SDAA324 April   2026 AM62L

 

  1.   1
  2.   Abstract
  3.   Trademarks
  4. 1Introduction
  5. 2Overview of Industrial Communication Protocols
    1. 2.1 Components of Industrial Communication Systems
    2. 2.2 Evolution from Serial Fieldbus to Industrial Ethernet
  6. 3Market Trends and Multi-Protocol Requirements
    1. 3.1 Market Scale of Industrial Ethernet
    2. 3.2 Reality of Multi-Protocol Coexistence
    3. 3.3 Necessity of Unified Platforms
    4. 3.4 Core Value of TI's Multi-Protocol Design
  7. 4Technical Introduction of Mainstream Industrial Protocols
    1. 4.1 EtherCAT (Ethernet for Control Automation Technology)
    2. 4.2 PROFINET RT/IRT (Real-Time Industrial Ethernet)
    3. 4.3 EtherNet/IP (Common Industrial Protocol)
  8. 5TI Processors' Multi-Protocol Support Design
    1. 5.1 Key Technology: PRU-ICSS Subsystem
    2. 5.2 Multi-Protocol Architecture Multi-Protocol
    3. 5.3 Processor Selection Matrix
    4. 5.4 Industrial Protocol Support Matrix
    5. 5.5 Software Development Engagement Models
  9. 6Summary
  10. 7References

5.1 Key Technology: PRU-ICSS Subsystem

The multi-protocol support core of TI Sitara processors is the integrated Programmable Real-Time Unit Industrial Communication Subsystem (PRU-ICSS)

Advantages of PRU-ICSS:

  • Hardware Support: Provides low-level MII interface access supporting hardware implementation of specialized communication protocols
  • Deterministic Processing: Two independent real-time cores process datagrams with predictable latency
  • Firmware Programmability: All EtherCAT MAC layer functionality implemented through firmware, providing flexibility
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Lower cost and better power efficiency compared to FPGA and ASIC designs