Texas Instruments TMS320VC5471ZHKA

Overview

TMS320VC5471ZHKA from Texas Instruments is a dual-core fixed-point digital signal processor integrating a 100-MIPS TMS320C54x DSP core and an ARM7TDMI RISC MCU core in a single 257-ball BGA package. It features 32 KB on-chip RAM, McBSP serial interface, DMA controller, Ethernet MAC (MII), UART, SPI, I²C, and SDRAM controller - enabling real-time signal processing with embedded system control in telecom infrastructure and industrial communications.

For engineers reviewing the TMS320VC5471ZHKA datasheet, TMS320VC5471ZHKA pinout, TMS320VC5471ZHKA application, or TMS320VC5471ZHKA equivalent, key selection criteria include dual-core coherency via ARM Port Interface (API), 3.3-V I/O with 1.8-V core supply, industrial temperature range (–40°C to 85°C), and support for boot-from-SDRAM or API-boot modes.

Technical Context

The TMS320VC5471ZHKA implements tightly coupled dual-subsystem architecture: the C54x DSP executes signal-processing algorithms with Harvard memory bus, 40-bit ALU, and circular buffering; the ARM7TDMI handles high-level protocol stack management, peripheral control, and host interface coordination. Both subsystems share memory space through the ARM Port Interface (API) with configurable bank mapping and arbitration logic.

Timing is managed via independent clock domains: the DSP uses a PLL-enabled clock path supporting multiply-by-N (×1 to ×16) or divide-by-2/4 options, while the MCU derives clocks from internal dividers and external sources. Memory interfaces include synchronous DRAM (16-bit data bus, CAS latency 2/3), parallel I/O, and external memory expansion with programmable wait-state generation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 257-ball MicroStar BGA (GHK), 17 mm × 17 mm, 1.0-mm ball pitch, RoHS-compliant plastic body. Thermal pad exposed on bottom for enhanced heat dissipation in high-throughput DSP applications.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar dual-core DSP+MCU applications.

Compared with TMS320C6713BZDHA and OMAP-L138AZWT, the TMS320VC5471ZHKA uniquely delivers tightly synchronized fixed-point DSP and ARM7 control in one die with integrated MII, enabling lower BOM cost and deterministic sub-100 µs inter-core latency without external bus arbitration.

Availability

TMS320VC5471ZHKA is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for voice over IP gateways, industrial protocol converters, telecom line cards, and smart grid communication nodes requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for TMS320VC5471ZHKA 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 leader specializing in analog, embedded processing, and digital signal processing technologies, with decades of heritage in DSP innovation.

The TMS320VC5471ZHKA belongs to TI's C5000™ fixed-point DSP platform, designed specifically for cost-sensitive, power-efficient embedded systems requiring real-time signal processing combined with intelligent control - especially in telecom infrastructure and industrial networking.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the TMS320VC5471ZHKA DSP core?

The TMS320VC5471ZHKA DSP core operates at up to 100 MHz, delivering 100 million instructions per second (MIPS). This frequency is achieved using the on-chip PLL with a multiply-by-N configuration (e.g., ×4 with 25-MHz CLKIN). The actual achievable speed depends on voltage stability, thermal conditions, and PCB layout integrity - all specified under recommended operating conditions in the SPRS180C datasheet. The TMS320VC5471ZHKA maintains full functionality across its industrial temperature range.

Does the TMS320VC5471ZHKA support booting from external SDRAM?

Yes, the TMS320VC5471ZHKA supports booting from external SDRAM via the ARM Port Interface (API) boot mode. In this mode, the ARM7TDMI core initializes first, configures the SDRAM controller, and loads the DSP program image into on-chip RAM before launching the DSP. This capability is documented in Section 4.6.2 ("DSP Boot Mode") of the SPRS180C data manual and enables flexible firmware updates without reprogramming flash memory. The TMS320VC5471ZHKA requires proper SDRAM initialization sequence timing per JEDEC standards.

What interfaces does the TMS320VC5471ZHKA provide for Ethernet connectivity?

The TMS320VC5471ZHKA integrates a full Media Independent Interface (MII) compliant Ethernet MAC, supporting 10/100 Mbps operation. It provides all required MII signals (TXD[3:0], RXD[3:0], TX_EN, RX_DV, CRS, COL, TX_CLK, RX_CLK, MDIO, MDC) directly on dedicated pins - no external PHY interface logic is needed. The ARM core handles MAC-layer packet assembly and TCP/IP stack processing, while the DSP core may assist with timestamping or QoS classification. This MII implementation is verified in the TMS320VC5471ZHKA's electrical timing tables (Section 6.14).

Can the McBSP on the TMS320VC5471ZHKA operate as a standard SPI interface?

Yes, the Multichannel Buffered Serial Port (McBSP) on the TMS320VC5471ZHKA can be configured as a standard SPI master or slave by setting CLKSTP = 10b or 11b and CLKXP = 0 or 1 in the SPCR register. Timing diagrams for all four SPI configurations (e.g., CPOL=0/1, CPHA=0/1) are provided in Tables 6–20 through 6–27 of the SPRS180C datasheet. This eliminates the need for external SPI bridge ICs and allows direct connection to SPI flash, ADCs, or DACs - a key design value confirmed for the TMS320VC5471ZHKA.

What is the purpose of the ARM Port Interface (API) in the TMS320VC5471ZHKA?

The ARM Port Interface (API) in the TMS320VC5471ZHKA is a hardware-implemented memory-mapped bridge that enables coherent, low-latency data exchange between the ARM7TDMI and C54x DSP subsystems. It supports shared memory access, interrupt forwarding, and bank-switching control - allowing both cores to read/write common buffers without software-managed mailbox protocols. This architecture reduces inter-core latency to under 100 ns and is essential for real-time applications like VoIP where the TMS320VC5471ZHKA must synchronize audio frame processing with SIP signaling.