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3 . Which ARM core (Cortex A5, A7, A8,
A9, A57) and Example of SoM
Cortex-A5 Processor
The Cortex-A5 is the smallest, lowest
cost and lowest power ARMv7
application processor and is supported
by a suite of optimized IP targeted
at mid-range solutions, bringing the
highest efficiency levels and ease of
integration.
Popular application processors based
on Cortex A5 include the Atmel SAMA5
family as used in the AT-501 System On
Module from Shiratech. The AT-501 is
an industrial embedded SoM that offers
the optimal balance of the most power
efficient Cortex-A to date with a high
performance CPU running at 536 MHz
and a floating point unit. The Memory
is 32bit wide @ 166Mhz, 256 MB DDR2,
extendable to 512MB. NAND Flash of
256MB extendable up to 1GB, and
optional 4GB eMMC.
Cortex-A8 Processor
The Cortex-A8 was introduced to the
market in 2005 as the first processor
supporting the ARMv7-A architecture.
The Mali™-400 provides a mid-range
graphics processing option for the
Cortex-A8.
The most popular application processor
based on CortexA8 is TI’s Sitara family
AM33xx and an example of System
On Module based on the this solution
is the VAR-SOM-AM33 from Variscite.
Supporting the 1GHz Sitara™ AM335x
ARM Cortex-A8 processor from Texas
Instruments (TI) with a rich 2D/3D
graphics accelerator, the VAR-SOM-
AM33 provides a low-cost, powerful
and flexible selection across the full
spectrum of applications. Its feature
set includes -40 to 85°C temperature
range and dual CAN bus, making it
ideal for industrial applications such as
automotive, control systems, lighting,
motor control and agriculture. With
dual Ethernet, USB, touch controller,
audio and Wi-Fi/BT, the VAR-SOM-
AM33 is a highly integrated SoM in a
very attractive price range.
The ARM Cortex-A9 processor is a
mature option having been introduced
in 2008, and remains a very popular
choice to enable the Internet of
Things. As a single processor solution,
the Cortex-A9 processor offers an
overall performance enhancement of
well above 50% compared to ARM
Cortex-A8 solutions.
Picture Nu2 - Example of Proprietary System On Module based on I.MX6
Cortex-A5
Cortex-A8
Cortex-A9 Processor
Cortex-A7 Processor
28 l New-Tech Magazine Europe