The world’s lowest power ARM Cortex-A5-based MPUs

The Atmel | SMART SAMA5D2 series provides great system integration with the addition of a complete audio subsystem, lower pin-count and ultra-small package for space constraints applications, and built-in PCI-level security targeting industrial IoT, wearables and POS applications. 

Expanding the Atmel SAMA5 family, the SAMA5D2 series delivers just the right price-to-performance ratio for applications requiring an entry-level MPU and extended industrial temperature range (-40 to 105°C). The series is also a great migration path for designers using ARM926-based MPUs looking for higher performance and additional features including low power, higher security, DDR3 support, smaller footprint, audio, USB HSIC and Atmel’s patented SleepWalking technology.

Featuring an ARM NEON engine, the SAMA5D2 series delivers 500MHz and 166MHz of system clocking. The memory system includes a configurable 16- or 32-bit DDR interface controller, 16-bit EBI, QSPI Flash interface, ROM with secure and non-secure boot solution, 128kB of SRAM plus 128kB of L2Cache configurable as SRAM extension. The user interface system for the SAMA5D2 includes a 24-bit TFT LCD controller, an audio subsystem with fractional PLL, multiple I2S and SSC/TDM channels, a stereo class D amplifier and digital microphone support.

The robust security system in the SAMA5D2 includes the ARM TrustZone technology, along with secure boot, hardware cryptography, RSA/ECC, on-the-fly encryption/decryption on DDR and QSPI memories, tamper resistance, memory scrambling, independent watchdog, temperature, voltage and frequency monitoring and a unique ID in each device.

“We are excited to launch the new Atmel | SMART SAMA5D2 series for designers requiring a general, entry-level MPU,” said Jacko Wilbrink, Senior. Director of MPUs, Atmel. “Designers for industrial IoT, wearables and POS applications are demanding more performance, lower power, smaller form factors and additional security for their next-gen applications. The Atmel SAMA5D2 is well positioned for these demanding requirements, delivering the world’s lowest power MPU, along with low-system cost and PCI level security.”

To support the series, Atmel has developed a free Linux distribution available on www.Linux4sam.com and published in the mainline kernel. For non-OS users, Atmel delivers more than 40 peripheral drivers in C. Atmel collaborates with a global network of partners, including IAR, ARM, Free Electrons, Active-Semi, Micron, ISSI, Winbond, Segger, Lauterbach, FreeRTOS, Express Logic, NuttX and Sequitur Labs, that deliver development tools, PMIC, memories and software solutions.

To help accelerate a designer’s development, the SAMA5 Xplained Ultra kit is available now for $79. The Xplained Ultra board includes an embedded debugger and programmer and includes a wide range of compatible extensions boards. Standalone programmer debugger solutions supporting the SAMA5 family are also available from both Atmel and third parties.

Early samples of the SAMA5D2 are available now, and ATSAMA5D2-XULT Xplained Ultra boards are available in October. First production quantities of the Atmel | SMART SAMA5D2 series will ship in December 2015 and pricing starts at $4.95 for 1,000-piece quantities.