Texas Instruments AM3703CUSA

Overview

AM3703CUSA from Texas Instruments is a Sitara™ ARM® Cortex™-A8 microprocessor operating up to 1 GHz with adaptive core voltage (0.9–1.2 V), integrated 256KB L2 cache, 32KB instruction/32KB data L1 cache, and 64KB on-chip SRAM. It supports Linux, Android, and Windows Embedded CE, and targets embedded applications requiring high-performance multimedia processing and real-time I/O control.

For engineers reviewing the AM3703CUSA datasheet, AM3703CUSA pinout, AM3703CUSA application, or AM3703CUSA equivalent, this page provides verified package mapping (423-pin s-PBGA, CUS suffix), confirmed peripheral integration (5 McBSPs, 4 McSPI, 3 I²C, 4 UARTs), thermal and power domain specifications, and validated alternative options for migration or second-sourcing.

Technical Context

The AM3703CUSA implements the ARMv7 architecture with TrustZone® security extensions, in-order dual-issue superscalar execution, NEON™ SIMD coprocessor, and Jazelle® RCT for Java acceleration. Its memory subsystem includes a 16-bit-wide SDRAM controller (SDRC) supporting LPDDR/DDR2, and a General Purpose Memory Controller (GPMC) with 8 chip selects for NAND/NOR flash, SRAM, and FPGA glueless interfacing.

Graphics acceleration is omitted in the AM3703CUSA (unlike AM3715), confirming its role as a cost-optimized MPU variant. Power management leverages SmartReflex™ AVS with dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS), supported by two independent SmartReflex control modules and dedicated voltage domains for MPU, IVA, and memory subsystems.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AM3703CUSA is housed in a 423-ball, 0.65 mm pitch, plastic ball grid array (s-PBGA) package designated CUS. The package has no top-side balls and uses a single-layer substrate layout optimized for signal integrity and thermal dissipation in high-density PCBs.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar ARM microprocessor applications.

Compared with AM3715CBB and AM3358BZCZ100, the AM3703CUSA offers optimal balance of legacy peripheral compatibility (McBSP sidetone, camera ISP) and cost for established designs migrating from OMAP3, while avoiding unnecessary GPU overhead or architectural discontinuity.

Availability

AM3703CUSA is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable data terminals, industrial HMIs, and medical imaging displays requiring stable component supply and long-term industrial lifecycle support.

Supply support for AM3703CUSA 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 headquartered in Dallas, Texas, specializing in analog, embedded processing, and connectivity technologies for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The AM37x Sitara™ MPU product line was designed to deliver scalable ARM-based performance for embedded applications requiring rich OS support, multimedia acceleration, and flexible peripheral integration - bridging the gap between application processors and microcontrollers.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the AM3703CUSA?

The AM3703CUSA operates at up to 1 GHz under specified thermal and voltage conditions. This frequency is achieved using adaptive core voltage scaling (0.9–1.2 V) managed by SmartReflex AVS. The actual sustained frequency depends on board-level thermal design and power delivery stability; TI's SPRS616F datasheet specifies timing margins and OPP (Operating Performance Point) tables for 300 MHz, 600 MHz, 800 MHz, and 1 GHz configurations. The AM3703CUSA achieves this performance within its 423-pin CUS package without requiring external cooling in typical industrial ambient conditions.

Does the AM3703CUSA include an integrated graphics accelerator?

No, the AM3703CUSA does not include the POWERVR SGX graphics accelerator. That feature is exclusive to the AM3715 variant. The AM3703CUSA retains the full display subsystem (DSS) with dual-output 3-layer composition, temporal dithering, and LCD/TV output support, but relies on CPU or software rendering for 2D/3D graphics. This makes the AM3703CUSA suitable for applications where display output is primarily static or video-based (e.g., medical imaging, HMIs), avoiding the cost and power overhead of unused GPU hardware.

What memory interfaces are supported by the AM3703CUSA?

The AM3703CUSA supports two primary memory interfaces: a 16-bit SDRAM Controller (SDRC) for LPDDR and DDR2 SDRAM, and a General Purpose Memory Controller (GPMC) with up to 8 chip selects for NAND flash (with hardware ECC), NOR flash, SRAM, and FPGA/CPLD devices. The SDRC includes a memory scheduler (SMS) and rotation engine for efficient burst access, while the GPMC provides asynchronous protocol flexibility and glueless interfacing - eliminating the need for external address latches or wait-state generators in most embedded memory architectures.

How many UARTs does the AM3703CUSA provide, and which support IrDA?

The AM3703CUSA integrates four UART modules. UART3 is the only one with integrated infrared data association (IrDA) support, including modulation/demodulation circuitry compliant with IrDA 1.0 physical layer specifications. UART3 also supports consumer infrared (CIR) functionality for remote control reception. All four UARTs operate at up to 3 Mbps and support RTS/CTS flow control; UART1 and UART2 are commonly used for debug console and RS-485 communication, respectively, while UART3 serves as the dedicated IR interface in portable and medical devices.

Is the AM3703CUSA pin-compatible with other Sitara processors like the AM335x series?

No, the AM3703CUSA is not pin-compatible with the AM335x series. It uses a 423-pin s-PBGA (CUS) package with a unique ball map defined in TI's SPRS616F datasheet, while AM335x devices use 324-pin or 361-pin packages with different power domain assignments, peripheral pinouts, and I/O voltage schemes. Migration from AM3703CUSA to AM3358 requires PCB redesign due to incompatible footprint, signal routing, and power sequencing requirements - though software porting is facilitated by shared ARM Cortex-A8 architecture and Linux BSP support.