Texas Instruments AM4378BZDN100

Overview

AM4378BZDN100 from Texas Instruments is a high-performance Sitara™ ARM® Cortex®-A9 microprocessor operating at 1 GHz, integrating dual 12-bit SAR ADCs, six eHRPWM modules, three eQEP modules, PRU-ICSS for industrial Ethernet protocols (EtherCAT, PROFINET), and PowerVR SGX530 3D graphics. It supports LPDDR2/DDR3/DDR3L memory and targets industrial HMI, motor control, and barcode scanning systems.

For engineers reviewing the AM4378BZDN100 datasheet, AM4378BZDN100 pinout, AM4378BZDN100 application, or AM4378BZDN100 equivalent, key selection factors include its 1-GHz Cortex-A9 core, dual ADC with TSC capability, PRU-ICSS real-time subsystem, 491-ball NFBGA package, and industrial temperature range (–40°C to +105°C).

Technical Context

The AM4378BZDN100 implements a dual-core-capable ARM Cortex-A9 CPU subsystem with 32KB L1 I/D cache and configurable 256KB L2 cache or L3 RAM, paired with a dedicated PRU-ICSS for deterministic real-time processing independent of the ARM core. Its memory subsystem includes 32-bit DDR3/DDR3L/LPDDR2 interfaces (400-MHz clock, DDR-800 data rate) and GPMC supporting NAND/NOR/SRAM with up to 16-bit ECC.

Graphics and display are handled by the PowerVR SGX530 engine (20M triangles/sec) and programmable display subsystem supporting up to 2048×2048 resolution, RGB/YUV formats, and integrated touch-screen controller (TSC) on ADC0. Security includes crypto accelerators (AES, SHA, RNG) and secure boot-though the latter is restricted to AM437xHS variants, not the AM4378BZDN100.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AM4378BZDN100 uses a 491-ball NFBGA (ZDN suffix) package with 17 mm × 17 mm body size and 0.65-mm ball pitch, featuring via-channel array technology for simplified PCB routing and thermal performance suitable for industrial applications.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AM4379BZDN100, the AM4378BZDN100 provides guaranteed operation at +105°C - critical for enclosed industrial enclosures - while matching all peripherals and PRU-ICSS capabilities; versus AM4376BZDN800, it delivers 25% higher CPU throughput for complex UI or multitasked control without changing layout or firmware architecture.

Availability

AM4378BZDN100 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial HMI, motor control, and barcode scanning applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and industrial temperature qualification.

Supply support for AM4378BZDN100 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 designing analog, embedded processor, and connectivity solutions for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The AM437x family - including AM4378BZDN100 - was engineered for industrial edge devices needing real-time protocol offload, rich graphics, and deterministic control, bridging the gap between microcontrollers and application processors.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating temperature specification for the AM4378BZDN100?

The AM4378BZDN100 is rated for operation from –40°C to +105°C, making it suitable for demanding industrial environments such as factory automation cabinets or outdoor kiosks. This extended temperature range is confirmed in the official AM437x datasheet SPRS851E, Table 3-1, and distinguishes it from the AM4379BZDN100 (–40°C to +90°C). The AM4378BZDN100 maintains full functionality across this range, including PRU-ICSS real-time operation and ADC accuracy.

Does the AM4378BZDN100 support secure boot functionality?

No, the AM4378BZDN100 does not support secure boot. Secure boot is exclusively available on AM437x High-Security (HS) variants, which are designated with an 'HS' suffix and require separate ordering. The AM4378BZDN100 includes crypto accelerators (AES, SHA, RNG) but lacks the secure control module (SCM), fuse farm security keys, and secure debug disable features required for authenticated boot. For secure boot requirements, TI recommends evaluating AM437xHS devices.

Which display interfaces does the AM4378BZDN100 support natively?

The AM4378BZDN100 supports native parallel RGB/YUV display output via its Display Subsystem (DSS), including programmable pixel formats (RGB 16-/24-bit, YUV 4:2:2), up to 2048×2048 resolution, dithering, gamma correction, and partial refresh. It also supports Remote Frame Buffer Interface (RFBI) for embedded panel memory and TDM output on 8-/9-/12-/16-bit buses. No external bridge IC is needed for standard LVDS or RGB-TTL panels, though MIPI DSI requires companion PHY.

Can the AM4378BZDN100 run Linux and real-time tasks simultaneously?

Yes, the AM4378BZDN100 supports concurrent Linux execution and hard real-time tasks using its dual-programmable PRU-ICSS subsystem. While the ARM Cortex-A9 runs Linux (e.g., TI's SDK with PREEMPT_RT patches), the PRUs handle time-critical functions like EtherCAT I/O scanning, PWM generation, or encoder counting - independently clocked at 200 MHz with deterministic sub-100-µs latency. This separation avoids Linux scheduling jitter affecting control loops.

What memory types and configurations are supported by the AM4378BZDN100?

The AM4378BZDN100 supports 32-bit LPDDR2 (266-MHz clock), DDR3/DDR3L (400-MHz clock), and general-purpose memory via GPMC (NAND, NOR, SRAM) with up to 16-bit ECC. It addresses up to 2 GB of external memory and allows flexible configurations: one x32, two x16, or four x8 memory devices. On-chip memory includes 256KB L2 cache (configurable as L3 RAM), 64KB on-chip RAM, and 256KB OCMC RAM - all accessible by ARM and PRUs.