TIDEP0032 application for AM64x family

Pekka, thank you so much for your answer. I'm really interested in AM64x family but i need some help, if possible, in porting TIDEP0032 application [that was available for AM335x family] to AM64x family. Are you thinking to port this application [or somthing similar] to this new family?

Dear Pekka,

as i told you we should implement an application, similar to TIDEP0032 example, able to recognize the industrial active protocol on the network and to download it from a flash memory when recgnized.

1-For this kind of application which is the best choice between AM64x and AM243x family? I mean, which are the main differences between these two families? [i need to buy the best eval board to start to implement this solution]

2-I've understood that you [TI] are not thinking to port TIDEP0032 application to AM64x family and so i'll try to make it but could you please help me if i'll have problems in making it even if it's an old application?

Many thanks and regards!

Andrea,

The TIDEP0032 protocol detection example is detailed in section 4.3 of https://www.ti.com/lit/ug/tidua28a/tidua28a.pdf . The demo is just looking at the Ethertype field of Ethernet frames in the network. Algorithm checks is the Ethertype of frames in the network to be one of the well known ones reserved for some of the protocols. Further if the Ethertype is IP it then further checks for a MAC address to be from the range allocated to Rockwell automation. This sequence is not exhaustive or robust to detect what protocol is being used in the general case. For example, just because an IP packet came from a MAC address allocated to Rockwell, it does not mean there is a EtherNet/IP network. For a demo it is fine, and you can copy that approach over to AM64x. From Linux you can achieve the same by using tcpdump to capture the Ethertypes (and MAC addresses) of frames and make choice based on that. Same sequence can be done on the R5 without any special firmware in the ICSS.

The industrial network capability on AM243x and AM64x is identical. Both use ICSSG with firmware from TI and with the industrial communications toolkit software from TI on the R5 to run the device side stack. AM64x adds the ability to run Linux on the A53's.

Industrial Ethernet networks are engineered networks with a strict hierarchy of a controller (master) and multiple devices (slaves), the concept of just plug in without knowing what the network protocol is fairly far from the highly tuned nature of the network configuration.

  Pekka

Ok Pekka thank you so much. Just the last question : so for trying to simulate an ethercat or eternet ip slave device i can buy just a AM243x starter kit [www.ti.com/.../LP-AM243] without buying the general purpose version [www.ti.com/.../TMDS243GPEVM]. Right?

Many thanks!

Andrea

No the SK is not usable for the industrial communications toolkit, the industrial Ethernet ports are not connected to an Ethernet PHY.

You need https://www.ti.com/tool/TMDS243GPEVM or https://www.ti.com/tool/TMDS64GPEVM . Or if you are doing R5 only product you can also use https://www.ti.com/tool/LP-AM243 .

See the MCU academy in industrial communications toolkit https://dev.ti.com/tirex/explore/node?node=AJipVMXfVvuEkO-U7l2wDg__6zyEKJF__LATEST and section "What You Will Need" to get started. That link is to the EtherCAT section, there are similar sections for PROFINET and EtherNet/IP.

  Pekka

Hi Pekka, thank you for your answer. I asked you if it was possible to use https://www.ti.com/tool/LP-AM243 because in "What You Will Need" section [see the attached image] the AL-AM243 board is used as example of an Ethercat slave device

What is a "R5" only product?

Many thanks

Andrea

Andrea Migliaccio said:

asked you if it was possible to use https://www.ti.com/tool/LP-AM243 because in "What You Will Need" section [see the attached image] the AL-AM243 board is used as example of an Ethercat slave device

Yes. Note the LP board has the smaller package AM243x which means you're application will need to be sized to fit in QSPI flash and the internal memory only. This is supported by the protocols from TI. But as a development platform the full GP EVM will allow you to avoid needing to compromise for memory consumption.

Andrea Migliaccio said:

What is a "R5" only product?

I meant the software for the industrial Ethernet protocols (PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT) runs on the R5 cores only, not needing the A53's.

  Pekka