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RM57L843: Possibility of Embedded OS and redundant ethernet link

Edgard Cansio
Intellectual 320 points
Part Number: RM57L843
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: AM4376, AM6548, DP83849I

Hello.

We're starting with the RM57L843 MCU and want to know if it's possible to use an embedded OS in this MCU.

In the past, we used the AM4376 MPU and there were possible to use some RTOS and also Linux features. Is this also valid for RM57L843?

Best regards,

Edgard

  • 0
    TI__Guru** 116170 points

    Edgard,

    Yes, it is possible to use a RTOS with RM57L843 but not Linux or Linux RT. Cortex R platforms doesn`t contain a MMU which allows it to manage fragmented memory as in case of Cortex A9 platform in AM437x devices.

    The available RTOS options for this family of devices are listed here:

    http://www.ti.com/microcontrollers/hercules-safety-mcus/design-development.html#3rd

    We support freeRTOS development on these devices and offer rich third party ecosystem if you prefer to use safety certified RTOS option. For FreeRTOS, I would recommend checking out this app note :

    http://www.ti.com/lit/an/spna237/spna237.pdf

    https://www.freertos.org/Free_RTOS_for_TI_RM48_and_TMS570.html

    TI RTOS is not supported for Hercules MCU devices as clarified by Chuck on this E2E thread 

    Regards,

    Rahul

     

  • 0 in reply to Rahul Prabhu
    Intellectual 320 points

    Rahul,

    Thank you for your prompt and clear answer! One of the reasons for asking about the possibility of use a Linux OS in this MCU was to use some communication libraries, in order to implement a second Ethernet interface.

    Is there another way to implement a second Ethernet interface? I know that the RM57L843 just has one Ethernet MAC interface, but I want to know if there is a way to implement another interface (MAC+PHY)

    Thank you.

    Regards,

    Edgard

  • 0 in reply to Edgard Cansio
    TI__Guru** 116170 points

    Edgard,

    Hercules MCUs are focused towards applications that require functional safety typically Linux OS is not used in these systems. Usually customers prefer to use RTOS or bare-metal software on these parts that are light weight and respond quickly to events on the safety MCU. 

    Let me check internally for recommendations. I do see some discussions around this requirement on Hercules MCUs here:

    https://e2e.ti.com/support/microcontrollers/hercules/f/312/p/777421/2875260

    https://e2e.ti.com/support/microcontrollers/hercules/f/312/t/472453?Looking-for-MCU-with-PTP-support-and-2-ethernet-ports

    Could you provide some details on why the second ethernet interface is required in the design. We do have some higher performance processors with integrated Cortex R5F for safety application. Please checkout the AM6548 device on ti.com that offer Cortex A53 (which run Linux OS) with multiple Ethernet ports and integrated safety island. However, Hercules MCU are designed to meet the highest functional safety requirement in applications . You can choose to pair safety MCUs with TI Processors or choice a platform that allows you to do both based on your usecase.

    Regards,

    Rahul  

     

  • 0 in reply to Rahul Prabhu
    Intellectual 320 points

    Rahul,

    One of the purposes that make us considering the RM57L843 MCU was its safety related features, once it is the core of our application. In other applications (such as communication ones), we already use a Cortex A9 based MPU (AM4376).

    My question about a possible second Ethernet interface was to use it exactly as a redundant link, in order to increase the availability.

    I started to read the thread that you send me and I'll continue to read in further details to check if the DP83849I transceiver meets our needs. I understood, in principle, that it can interface two physical Ethernet channels with a single MAC. Is it right?

    Thank you so for the support and, please, advise me about this and others possibilities.

    Regards,

    Edgard