AM2434: PRU-ICSS TI "Blackbox" Firmware: non-EIP Protocol

Jeffrey Suchynsky

Part Number: AM2434

Tool/software:

Hi Expert,

I understand that the PRU-ICSS is loaded with "blackbox" Ethernet/IP FW from TI which provides cut-through packet forwarding and other features. I am curious if there are any dependencies on Ethernet/IP specifically for this packet forwarding. Would the PRU_ICSS FW support cut-through packet forwarding if a different ethernet-based protocol was used instead of Ethernet/IP?

Looking at the SDK 08.05.00 documentation, I believe this blackbox FW would work with a protocol other than Ethernet/IP, as long as it is ethernet-based. Is this understanding correct?

over 1 year ago

0 Nitika Verma over 1 year ago

TI__Expert 7385 points

Hi Jeffrey,

I have assigned your thread to the subject expert. They will get back to you.

Thank you for your patience.

Regards,

Nitika

0 Archit Dev over 1 year ago

TI__Expert 3200 points

Hi Jeffrey,

The EthernetIP firwmare has some special handling for frames belonging the Device Level Ring (DLR) protocol and Precision Time Protocol (PTP - E2E Type). Apart from these, there isn't any special handling of frames.

Can you tell us what is the Ethernet based protocol that you're trying to implement with the EthernetIP firmware?

Also, for getting started with new development, it is recommended to use the latest version of the Industrial Communications SDK (currently, ver 9.2) from here : https://www.ti.com/tool/download/INDUSTRIAL-COMMUNICATIONS-SDK-AM243X/09.02.00.08

Regards
Archit Dev

0 Jeffrey Suchynsky over 1 year ago in reply to Archit Dev

Prodigy 50 points

Hello,

Thanks for the info. Sounds like the blackbox FW in the PRU will work fine for us then.

We will be running a custom protocol involving Protobuf at the application layer, but it will be over ethernet at the lower layer.

Currently, we have TI AM24X SDK 8.05.

Thank you

0 Archit Dev over 1 year ago in reply to Jeffrey Suchynsky

TI__Expert 3200 points

Hi Jeffery,

Glad to know that the PRU Firmware for EthernetIP will work for you.

Additionally, for generic Ethernet you can also use the Common Port SWitch (CPSW) peripheral. It provides IEEE 802.3 standard Ethernet gigabit speed packet communication for the device and can also be configured as an Ethernet switch. It supports RGMII and RMII Interfaces.

More details about the CPSW can be found in the datasheet and Technical Reference Manual (TRM) on the product page : https://www.ti.com/product/AM2434

Regards
Archit Dev

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AM2434: PRU-ICSS TI "Blackbox" Firmware: non-EIP Protocol