AM335x 1GB DDR3 support

alberto liberal

Other Parts Discussed in Thread: AM3352, AM3358

Hi, i would like to know which is the máximum DDR3 size allowed with AM335x processors. I am using the Beagle Bone Black as a reference for a design, but i would like to use a 1GB DDR3 memory instead the 512MB used in the BB Black. Could it be possible? Thanks in advance. Alberto

over 10 years ago

0 Michael S over 10 years ago

TI__Mastermind 21285 points

Hello Alberto,

From the AM335x TRM (spruh73i)

7.3 EMIF

7.3.1 Introduction

7.3.1.1 Features
The general features of the EMIF module are as follows:
• 16-bit data path to external SDRAM memory
• One 128-bit OCPIP 2.2 interface
• Support for the following memory types:
– mDDR (LPDDR1)
– DDR2
– DDR3
External memory configurations supported:
• Memory device capacity
– Up to 1G Byte addressability

0 alberto liberal over 10 years ago in reply to Michael S

Intellectual 625 points

Thanks, do you know any reference design using AM335x with 1GB DDR3? Any guidelines to replace 512MB DDR3 used in most boards for a 1GB DDR3?

0 Biser Gatchev-XID over 10 years ago in reply to alberto liberal

TI__Guru**** 393215 points

Hi Alberto,

Nothing special, this should be a drop-in replacement on the hardware side, possibly retuning of DDR3 parameters will be needed. The real issue here is that this will either need to be:

1) A single 512Mx16 chip with ONE chip select, and these are just beginning to arrive, e.g. Micron still doesn't offer them.

2) Two 512Mx8 chips, which would require fly-by routing and Vtt termination, i.e. more difficult routing and more expensive

0 alberto liberal over 10 years ago in reply to Biser Gatchev-XID

Intellectual 625 points

Thanks!

0 Nanthan raj over 9 years ago in reply to Biser Gatchev-XID

Intellectual 260 points

Dear Biser,

Now,512Mx16 DDR3 chip with one chip select available from "Intelligent Memory".

We need to achieve 1Gbyte DDR3 memory density interfacing to AM335x processor using single DDR3 chip on our design.

Could you confirm this 8Gbit DDR3 chip IM8G16D3EBBG can be used on AM3352 processor?

Regards,

Nanthan.

0 Biser Gatchev-XID over 9 years ago in reply to Nanthan raj

TI__Guru**** 393215 points

From hardware perspective it can be attached to the AM335X EMIF, but this part has not been tested by TI so I cannot say whether it will work or not.

0 Jonathan Brodeur over 8 years ago in reply to Biser Gatchev-XID

Prodigy 20 points

I'm trying to do the same thing, connect a 1GB ddr3 memory (alliance memory 512M16) to my AM3358 and it doesn't communicate with the memory. Is anybody have an idea ? or have the parameter to set in the EMIF to make it work ?

Thanks

0 Brad Griffis over 8 years ago in reply to Jonathan Brodeur

TI__Guru*** 125430 points

Jonathan,

That's a very broad question. I have put together a wiki page to help a bit with these types of issues:

processors.wiki.ti.com/.../Common_DDR_Issues

If you can help us understand in what way it's failing (i.e. does it fall into one of the groups discussed above) then perhaps we can better direct you to the solution.

Brad

0 Steve Deschryver over 7 years ago in reply to Biser Gatchev-XID

Expert 1115 points

Dear Biser,

Is there a list of approved 1GB DDR3 (16bits) by TI available for the AM335x processors ? Or maybe a suggestion of a type we could test ourselves ?

We are using a 512MB 16bits DDR3 device today and would like to increase the memory size.

I found a device from ISSI with same footprint but : 8G 512Mx16 DDR3 IS43TR16512A 1.5V

Appreciate your answer.

0 Brad Griffis over 7 years ago in reply to Steve Deschryver

TI__Guru*** 125430 points

Check Section 7.3.1.1 "Features" of the TRM. There is a subsection there called "External memory configurations supported". You can check that over if you want to be sure it will work. I've not yet come across any DDR3 devices that are incompatible with the AM335x.

0 Steve Deschryver over 7 years ago in reply to Brad Griffis

Expert 1115 points

Thanks Brad,

So 1GB total DDR3 ram is supported on the AMM335x ?

Up to now I never found a board with more than 512MB on it of the shelve.

0 Brad Griffis over 7 years ago in reply to Steve Deschryver

TI__Guru*** 125430 points

Rev 1.5 of the AM335x EVM switched from DDR2 to DDR3. It has 1 GB of DDR3 (two x8 memories). The current revision is Rev 1.6, which still has 1 GB of DDR3.

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AM335x 1GB DDR3 support