AM261x MCU+ SDK: Ethernet And Networking

| AM261x MCU+ SDK 26.00.00 |

Ethernet And Networking

# Overview

Advances in automated factories and smart vehicles require advanced networking capabilities, real-time processing and more advanced motor-control topologies. TI Networking solution packaged with the SDK provide a rapidly growing need for Sitara MCU to out space traditional MCUs and deliver processor-like capabilities. Networking is a broad terms used to cover Ethernet (IEEE 802.3), EtherCAT Profinet and other ethernet-like communication protocols used in industrial, automotive and other general use cases.

Figure: Industrial And Automotive Networking Applications

This document covers driver software architecture, Application Programming Interfaces (API), protocol stack usage, LwIP (Light Weight IP stack), examples and demos that are packaged in the SDK. The out-of-box Ethernet (CPSW) Examples enables fast on-board and accelerates the development cycle. This document also provides API guide for low level Ethernet, Industrial communication protocols drivers along with Layer-2 (low level) examples to enable advanced users to integrate the custom stack.

Networking is supported using following two hardware Peripherals:

- Common Port SWitch (CPSW) : CPSW subsystem provides IEEE 802.3 standard Ethernet gigabit speed packet communication for the device and can also be configured as an Ethernet switch. CPSW supports RGMII and RMII Interfaces.
- Programmable Real-Time Unit and Industrial Communication Subsystem (PRU-ICSS) : PRU-ICSS is firmware programmable and can take on various personalities like Industrial Communication Protocol Switch (for protocols like EtherCAT, Profinet, EtherNet/IP), Ethernet Switch, Ethernet MAC, Industrial Drives, etc. PRU-ICSS supports MII mode.

To know more about the hardware peripherals, please refer to datasheet and Technical Reference Manual (TRM) on the product page:

- AM2431, AM2432, AM2434
- AM2634, AM2634-Q1
- AM263P2, AM263P4, AM263P2-Q1, AM263P4-Q1
- AM2611, AM2612, AM2612-Q1
- AM2732
- AM6411, AM6412, AM6421, AM6422, AM6441, AM6442

## Salient Features

Figure: Networking Software Features

## Software Components Overview

Below is the software components overview highlighting mainly the components used in the Networking software development.

## Examples and Demos

You can find out-of-box examples and demos here.

## Ethernet Driver

Ethernet Low-Level Driver (Enet-LLD) is a driver that aims at providing the interface for standard Ethernet MAC and switch using CPSW Peripheral.

- Enet-LLD

## ICSS-EMAC Driver

ICSS-EMAC (Industrial Communications Subsystem Ethernet Media Access Controller) driver provide APIs to transmit and receive packets with a firmware based MAC and Ethernet Switch that has been implemented on PRUICSS cores.

- ICSS-EMAC describes the driver features and debugging guide.
- Dual EMAC and Switch describes the firmware features supported.
- ICSS-EMAC Lwip Example is ICSS-EMAC application using the LwIP networking stack.

## TCP/IP Stack

-Lightweight IP (LwIP)

## Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) Stack

- Ethernet TSN and gPTP Stack - API and Integration Guide
- Ethernet TSN gPTP Examples