AM5718: Hardware design queries

Lakshminarayana

Part Number: AM5718
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: AM5706, AM5708

Hi,

I want to use this AM5718AABCX Sitara based processor in my next project.

I have few queries regarding the H/W Design on Ethernet.

In my project I need to have 2 Ethernet Interface. As I can see from the Description It supports only one Ethernet Interface. But when I read the Ethernet Section It says GMAC_SW can be used as GMII and MII.

So it's indicating 2 Ethernet interface is possible. Am i right ?

If it supports only Single Ethernet Interface i'm planning to use External Ethernet controller and communicating with the processor via serial interfaces like i2c/SPI. For eg., - KSZ8851SNL/SNLI from the Microchip which has PHY and MAC inside.

But I'm concerned about the speed.

And I really want to know How Ethernet Controller (MAC) will be communicating with processor (Inbuilt Ethernet).

over 7 years ago

0 Biser Gatchev-XID over 7 years ago

TI__Guru**** 393215 points

Hi,

AM5718 does indeed have 2 external Ethernet ports on the GMAC-SW. You can use the AM571x IDK design for reference: www.ti.com/.../TMDXIDK5718

0 Lakshminarayana over 7 years ago in reply to Biser Gatchev-XID

Genius 3790 points

Thank you. As i can see from the reference design it supports upto 6 ethernet Is it so?
Could you please guide me to choose a processor with Dual Ethernet interface, 32 bit DDR Interface and PCI.
I have one more question regarding adding an external Ethernet controller and Interfacing it with the Processor via I2c/SPI interface. If I do this i'm concerned with the speed.

0 Biser Gatchev-XID over 7 years ago in reply to Lakshminarayana

TI__Guru**** 393215 points

1. Yes, 2 ports on the GMAC_SW and 4 PRU-ICSS ports.
2. AM5718 has all of these interfaces.
3. I don't see any need of an additional external Ethernet controller, but yes, it will be much slower.

0 Lakshminarayana over 7 years ago in reply to Biser Gatchev-XID

Genius 3790 points

Thanks for your reply.
I'm looking for a Sitara based processor which is under 20-25$ with above mentioned interfaces. But AM5718 seems to much costlier for my application.

0 Biser Gatchev-XID over 7 years ago in reply to Lakshminarayana

TI__Guru**** 393215 points

You can check AM5706 or AM5708, which are the cost-optimized options.

0 Lakshminarayana over 7 years ago in reply to Biser Gatchev-XID

Genius 3790 points

What's the difference between GMAC_SW and PRU-ICSS ?

0 Biser Gatchev-XID over 7 years ago in reply to Lakshminarayana

TI__Guru**** 393215 points

The PRU is a real-time processor, on which a software EMAC can be implemented. You will find detailed descriptions of both GMAC_SW and PRU-ICSS in the AM571x Technical Reference Manual, available on the product page.

0 Lakshminarayana over 7 years ago in reply to Biser Gatchev-XID

Genius 3790 points

Okay Thank you.

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AM5718: Hardware design queries