After launching integrated PROFIBUS and EtherCAT solutions in 2010 and 2011, Texas Instruments now provides hardware and software tools specifically focused on industrial communications and control applications using the Sitara™ AM335x ARM Cortex-A8 microprocessors. These new solutions allow developers to ease and accelerate their industrial automation designs.

ICE

  •  AM3359 Industrial Communications Engine (TMDXICE3359) – This small 7cmx9cm board comes with RTOS based industrial software development kit (SDK) and enables EtherCAT communications right out-of-the-box. It is targeted for end equipment such as industrial communications modules, sensors, I/O devices, and more. The hardware resources enable you to evaluate not just EtherCAT, but also CAN and PROFIBUS interfaces with included evaluation copies of the protocol stacks for supported communication standards. With an attractive price of USD 99 and integrated USB based JTAG debugger, the Industrial Communications Engine (ICE) helps get started in no time!
  • AM3359 Industrial Development Kit (TMDXIDK3359) – IDKThe Industrial Development Kit (IDK) is a full featured development platform for industrial automation available for USD 895. It includes the industrial software development kit (SDK) and enables not just industrial communications but also sophisticated applications such as motor control using the integrated PWM controllers, motor drivers and ADCs for motor feedback. The RTOS based software development kit and a copy of Code Composer Studio are included in this development kit.

For more information on these boards and to learn how they can help reduce your development time, head over to TI’s E2E support forums to join the conversation with other engineers. We look forward to helping you integrate the AM335x microprocessors in your next industrial design! Share with us how you plan to use these new tools.

Maneesh Soni is Industrial Automation Systems Engineering Lead for Texas Instruments.