Summary
Developers on the AM26x PRU-ICSSM parts (e.g. AM263Px) are unclear how PRU GPIO direction works and whether it can be changed at runtime — see E2E thread 1666087 ("AM263P4 PRU GPIO direction switching during runtime"). The confusion is between:
- PRU direct GPIO — output via
R30, input via R31 (the fast, deterministic path used by most open-pru examples), and
- SysConfig / pinmux pad direction — which fixes the pad's input/output role at configuration time.
There is currently no open-pru example or doc note that clarifies what "changing GPIO direction at runtime" does and does not mean on PRU-ICSSM: which register actually drives a pin, how a pin is switched between drive and sample use, and the interaction with the pad configuration set in SysConfig.
Proposal
Add either (a) a short academy note / FAQ, or (b) a small example, that:
- Explains
R30 (output) vs R31 (input) direct-GPIO usage on PRU-ICSSM.
- Clarifies the relationship to SysConfig pad direction/pinmux, and what is fixed at config time vs controllable from firmware.
- Shows the recommended pattern for a pin that must alternate between driving and sampling (open-drain / bidirectional-style use), if applicable on this silicon.
This directly answers a recurring E2E question and complements the existing GPIO material.
Scope
Documentation, optionally with a minimal example. Device focus: AM26x (AM263Px / AM261x) PRU-ICSSM.
Summary
Developers on the AM26x PRU-ICSSM parts (e.g. AM263Px) are unclear how PRU GPIO direction works and whether it can be changed at runtime — see E2E thread 1666087 ("AM263P4 PRU GPIO direction switching during runtime"). The confusion is between:
R30, input viaR31(the fast, deterministic path used by mostopen-pruexamples), andThere is currently no
open-pruexample or doc note that clarifies what "changing GPIO direction at runtime" does and does not mean on PRU-ICSSM: which register actually drives a pin, how a pin is switched between drive and sample use, and the interaction with the pad configuration set in SysConfig.Proposal
Add either (a) a short academy note / FAQ, or (b) a small example, that:
R30(output) vsR31(input) direct-GPIO usage on PRU-ICSSM.This directly answers a recurring E2E question and complements the existing GPIO material.
Scope
Documentation, optionally with a minimal example. Device focus: AM26x (AM263Px / AM261x) PRU-ICSSM.