AM5708: Processor selection

Antonio Faggio

Expert 8050 points

Part Number: AM5708
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: DRA726, AM5728, AM5718, TMDXIDK5718, TMDSEVM572X

Hi All,

I need your advice for a single board computer application which manages the HMI Touch Screen display.

I sent to Rogerio in private email the confidential block diagram of this application.

The first socket to define is the processor.

Main specs for the processor to look at are:

Linux Operating System

Graphic Accelerator for the Play-Video feature to support HTML5 in full HD
Multi-Core if possible
512Mb RAM
2-4Gb Flash, better if scalable (1Gb RAM, 8Gb Flash for the performance solution)
Communication Interfaces:

5x UART (1x debug for Linux Console)

1x 10/100/1000 Mb Ethernet

2x I2X

2x USB 2.0

Able to manage a WiFi-BLE module

2x CAN Bus (data rate up to 1Mbit/s), better if separated: 1 for internal peripherals and the other one for external modules

1x SPI for Touch Screen

1x LVDS/HDMI/RGB

1x Analog Audio Output (Optional)

One of the main spec is to have the OS Linux. Indeed customer was using NXP platform i.MX 8 and 6 series but the Chromium browser did not support the graphic and video accelerators. In particular GPU (Graphic) was supported but not the VPU (Video).

Could you please recommend me any processor that might fit the above specs? Also any TIDesign or AppNote could be interesting.

I was thinking at SITARA AM5708 or even DRA726.

Are you aware whether our processor AM5708 might support the above specs?

Many Thanks,

Antonio

over 6 years ago

0 Antonio Faggio over 6 years ago

TI__Expert 8050 points

Same question for DRA726

0 Rogerio Almeida over 6 years ago in reply to Antonio Faggio

TI__Mastermind 26215 points

Antonio,

If multicore is needed, AM5728 is the right part, otherwise AM5708 can do the job.

You question regarding Chromium will need to be replied by our apps expert that is traveling this week. But you can find more details on which version of Chromium is supported here.

https://e2e.ti.com/support/processors/f/791/t/788645?tisearch=e2e-quicksearch&keymatch=chromium

0 Antonio Faggio over 6 years ago in reply to Rogerio Almeida

TI__Expert 8050 points

Hi,

Thank you for reply.

I still have some questions:

1) Regarding the EVM customer can use to test AM5708 or AM5728 which one do you recommend me?

I see these EVMs:

AM572x Evaluation Module: http://www.ti.com/tool/TMDSEVM572X#buy

AM571x Industrial Development Kit (IDK)

AM57x IDK LCD Kit

No one is referred to AM5708 but only AM5718 and AM5728. Do we have EVM for AM5708? If not which one should I use to test AM5708? In case I use AM5728 EVM can I switch off 1x MPU, 1x GPU and 1x DSP so to simulate the AM5708 behaviour?

2) If customer downloads from our website the Linux SDK which is the Linux version we offer customer?

3) Will browser Chromium be already installed in the Linux OS we offer? Or customer should have Chromium browser by himself? What is the Chromium version we offer?

4) What is the function of MPU, GPU and DSP in the AM57x8? NXP i.MX6/8 series has also a core just for the VPU (Video Processing Unit).

Many Thanks,

Antonio

0 Rogerio Almeida over 6 years ago in reply to Antonio Faggio

TI__Mastermind 26215 points

Antonio,

1) AM570X - There is no EVM populated with AM5708. If customer wants to test single core device, it is recommended to use TMDXIDK5718 since both have the same DDR speed and both are single core.

AM57x IDK LCD Kit It is just the LCD to be used in conjunction with IDKs (either for AM5718x or AM574x

If customer wants to evaluate dual core, then TMDSEVM572x is the recommended one.

2) if customer goes to http://www.ti.com/tool/PROCESSOR-SDK-AM57X customer will always get the latest PSDK. In terms of Linux, it is based on LTS 2018

3) https://e2e.ti.com/support/processors/f/791/t/788645?tisearch=e2e-quicksearch&keymatch=chromium

4) if customer needs to understand what MPU, GPU and DSP does, it is recommended to read our TRM, chapters related to Cortex A15 MPU, DSP Subsystem, 3D graphics accelerator and 2D graphics accelerators. Video processing unit is explained in the chapter Video Processing Engine

0 Antonio Faggio over 6 years ago in reply to Rogerio Almeida

TI__Expert 8050 points

Hi All,

My customer has some doubts concerning Sitara Processor for Video Processing Unit. EE is an HMI.

Please find below my customer warnings:

As far as I know TI Sitara Processors are usually used in industrial automation because they have on-board co-processors for Real-Time (e.g. EtherCat).

From what I know, I'm not sure that there are Linux BSPs that support Chromium with the possibility of using VPUs for video encoding ... ... there should only be implementation with Android.

Could you please technically comment on the above?

Many Thanks,

Antonio

0 Antonio Faggio over 6 years ago in reply to Antonio Faggio

TI__Expert 8050 points

Hi All,

Any feedback here?

Further by reading this e2e post: https://e2e.ti.com/support/processors/f/791/t/788645?tisearch=e2e-quicksearch&keymatch=chromium

This would suggest that the last available version of the browser is 53.0.2785.143 (leaving aside the VPU aspect) and that in any case there are no plans for future developments, can you comment on that?

Many Thanks,

Antonio

0 Manisha Agrawal over 6 years ago in reply to Antonio Faggio

TI__Mastermind 22946 points

Hi Antonio,

Yes, the last available Chromium browser is version 53.0.2785.143 and hardware accelerated VPU is not supported in that version.

Chromium support is on hold in next Processor SDK releases (based on 2019 LTS) as the newer version of Chromium browser is needing EGL version upgrades in GPU driver. Once that work is prioritized, we will support the Chromium browser again with newer version.

I nutshell, we support Chromium browser version 53 accelerated on GPU using Processor SDK 5.x release based out of Linux kernel LTS 2018 , VPU acceleration is not supported at the moment and Chromium browser support is on hold in LTS 2019 till the time GPU driver is upgraded to support dependent package (EGL 1.5)

Regards,

Manisha

Regards,

Manisha

0 Antonio Faggio over 6 years ago in reply to Manisha Agrawal

TI__Expert 8050 points

Hi Manisha,

Thank you for the reply.

Customer would like to evaluate the EVM for AM5718 and AM5728 so to test on these 2 EVMs his application in HTML5 with Linux OS, browser Chromium.

Which type of Linux version is here supported?

Do you know by chance a third party company which produces single board computer using SITARA PROCESSORS?

Many Thanks,

Antonio

0 Rogerio Almeida over 6 years ago in reply to Antonio Faggio

TI__Mastermind 26215 points

Antonio,

The question regarding Linux was answered already on 6/6 ==> we support Linux LTS 2018.

Now about the single board computers, there is a list of partners and links to their pages in the product folder, under TAB called Tools and Software. Check the table called Design Kits and Evaluation Modules.

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AM5708: Processor selection