XAM3715CBC

Hi Paul,

In case no speed grade is given you will get the 800MHz version. The 1GHz version willl be ending at 100 - See page 251 of http://focus.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/am3715.pdf

The pads on the top of the package is for attaching memory (LPDDR) and storage (NAND/NOR/etc.) using PoP (Package on Package). For further info on PoP this please see http://focus.ti.com/lit/an/sprabb3/sprabb3.pdf and http://focus.ti.com/lit/an/spraba8/spraba8.pdf. Please as well take care, that your only possibility of adding DDR to the system (using the CBC and CBP package) is using PoP (as opposed to the CBB package used for OMAP35xx).

Best regards - Good luck
  Søren

So if I were to want to use Flash Memory in my application, such as:

http://www.sst.com/products/?inode=41549

I could install it on the top of the CBC chip? That would certainly make my life a lot easier.

Hi Paul,

You are nearly right :-) It's correct that using PoP is fairly easy when getting used to the process and finding a production partner who "dares" to give it a try - Not fully common - yet. Likewise with respect to memory routing and EMI problems, which are as well nearly removed by PoP (since no routing of DDR/Flash lines are needed :-)

You are however wrong with respect to the choosen device, since it needs to fit the standardized PoP package layout in order to fit and solder directly on top of the AM37xx chip. You can get such chips from most of the major memory providers, and normally they are MCP (Multi Chip Packages) meaning, that one chips contain a combination of Flash (normally NOR/NAND) and RAM (normally LPDDR).

Hope this clarified your question? Good luck
  Søren

That clarifies my question for me. However, your comment about "daring" to try to do the PoP setup. I would prefer something that's simple to put together that I can get any PCB assembler to do for me. I think there is a different AM3715 architecture that isn't PoP, however I don't see an option to order those. I really only will need one for now to build a prototype, preferably the 1000 MHz processor. Does anyone know where I can get a "sample" of this processor to build a prototype with? Thank you.

Paul

Hi Paul.

I don't know about the availability of the CUS (non PoP) package. That being said, the PoP packages have many advantages and I would definitely prefer using them for a new product. Routing, Signal Integrity and Size being the most significant advantages. PoP packages are unfortunately not yet mainstream and many assembly houses haven't dealt with them before => They might either be reluctant to try or fail their first attempt (unless guided :-). It's however not that difficult as one might think, but as with all other enginering it takes skills and practice to get it right.

The two presentations I linked to previously as well as http://jkridner.s3.amazonaws.com/esc/ESC-120Slides_Kridner.ppt and http://beagle.s3.amazonaws.com/esc/Lessons-esc-chicago-2010.pdf have great information about how to do fine pitch BGA (0.4mm) and PoP successfully - AM3715 is however 0.5mm and thereby a little easier to handle (but you still need to take care :-).

I'm not writing this to scare you off, but to let you know that doing HW/PCBs for newer BGA chips isn't as easy as it was 5-10 years ago - Unfortunately :-)

I hope this helps you forward - Best regards - Good luck - Go for it
  Søren

I live in a town with the highest concentration of engineers and PhDs per capita in the country. Yet, I have been unable to find someone who can print a circuit board or assemble it for me (granted, all I did was do an Internet search, but still, it's a little disheartening). I don't need to actually start building anything, yet, and in the meantime, I'll try to find someone who can assemble the thing for me. Thank you for all your help.

Paul