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CC3220SF: Suggestion for alternate product with higher SRAM

Part Number: CC3220SF
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: CC3135, CC3130, CC3120, CC3301, CC3300, CC3501E, WL1837MOD, CC3551E, CC3551

Tool/software:

Hi all,

I'm using CC3220SF controller along with sensors but require >= 1MB of SRAM for my application. Could you please suggest a product which has similar FreeRTOS and AWS support (for OTA), WiFi provisioning support and also similar pin configuration and packaging. 

  • Hi,

    At present time TI does not have exact product according your requirements.

    You have options:

    • select MCU according your needs and for WiFi features connect CC3120, CC3130 or CC3135
    • use MCU or processor (running a Linux) with new WiFi 6 devices (e.g. CC3300, CC3301, CC350...)
    • check new CC3501E which is at preview state
    • use processor (running at Linux) with WiLink8 devices (e.g. WL1837MOD)
    • why you not connect external RAM/FRAM to CC3220SF? If you need additional space for data buffering, this will be easiest way

    btw ... are you really sure that you need such space of RAM. Many memory saving can be achieved by proper code design. Even many of high performance MCUs does not commonly such size of RAM.

    Jan

  • Hi Jan,

    Thanks for pointing out the different options, out of them,

    • Linux is not an option for me, I need to run on FreeRTOS only,
    • external SRAM is already considered, but timing analysis show that internal RAM would be a better option.
    • I was researching on the new CC3551E, which doesn't have much info available (CC355xE SimpleLink 2.4GHz and 5GHz Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth Low Energy Wireless MCU datasheet), will you be able to provide more info on this?
    • It cannot be generalized that embedded applications do not require much RAM space, even if we have proper code design; multiple sensors' data acquisition sometimes mandate higher RAM requirements
  • Hi,

    CC3551E is at preview state, for more details you need to ask TI via link at product page. But if you need 1MB of RAM for data, it is likely that CC3551 is not option for you. Because at CC3551 you need to run TCP/IP stack and TLS stack at your main MCU, which will consumption not a small piece of RAM.

    There are very few MCUs at market with 1MB RAM and more (is we not count flashless MCUs like a i.MX RT). If application need bigger RAM that are commonly used MCU with external RAM or MPUs. You will be very surprised how many embedded programmers is unable to properly manage RAM (like storing data in RAM as string, not properly aligning variables structures, etc.). Into 128kB RAM you can fit 32k of float samples what is not a small quantity as buffer.

    If you need big and fast RAM you have not much options. One option is to select high performance MCU and connect to them external DRAM using parallel bus. And WiFi connectivity you can done via external CC31xx or CC33xx devices. Other option can use usage of MPU which will allow even higher performance but design complexity is higher.

    Jan

  • Hi Vaishnavi, Jan,

    CC3551 does have feature to use external PSRAM. Will this help with your memory requirements?

  • Hi,

    Does this PSAM can be mapped into address space of MCU? It is supported OctoSPI or HyperBus?

    Jan