AM3352: Max Sink current of GPIOs

The max output current is defined in the Pin Attributes table and the respective section of the DC Electrical Characteristics table of the datasheet.

Using the AM3352 IOs to source high-current DC loads is not a good design practice and could be problematic. This will increase power dissipation of the device, which could be a problem if your application is already pushing thermal limits. Switching high current loads with the internal buffers will also increase on-die noise which could compromise system performance. The problem described in Advisory 1.0.30 of the AM335x Silicon Errata is a good example where using the IOs to switch high-current DC loads may cause a problem.

I'm not saying it can't be done, but warning you there may be risk associated with it.

Regards,
Paul

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the confirmation that attribute table is the place to look. I do want to reiterate: what is the max current the GPIOs can SINK?

Your example calls out sourcing current and the datasheet's description for "Buffer Strength" is "Drive strength of the associated output buffer". I want to make sure the buffer strength value is for both sourcing and sinking or is there a different specification for sinking current?

Thanks,
Nick