Texas Instruments AM3517AZER

Overview

AM3517AZER from Texas Instruments is a 600-MHz ARM Cortex-A8 microprocessor with PowerVR SGX graphics accelerator, 256KB L2 cache, 64KB on-chip SRAM, and integrated display subsystem supporting NTSC/PAL video output. It features DDR2/mDDR memory controller (166 MHz, 1GB address space), USB OTG + multiport USB host, 10/100 Ethernet MAC, HECC CAN controller, and 186 GPIOs - deployed in industrial HMIs, digital signage, and portable media players.

For engineers reviewing the AM3517AZER datasheet, AM3517AZER pinout, AM3517AZER application, or AM3517AZER equivalent, key selection criteria include its 484-pin PBGA (23×23 mm, 1-mm pitch) package, 1.2V core voltage, dual-voltage I/O (1.8V/3.3V), and support for Linux®, Android™, and Windows® CE operating systems.

Technical Context

The AM3517AZER implements an in-order, dual-issue, superscalar ARMv7 architecture with NEON SIMD and VFP coprocessors, delivering >2× ARMv6 SIMD performance. Its memory subsystem includes 16KB/16KB L1 instruction/data caches, 256KB unified L2 cache, and SDRAM Memory Scheduler (SMS) with rotation engine for efficient DDR2/mDDR access.

On-chip interconnect uses hierarchical L3/L4 networks to coordinate high-bandwidth transfers between MPU, PowerVR SGX, display, VPFE, and peripherals. Clock management integrates multiple DPLLs (MPU, PER, CORE) with programmable dividers and dynamic branch prediction using global history buffer and return stack.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AM3517AZER is housed in a 484-pin Plastic Ball Grid Array (PBGA) package measuring 23.2 mm × 23.2 mm with 1-mm ball pitch. The package supports via-in-pad routing and thermal dissipation via exposed die attach pad.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar ARM-based application processor applications.

Compared with AM3505AZER, AM3517AZER adds 3D graphics capability essential for rich UIs; versus i.MX535CJM10A, it provides integrated analog video output and tighter industrial temperature support but at lower peak CPU frequency.

Availability

AM3517AZER is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial HMIs, digital signage, and portable media players requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for AM3517AZER includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company specializing in analog, embedded processing, and wireless technologies with over 90 years of innovation in industrial, automotive, and consumer electronics.

The AM3517AZER belongs to TI's Sitara™ ARM processor family, designed specifically for cost-sensitive, high-performance embedded applications requiring rich graphics, video, and connectivity in industrial and human-machine interface markets.

FAQ

What is the core voltage requirement for the AM3517AZER?

The AM3517AZER requires a regulated 1.2V supply for its VDD_CORE pins. This voltage powers the ARM Cortex-A8 CPU core and L1/L2 caches. Deviation beyond ±3% may cause instability or reduced performance. TI recommends using dedicated low-noise DC/DC converters with tight transient response and local ceramic decoupling capacitors placed near each VDD_CORE ball. The AM3517AZER datasheet specifies 1.2V as the nominal core voltage under recommended operating conditions.

Does the AM3517AZER support HDMI output natively?

No, the AM3517AZER does not support HDMI output natively. It provides parallel RGB, NTSC/PAL composite, and S-Video analog video outputs through its integrated display subsystem. HDMI requires TMDS signaling and HDCP compliance, which are not implemented in the AM3517AZER. To achieve HDMI connectivity, an external bridge IC such as the TI TFP410 or Parade PS8301 must be used to convert RGB+sync signals to HDMI. The AM3517AZER itself contains no HDMI transmitter hardware.

How many UART interfaces does the AM3517AZER include?

The AM3517AZER includes four UART interfaces. One UART supports infrared modes (IrDA and CIR), while the others provide standard asynchronous serial communication. All four UARTs are accessible via dedicated pins in both ZCN and ZER packages and support programmable baud rates, hardware flow control (RTS/CTS), and FIFO buffering. These UARTs are commonly used for debugging console, GPS modules, barcode scanners, and legacy industrial equipment interfacing in AM3517AZER-based designs.

What is the maximum DDR2 memory speed supported by the AM3517AZER?

The AM3517AZER supports DDR2 memory operation at up to 166 MHz (333 MT/s). This corresponds to a 16-bit or 32-bit wide interface with 1GB total addressable space. The SDRC (Synchronous Dynamic RAM Controller) includes a memory scheduler and rotation engine optimized for burst transfers and low-latency access. TI's reference design validates stability with Micron MT47H64M16HR-37E and similar DDR2-667 components. Higher speeds are not supported due to fixed PLL and timing constraints in the AM3517AZER silicon.

Is the AM3517AZER pin-compatible with the AM3505AZER?

Yes, the AM3517AZER and AM3505AZER are pin-compatible within the same package variant (e.g., ZER-to-ZER or ZCN-to-ZCN). Both share identical ball maps, power domains, and peripheral pin assignments. The only functional difference is the presence of the PowerVR SGX graphics accelerator in the AM3517AZER - all other subsystems (CPU, memory controllers, USB, EMAC, etc.) are identical. This allows drop-in replacement in existing PCB layouts when upgrading graphics capability without redesign.