Beacon EmbeddedWorks has announced a compact (38x28mm) System-on-Module (SoM) based on the recently introduced low-power Texas Instruments Sitara AM62L dual-core Cortex-A53 SoC designed for IoT, HMI, and general-purpose applications requiring a display.

The AML62L SoM features LPDDR4 or DDR4 memory, an 8-bit eMMC flash, and an optional WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 LE module. All I/Os are exposed through two board-to-board connectors, including RGB LCD or MIPI DSI display interface, two gigabit Ethernet interfaces with TSN support, USB 2.0, CAN FD, analog inputs, and more.

Beacon AM62L specifications:

• SoC – Texas Instruments AM62L dual-core Arm Cortex-A53 processor up to 1.25GHz; 5600 DMIPS

• System Memory – LPDDR4, DDR4

• Storage – 8-bit eMMC flash

• Wireless – 802.11ax WiFi 6 1×1 and Bluetooth 5.0 LE; cnxsoft: 802.11ax is WiFi 6, but the company only mentions support for WiFi 5 in other parts of the description.

• 2x board-to-board connector

• Storage – 2x 4-bit SD/SDIO

• Display – Up to 4-lane MIPI DSI or 24-bit RGB DPI up to 1080p60

• Audio

• 3x multichannel audio serial ports

• Support I2S and SPDIF

• Networking – 2x Gigabit Ethernet with TSN support

• USB – 2x USB 2.0

• Serial I/O

• Up to 8x UART interfaces

• Up to 5x I2C interfaces

• Up to 4x SPI interfaces

• 3x CAN with optional CAN-FD

• Analog

• 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC)

• 10 bits of effective resolution up to 2MSPS

• 4x analog inputs (tie-multiplexed)

• Debug – JTAG & ETM support

• Dimensions – 38 x 28mm

• Weight – 7 grams

• Compliance – RoHS, Reach Texas Instruments AM62L SoC block diagram

Beacon mentions BSPs for Linux, Android, and RTOS environments, and highlights low-power consumption through advanced sleep and standby modes to extend battery life in portable or continuously operating devices. The system-on-module is also compatible with the company’s proprietary Wattson Power Management plug-and-play solution for real-time power monitoring and optimization.

Wattson software monitoring an NXP devkit

We had covered Texas Instruments AM62x (AM623/AM625) and AM62A processors in previous years, but TI seems to have discreetly unveiled the low-cost, low-power AM62L earlier this year, and most of the documentation, such as the datasheet and technical reference manual, was only made available in the last few months/weeks. The new AM62L3 SoC can be tested with the $189 TMDS62LEVM evaluation module (EVM) using Linux, Linux RT, and FreeRTOS SDKs.

TMDS62LEVM AM62L evaluation module (22-pin MIPI DSI connector on bottom side)

I mentioned development tools from TI because Beacon has yet to provide detailed documentation about the module and information about a devkit for their AM62L SoC. Target applications include industrial control panels, portable medical diagnostics, and mission-critical defense systems.

I could not find any pricing or availability information, but I would assume mass production has not started yet based on the details available at this time. Beacon EmbeddedWorks manufactures and supports the AM62L entirely in the US. A few more details may be found on the product page.

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.

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