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SmartReflex in AM335x

Other Parts Discussed in Thread: TPS65910, TPS65910A, TPS65217

Hi,

I am sorry to ask such a basic question!

Is it mandatory to use the smart reflex technology in AM335x devices?

  • Hello,

    No, it's optional.

  • I'll add a little more information.  Shin is correct that it is optional.

    AM335x samples are not yet characterized for SmartReflex, therefore that feature would not be enabled until a future software release.

    SmartReflex is an optimization of operating voltage per device.  Silicon manufacturing processes yield devices with a distribution of performance capability.  Certain devices that are "hot" or "strong" can meet a given frequency requirement at a lower voltage.  SmartReflex finds that optimal voltage, providing power savings.

  • Hello Shin and Greg,


    Thank you very much for the detailed explanation,
    With the above answers I understood that smartreflex is not mandatory,
    but will be usefull for the optimization of operating voltage per device.

    Meanwhile, you said "AM335x samples are not yet characterized for SmartReflex"
    please let me know when this will be finalized.
    We shall continue our design assuming AM335x without smartreflex feature.
    
    
    Regards.
  • Hello Shin and Greg

    Is there any progress here? The documentation found about smart reflex on am335x with TPS65910 is very poor on this point.

    We would like to start a new design and I am missing detailed documentation on this feature.

    Best regards

    Johannes

  • Hi Greg,

    Where are the details about SmartReflex for Am335x?

    I do not know how SmartReflex is performed in AM335x.

    Best regards,

    Daisuke

     

  • Hello,

    Any news on the SmartReflex topic? As I'm new to this I'm unshure if SmartReflex is implemented in hardware in the AM335x or if it has to be a software running on the AM335x that does all the communications with the Power Management IC (like TPS65910A) on I2C and all the calculations on how high to set the voltage.

    A previous post of mine asked on how to set the MPU frequency to 720MHz on let's say an ICE board and if there are exemples on how to set the correct voltage.
    Setting the MPU frequency is easy so our ICE board runs with 720MHz now but with the default MPU voltage of 1.2V instead of 1.26V.
    Maybe it's by chance working?

    Best regards,
    Patrick

  • SmartReflex is performed by software running on the AM335x that communicates with the voltage regulator (TPS65910 or TPS65217) to optimize the voltage.  If you were seeing 1.2V at 720MHz, it is very likely that SmartReflex was enabled.  

    Please refer to wiki documentation: http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/Power_Management_Users_Guide.  The SmartReflex section shows that you can check for the presence of SmartReflex by mounting the debug filesystem, and then performing 'cat /debug/smartreflex/autocomp'.  If you get a '1', SmartReflex is enabled.

    For further info, I am providing a link to another useful forum post regarding SmartReflex:  http://e2e.ti.com/support/dsp/sitara_arm174_microprocessors/f/791/t/234498.aspx