New-Tech Magazine - Europe | January Digital edition

Cortex-A5

Picture Nu2 - Example of Proprietary System On Module based on I.MX6

Cortex-A8. The most popular application processor based on CortexA8 is TI’s Sitara family AM33xx and an example of System On Module based on the this solution is the VAR-SOM-AM33 from Variscite. Supporting the 1GHz Sitara™ AM335x ARM Cortex-A8 processor from Texas Instruments (TI) with a rich 2D/3D graphics accelerator, the VAR-SOM- AM33 provides a low-cost, powerful and flexible selection across the full spectrum of applications. Its feature set includes -40 to 85°C temperature range and dual CAN bus, making it ideal for industrial applications such as automotive, control systems, lighting, motor control and agriculture. With dual Ethernet, USB, touch controller, audio and Wi-Fi/BT, the VAR-SOM- AM33 is a highly integrated SoM in a very attractive price range. The ARM Cortex-A9 processor is a mature option having been introduced in 2008, and remains a very popular choice to enable the Internet of Things. As a single processor solution, the Cortex-A9 processor offers an overall performance enhancement of well above 50% compared to ARM Cortex-A8 solutions.

3 . Which ARM core (Cortex A5, A7, A8, A9, A57) and Example of SoM Cortex-A5 Processor The Cortex-A5 is the smallest, lowest cost and lowest power ARMv7 application processor and is supported by a suite of optimized IP targeted at mid-range solutions, bringing the highest efficiency levels and ease of integration. Popular application processors based on Cortex A5 include the Atmel SAMA5 family as used in the AT-501 System On Module from Shiratech. The AT-501 is an industrial embedded SoM that offers the optimal balance of the most power efficient Cortex-A to date with a high performance CPU running at 536 MHz and a floating point unit. The Memory is 32bit wide @ 166Mhz, 256 MB DDR2, extendable to 512MB. NAND Flash of 256MB extendable up to 1GB, and optional 4GB eMMC. Cortex-A8 Processor The Cortex-A8 was introduced to the market in 2005 as the first processor supporting the ARMv7-A architecture. The Mali™-400 provides a mid-range graphics processing option for the

Cortex-A8

Cortex-A9 Processor

Cortex-A7 Processor

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