Are embedded chip vendors starting to sell modules directly?
On November 5, Texas Instruments (TI) announced the launch of the TICS100MOD multi-protocol industrial communication System-on-Module (SoM), which supports three industrial Ethernet protocols including EtherCAT, PROFINET and EtherNet/IP, and is expected to be available for shipment by the end of 2026.
SoM usually integrates the processor, memory, power management and necessary peripheral circuits on a small PCB, and customers can build their own embedded systems by designing matching carrier boards.
In the embedded industry, professional module manufacturers such as Toradex, Variscite, PhyTec, Tronlong Technology, MYIR Tech have long been developing core boards around processors from TI, NXP, ST and Renesas, providing hardware design, software porting and technical support. Some chip vendors also have self-branded SoM products, including Microchip and AMD.
The TICS100MOD released by TI this time is mainly targeted at industrial communication, integrating a real-time MCU, Ethernet PHY and industrial protocol support into a 30mm×18mm module.
SoMs for MPUs are not new, but those for MCUs are rare, and this MCU from TI is powerful and complex enough.
TI Turns Industrial Communication Into a Standalone Module
TICS100MOD adopts TI's AM2612 real-time MCU and DP83826AI Ethernet PHY, is powered by 3.3V, supports SPI and QSPI host interfaces, and has an operating temperature range of -40℃ to 85℃.
There are multiple Ethernet communication protocols in the field of industrial automation. EtherCAT is mainly used in applications with high real-time performance requirements such as motion control, while PROFINET and EtherNet/IP are also widely used in industrial equipment and automation systems.
The three protocols differ in communication mechanism, protocol stack, real-time performance requirements and ecosystem. Equipment vendors can flexibly provide corresponding communication interfaces and protocol support according to the industrial control systems used by customers.
The AM2612 real-time MCU adopted by the module integrates dual Arm Cortex-R5F cores and PRU-ICSS (Programmable Real-time Unit and Industrial Communication Subsystem), which executes industrial Ethernet communication tasks through dedicated real-time processing resources.
TICS100MOD also integrates two 100Mbps Ethernet PHYs, and provides industrial protocol stacks, SDK and development tools.
The TICS100MOD can be connected to an external MCU or MPU through the SPI or QSPI interface, with the module responsible for industrial Ethernet protocol processing, and the external main controller continuing to execute equipment control, data processing and application programs.
TI has launched the AM261-SOM-EVM development board for real-time control MCU evaluation and prototype development. TICS100MOD configures hardware and protocol software around industrial Ethernet communication, and is oriented to end-device integration in the form of an independent module product.
Chip Vendors Developing SoMs on Their Own Is Not Unprecedented
Microchip already has multiple series of self-branded SoM products.
In 2017, Microchip launched ATSAMA5D27-SOM1 based on the SAMA5D2 microprocessor, which integrates functions such as Arm Cortex-A5 processor, DDR memory, Flash, Ethernet PHY and power management on a small PCB.
Subsequently, Microchip launched products such as SAM9X60D1G-SOM. This module adopts a 600MHz Arm926EJ-S processor, integrates 1Gbit DDR2 memory, and is oriented to industrial control, human-machine interface and embedded Linux systems.
Microchip also expands its SoM product line around new-generation MPUs such as SAMA7D65, providing integrated solutions for processors, memory, power management and network interfaces.
Some of Microchip's SoMs adopt a structure suitable for surface mounting, and customers can directly solder the modules to their own motherboards through standard mounting and reflow soldering processes. Microchip also provides supporting data manuals, Linux support and production assembly guides.
AMD has also launched its self-branded Kria SoM series.
Among them, Kria K26 is based on Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC, which integrates resources such as Arm processor, FPGA programmable logic, DDR4 memory and eMMC, and is mainly oriented to machine vision, robotics and edge AI applications.
Kria K24 is mainly oriented to industrial motor control and digital signal processing applications, providing processors, programmable logic, memory and related peripheral circuits.
In the field of wireless connectivity, Espressif Systems has long provided both ESP32 series chips and wireless modules. For example, ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 integrates ESP32-S3 MCU, Flash, RF matching circuit and antenna, etc., and customers can directly use the module in IoT terminals.
Silicon Labs also provides wireless modules such as MGM240S, which integrate wireless SoC, RF peripheral circuits and antennas into standardized modules, and provide corresponding certification support.
Chinese SoM Vendors Have Been Developing for Many Years
In China, SoM is usually called core board, and many enterprises have developed related products around different processor platforms.
Guangzhou Tronlong Technology is mainly engaged in the development of core boards, evaluation boards and embedded systems for Arm, DSP and multi-core heterogeneous processors, covering products from TI, NXP, AMD and many domestic processor vendors including Rockchip and Allwinner.
On the TI platform, Tronlong Technology provides core boards based on processors such as AM335x, AM437x, AM57x, AM62x, AM62Lx and AM64x, as well as some DSP and C2000 related products.
The core boards adopt different connection methods such as stamp hole and board-to-board connector, and are applied in industrial automation, energy and power, instrumentation and communication equipment. Tronlong Technology also provides supporting baseboards, software development kits and application development support.
Shenzhen MYIR Tech is also a representative core board vendor in China.
MYIR Tech has developed a variety of core boards around processor platforms such as TI, NXP, ST and Renesas, and also covers domestic chip platforms such as Rockchip, Allwinner and Semidrive.
For example, MYIR Tech developed the MYC-YM62X core board based on TI AM62x, which integrates Arm Cortex-A53 processor, memory and peripheral circuits, and is mainly oriented to applications such as industrial control, IoT and human-machine interface.
Forlinx Embedded also provides a variety of Arm processor core boards, covering NXP, TI, Renesas and domestic processor platforms, and provides software support such as Linux and Android.
Guangzhou ZLG Zhiyuan Electronics provides core boards, industrial control boards and supporting development tools around industrial embedded applications, covering fields such as industrial communication, data acquisition and edge computing.
ALIENTEK has also launched core boards and development kits based on processors such as STM32, NXP and TI, providing corresponding development materials and software support.
TI Is Still Cooperating With Third-Party SoM Vendors
On April 14, 2026, TI stated that it is carrying out SoM cooperation around the AM62L processor with three Chinese enterprises including Tronlong Technology, MYIR Tech and ALIENTEK.
AM62L is a processor series launched by TI for cost-sensitive embedded applications, adopting the Arm Cortex-A53 architecture, and is mainly oriented to industrial control, human-machine interface and embedded Linux devices.
In this cooperation, Tronlong Technology has developed industrial core boards with structures such as LGA and LCC around AM62L, providing different installation methods and supporting development platforms. MYIR Tech and ALIENTEK have also launched core boards and development kits around the AM62L processor respectively, providing corresponding software development materials and hardware design support.
In the international market, TI also cooperates with many SoM enterprises.
Toradex launched module products such as Verdin AM62 around TI AM62x, providing Linux software support and matching carrier boards with different configurations.
Variscite develops core boards around processors such as TI AM62x, AM62P and previous AM335x, AM437x, providing different memory, interface and product configurations.
Ezurio also launched the Carbon series SoM based on processors such as TI AM62x, AM62L and AM67x, with supporting Linux development environment and hardware development support.
PHYTEC has long provided industrial-grade core boards, development kits and customized embedded design services around TI Sitara series processors.
The TICS100MOD launched by TI this time focuses on industrial Ethernet communication, supports three protocols of EtherCAT, PROFINET and EtherNet/IP, and customers can connect it to their main control processor through SPI or QSPI interface.
For customers who need a complex computing platform, TI currently still provides services through third-party partners.