Low power just got lower with the Atmel | SMART SAM L21

Well, low power just got lower. The Atmel team is excited to announce that it has reached a new low-power standard for its ARM Cortex-M0+ based MCUs with power consumption down to 40 µA/MHz in active mode and 200nA in sleep mode. In addition to ultra-low power, the new platform features full-speed USB host and device, Event System and Sleepwalking,12-bit analog, AES, capacitive touch sensing and much more.

With billions of devices predicted for the Internet of Things (IoT) market by 2020, there is a need for lower power MCUs that will power these applications without adding load to utility grids or requiring frequent battery changes. Atmel’s latest Atmel | SMART platform is designed specifically for these applications, expanding battery life from years to decades.

Consuming just one-third the power of comparable products in the market today, the new low-power SAM L21 family is the first on the new platform expanding the Atmel | SMART 32-bit ARM-based products using Atmel’s proprietary picoPower technology.

While running the EEMBC CoreMark benchmark, Atmel’s SAM L21 family delivers ultra-low power running down to 40µA/MHz in active mode, consuming less than 900nA with full 32kB RAM retention and real-time clock and calendar, and 200nA in the deepest sleep mode. With rapid wake-up times, Event System, Sleepwalking and the innovative picoPower peripherals, the SAM L21 ultra-low power family is ideal for handheld and battery-operated devices in a variety of markets including IoT, consumer, industrial and portable medical applications.

Architectural innovations in the new platform enables low-power peripherals including timers, serial communications and capacitive touch sensing to remain powered and running while the rest of the system is in a lower power mode, further reducing power consumption for many always-on applications.

The Atmel SAM L21 family has amazingly low current consumption ratings for both the active and sleep mode operation which will be a great benefit in targeting the growing battery-powered device market,” said Markus Levy, president and co-founder, EEMBC. “With billions of devices to be brought to market during the era of the Internet of Things, designers can utilize Atmel’s ultra-low power SAM L family to ensure an increased life in these battery-powered devices. To instantiate this power data from Atmel, I’m looking forward to seeing the results from this new platform running our newly established ULPBench, aimed at the ultra-low power microcontroller industry.”

“Atmel is committed to providing the industry’s lowest power technologies for the rapidly growing IoT market and beyond for battery-powered devices,” expained Reza Kazerounian, Atmel SVP and GM, MCU business unit. “Developers for IoT edge nodes are no longer just interested in expanding the life of a battery to one year, but are looking for technologies that will increase the life of a battery to a decade or longer. Doing just that, the new 32-bit MCU platform in the Atmel | SMART family integrating our proprietary picoPower technologies are the perfect MCUs for IoT edge nodes.”

Engineering samples of the SAM L21, along with development tools and datasheet will be available in February 2015. Meanwhile, the SAM L21 can be found all this week in Hall A5, Booth 542 at Electronica.

Swift01 is an open-source mesh networking module

Developed by Flint, Michigan-based startup Swiftlet Technology, Swift01 — which recently made its Kickstarter debut — is an open-source, wireless hardware module that enables Makers and hobbyists to build fully-functional systems for the Internet of Things.

“Have you ever wished that you could simply hook things together wirelessly? Have you ever wanted to automate everything in your house, but didn’t want to spend $35+ on a wireless module for each node in the network? This is exactly what drove me to envision the Swift01,” writes Dan Kurin, Swiftlet Founder and CEO.

The team notes that the preliminary hardware design, including an 802.15.4-based Atmel System-on-Chip (SoC) equipped with an Atmel | SMART SAM D ARM Cortex-M0+ MCU, has been finalized.

Additional key specs include:

• Board size: 0.7″ x 1.4″
• Power input: 3.4-5.5V
• On-board 2.4GHz trace antenna
• 3.3V serial UART interface
• 10 I/Os including expandable serial interface and analog I/Os
• On-board serial memory for future features

Since Swift01 is based around the concept of mesh networking, the module boasts several software components such as a full IEEE 802.15.5 network stack to court the network traffic, a serial bootloader to allow for updates, an AT Command interface to enable configuration of the network stack and to send messages, as well as an AES message signing add-on to ensure authenticity.

In an effort to seamlessly create and join networks designed particularly for sensing and control functions, Swift01 offers Makers a wide-range of applications, ranging from monitoring in-house temperature and reconfiguring lighting to remotely collection weather information and controlling home theaters.

“Given that we’re developing open source technology, crowdfunding the development of the tech made perfect sense,” explained Kurin. “This is true democratic development: technology by the people and for the people.” Backers of the campaign can contribute at a number of different dollar levels and, in return for their contribution, receive a finished good in the spring of next year.

As for how the software on the module will be structured, the Swiftlet Technology team has shared an update on its architecture here.

In terms of its RF driver, the team says that it features all of the lowest-level software for handling the behavior of the PHY (transceiver). “Much of this has already been written by Atmel and is included in the Atmel Software Framework (ASF).”

If all goes to plan, production for beta-level hardware is expected to kick off in early January with shipments to initial backers slated for Feburary. Interested in learning more or backing this open-source, open protocol project? Click on over Swiftlet Technology’s Kickstarter campaign!

BeON Home smart lights outsmart burglars

---

There’s smart bulbs, then there’s out-smart bulbs.

---

Did you know that four burglaries occur every minute in the United States alone? That’s a startling one every 15 seconds. The good news is that most convicted burglars (90%) claim they want to avoid homes with alarm systems, saying that if they did encounter an alarm, they would abandon the attack. However, the bad news is that nearly two-thirds of homeowners fail to turn it on at all times.

While there has been an influx of smart bulbs in recent years, none of them may be nearly as intelligent as a new lighting system from one Cambridge, Massachusetts-based startup. The BeON Burglar Deterrent was designed to give off the impression of a lived-in home while you’re away, thereby outsmarting would-be intruders.

For those who recall the 1990s blockbuster film Home Alone, Kevin McCallister — played by Macaulay Culkin — outwits a pair of criminals by creating a DIY home security system. During one scene, Kevin goes to great lengths to set up a fake Christmas party in order to deceive the “Wet Bandits” into thinking that the house is, in fact, occupied.

Well, BeON Home is seeking to bottle some of that Kevin McCallister spirit inside their new system. The BeON Deterrent — which is fresh off a successful Kickstarter campaign — is hidden within several LED bulbs, each of which provide plenty of light throughout a home. As its creators note, you shouldn’t have to compromise on your lighting quality for security and safety. That’s why each bulb in the BeON Burglar Deterrent system emits 800 lumens of soft white LED light, which is equivalent to your typical 60W incandescent bulbs.

While the smart bulbs install just like ordinary lightbulbs, and work with your existing wall switches, an additional ’smart’ module enables a whole new level of intelligence. In particular, the system is equipped to learn your home lighting activity patterns, which are then replayed while away to convey to potential thieves that someone is still home. Upon leaving the house, simply set the system to “protect” mode to activate this automatic lighting sequence.

“No system programming is required. Simply activate and be on your way. Most would-be burglars will continue on their way, but the more bold ones may check if a home is occupied by ringing the doorbell,” a company rep adds.

Embedded with an Atmel | SMART SAM G ARM Cortex-M4 MCU, BeON’s sound processing engine can detect the tone of a doorbell and will immediately trigger the lights on in sequence to simulate your active presence, thereby increasing its level of ‘smartness.’ (Think of it as a professional grade Home Alone contraption.) Aside from the ATSAMG53 based sound algorithm, BeON bulbs boast backup rechargeable batteries, ensuring its burglar prevention powers work even without power.

Furthermore, just as the bulbs can listen to your doorbell, the BeON system can hear other in-home events like smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. As a result, if BeON lights detect an alarm, they will immediately turn on at full brightness to assist home dwellers escape safely.

Following its successful crowdfunding campaign, the team hopes to add other audible functionalities to the bulbs, too. Imagine if when a burglar rings the doorbell, just before the first light comes on, a dog barks? Then, if the aspiring intruder continues, another light is triggered and immediately followed by the sound of a shotgun cocking? As with any Atmel | SMART MCU-driven innovation, the possibilities are endless!

Not only is the system easy to use, but it’s simple to set up as well! So much so that the smart burglar deterrent can literally be configured and operated with a single finger. Each module is outfitted with a BLE module, which allows the system’s mesh network to extend the range of the bulb network throughout a house.

Looking to channel your inner Kevin McCallister and defend your home while away? Learn more about this bright idea by visiting their official page here. Full production is expected to get underway next spring, while shipping should begin this summer.

https://vimeo.com/112955000

Atmel launches new family of wireless transceivers for smart energy applications

With European Utility Week 2014 in full swing, Atmel has unveiled a new family of wireless transceivers including the AT86RF215, AT86RF215M, and AT86RF215IQ. Expanding upon the Atmel | SMART metering portfolio, the new solutions address the industry’s low-cost, multi-protocol connectivity requirements for smart metering, smart lighting, home energy gateways and other industrial and automation equipment.

The first sampling device, AT86RF215, is the industry’s first dual-band sub-1GHz / 2.4GHz transceiver compliant to IEEE 802.15.4g-2012 and ETSI TS 102 887-1. Additionally, AT86RF215M is asingle band sub-1GHz transceiver, while the AT86RF215IQ is a dual-band I/Q radio. All three deliver an output power of up to 14dBm. With receiver sensitivities down to -123dBm, an outstanding link budget of 137dB can be achieved.

The AT86RF215 offers superior flexibility by supporting a variety of data rates with three modulation schemes: multi-rate and multi-regional frequency shift keying (MR-FSK), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MR-OFDM), as well as offset quadrature phase-shift keying (MR-O-QPSK). This entails the physical layer used for ZigBee PRO and ZigBee IP. Simultaneous operation at sub-1GHz and 2.4GHz enables new capabilities and the right cost structure in smart metering, smart lighting, home energy gateways and other industrial and automation equipment.

Some of the family’s key features include:

• Fully integrated radio transceiver covering 389.5-510 MHz, 779-1020 MHz, and 2400-2483.5 MHz
  • European bands at 863-870 MHz, 870-876 MHz, and 915-921 MHz
  • Chinese bands at 470-510 MHz and 779-787 MHz
  • North American band at 902-928 MHz
  • Korean band at 917-923.5 MHz
  • Japanese band at 920-928 MHz
  • Worldwide ISM band at 2400-2483.5 MHz
• Supported PHYs (IEEE 802.15.4g-2012, IEEE 802.15.4- 2011, and proprietary modes)
  • MR-FSK: 50…400 kbit/s with optional forward error correction and interleaving
  • MR-OFDM: 50…2400 kbit/s
  • MR-O-QPSK: 6.25…1000 kbit/s, 100…2000 kchip/s
  • O-QPSK: 250…1000 kbit/s, 1000 and 2000 kchip/s
• Simultaneous operation at sub-1 GHz and 2.4 GHz
• Bi-directional differential RF signal ports, one for sub-1 GHz and one for 2.4 GHz
• SPI interface to access registers and frame buffers
  • LVDS interface to access 13-bit I/Q data
  • IEEE 802.15.4 MAC support • Frame filter
  • FCS handling
  • Automatic acknowledgement
  • CCA with automatic transmit
• Industry-leading link budget
  • Programmable TX output power up to +14 dBm
  • Receiver sensitivity down to -123 dBm
• Low power supply voltage from 1.8V to 3.6V
• Low current consumption
  • 30 nA in SLEEP mode
  • 28 mA in RX mode
  • 65 mA in TX mode @ 14 dBm output power
• Industrial temperature range from -40°C to +85°C
• 48-pin low-profile lead-free plastic QFN package

“We are excited to see the widespread adoption of standards-based connectivity solutions for the utility industry worldwide,” said Kourosh Boutorabi, Atmel Senior Director of Smart Energy Products. “Expanding our portfolio of smart metering solutions to include new wireless transceivers reinforces our commitment to serve this growing market. We are continuing to deliver new platform solutions for the smart energy market, including powerline carrier connectivity and industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of metering system-on-chip solutions.”

While initial samples and evaluation kits for the AT86RF215 are available now to lead customers, mass sampling is planned for Q1 2015 and volume production for Q3 2015.

Electronica 2014 may be the ‘smartest’ show yet!

As we prepare to head off to Munich, Germany for perhaps one of the ’smartest’ shows of the year, Electronica 2014 attendees are in for a treat! Over the next couple of days, we will be unveiling a number of new solutions to further enable smart, connected and secure devices for the ever-growing Internet of Things (IoT) — ranging from consumer and industrial to automotive and Maker applications.

During the week of November 11-14, head over to Messe München where you will find a plethora of IoT solutions in the Atmel booth — located in Hall A5, Booth 542 — including:

Low-power embedded processing

• Industry’s lowest power ARM Cortex-M0+ MCU for the Internet of Things
• A new QTouch safety platform for home appliance user interfaces
• Next-generation 8-bit AVR MCUs accelerating development of low-power applications

Secure connectivity

• Industry’s first FCC-certified Wi-Fi and MCU integrated module
• Atmel’s new CAN transceiver family
• A next-generation LIN system basis chip portfolio for in-vehicle networking

Easy-to-use software and tool

• IAR Systems supports Atmel’s complete microcontroller portfolio, expanding Atmel’s IoT software and tools ecosystem
• An ultra-low cost Xplained mini development platform available for only $8.88 USD that is compatible with any Atmel 8-bit megaAVR MCUs
• Xplained Ultra evaluation kit for fast prototyping and evaluation of Atmel | SMART SAMA5D4 Cortex-A5 based MPUs
• A security module compatible with all Xplained boards that supports SHA256, AES128 and ECC256 hardware authentication for IoT nodes

Our broad portfolio of next-gen tech powering the Internet of Things will be showcased at Electronica in various pods, such as the smart home, industrial, automotive, and of course, Maker areas.

Atmel’s SMART HOME ZONE brings more intelligent, connected devices together.

• Showcasing hardware security with wireless connectivity to a variety of edge nodes applications, the well-received Atmel WINC1500 will demonstrate a video camera, temperature sensor and LED control highlighting ease-of-use connectivity to mobile handsets and cloud architecture. Strong key protection is provided by the ATEC108 Elliptic Curve security chip.
• For the intelligent home, this demonstration highlights Atmel’s popular AVR architecture using a mega168PB, AT86RF212, XMEGA128A1U and MXT143. The demo showcases an AVR with a wireless connection running on a battery with a graphical display.
• The QTouch safety robustness demonstration showcases Atmel’s SAM D20 with the company’s new QTouch safety library, displaying the superior capacitive touch performance of the peripheral touch controller while achieving best-in-class noise immunity and moisture tolerance required in home appliances. Attendees can enter to win one of the QTouch safety evaluation kits by viewing the demonstration.
• Demonstrating security for the connected world, this three-light switch demo communicates via ZigBee to a remote panel with 3 LEDs. The switches and LEDs include an Atmel ATSHA204 device with stored crypto keys. When the switch is flipped, only the LEDs with the corresponding key will light—demonstrating symmetric authentication.
• Showcasing the latest lighting solutions, the Philips Hue LED colormix bulb, the Philips Lux dimmable bulb and the Philips Tap switch highlights how users can create their own personal wireless lighting environment with the tap of a switch or through an app on the users’ mobile device.

Atmel’s INDUSTRIAL ZONE enables smart, machine-to-machine connections.

• Demonstrating a smart fridge, this home automation demonstration powered by Atmel | SMART SAMA5D4 includes a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen that includes a 720p video playback showcasing the processors performance and data processing in a secure environment.
• Powered by Atmel’s maXTouch mXT1666T2 and maXStylus, this rugged Inari10 tablet demonstrates support of a glove, moisture rejection and support for maXStylus.
• Through a Sigfox base station, this demo utilizes Atmel’s ATA8520 and ATA8510 to demonstrate the company’s IoT connectivity solution.
• Highlighting Atmel’s support of capacitive touch buttons, sliders and wheels using the company’s QTouch technologies, Atmel will showcase two QTouch demos. The first is powered by the Atmel | SMART SAM D21 MCU on an Xplained Pro board demonstrating mutual capacitance and the intelligent peripheral touch controller—all enabled by Atmel QTouch. The second demo, powered by the Atmel | SMART SAM D11 MCU, is supported by the QTouch Library enabling capacitive touch button sliders and wheels on smaller, lower cost Atmel MCUs using the Peripheral Touch Controller.

Atmel’s AUTOMOTIVE ZONE brings IoT to the connected car with simple, touch-enabled human-machine interface.

• Showcasing a smart, connected car, Atmel will be highlighting the well-received AvantCar demo, a next-generation automotive center console concept with curved touchscreens highlighting Atmel’s XSense, maXTouch, QTouch, and 8-bit AVR MCU technologies.
• Highlighting car access, this demo will enable passive entry and passive start for automobiles through capacitive touch and proximity detection technology controlled by a tablet PC using Atmel’s maXTouch technologies. This demo is powered by Atmel’s automotive devices including the ATA5791, ATA5831, ATA5702, ATA5790N, ATA5833 and Atmel | SMART SAM D21.
• Several other automotive demos are also featured in this zone, including a door handle powered by Atmel’s fourth generation LIN device that includes a curved touch-enabled glass display, providing excellent multi-touch performance for future automotive applications, and utilizing Atmel’s XSense and the maXTouch 2952T.

Atmel’s MAKER ZONE showcases IoT inventions, enabling unlimited possibilities.

• Being at the core of the Maker Movement, Atmel will be showcasing a number of Maker demonstrations including a remote-controlled Maker Robot powered by the Atmel | SMART SAM D21. “Mr. Abot” will be controlled through an Andriod app and the communications will be driven through Atmel’s recently announced new WINC1500 Wi-Fi solution.
• Atmel will also be showcasing a Skittles sorting machine for the candy lover. This Atmel | SMART powered sorter uses the SAM D21 device and will sort the Skittles into individual containers by color using an RGB light sensor.

Wait, there’s more!

In the wake of recent incidents, it is becoming increasingly clear that embedded system insecurity affects everyone and every company. On a personal level, these vulnerabilities can lead to a breach in unprivileged financial and medical data. For a company, the impact can be quite profound. Products can be cloned, software copied, systems tampered with and spied on, and many other things that can lead to revenue loss, increased liability, and diminished brand equity.

Atmel’s resident security expert Kerry Maletsky will be address these growing concerns in his session, “IoT Security Should Be Hard, By Definition.” Join Maletsky on Thursday, November 13 at 2:00pm CET in Hall A6 / A6.353 at the Embedded Forum as he explores the basics of hardened security in every designer’s IoT device.

Video: Vegard Wollan talks AVR and ARM low-power operation

In this segment of the series, the co-inventor of the AVR microcontroller chip talks about the famously low power that the chips consume.

I had heard that one of the clever things Atmel does to save memory power is that we turn on the memory, fetch four instruction op-codes then turn the memory off again. Now, if there is a branch in these four op-codes that change the program flow, well, we have to turn on the memory and grab another four instructions. But, you can imagine just how often that the chips are executing all for instructions, so that we get those four op codes for the power cost of one fetch.

Vegard Wollan jokes will fellow Norwegian Andreas Eieland [off camera] about divulging the secrets to Atmel’s ultra-low power.

Vegard confirmed that Atmel does this on both the latest AVR and on our Atmel | SMART ARM-based chips. I love this clip since this is where we break the 4th wall as Vegard jokes to the crew that I am giving away too many secrets. I also confirmed that some of our ARM chips have a switching regulator controller built in. For instance, the SAM4L has one switching and one linear regulator built in. Now we don’t put any giant inductors inside the chip, you supply the external inductor, but all the control circuitry is available so you can really minimize the BOM (bill-of-materials).

To allow single-supply operation the ARM-based SAM4L microcontroller has a switching regulator on board, you only need to supply an external inductor.

This is yet another thing that differentiates our ARM-core parts from the competition. Most engineers know how cool and revolutionary the AVR was, but we have applied all the “cool” and more to our ARM-based chips. As Vegard noted, we have many tricks and innovations to sip the lowest amount of power, and that includes having our own processes at our Colorado Springs fabrication facility.

Video: Pat Sullivan talks ARM Cortex-M7 at ARM TechCon

As reported on Bits & Pieces, ARM recently unveiled a new 32-bit Cortex-M7 microcontroller (MCU) targeted at high-end, next-gen embedded applications.

After being named one of the early lead licensees of the processor, we announced a new family of Atmel | SMART ARM Cortex-M7-based MCUs, which are well positioned between our existing ARM Cortex-M-based MCUs and Cortex-A-based MPUs. The new devices will address high-growth markets including the Internet of Things (IoT) and wearables, as well as automotive and industrial applications that require both high performance and power efficiency.

During ARM TechCon 2014, Atmel’s Pat Sullivan had the chance to catch up with Dominic Pajak of ARM to discuss the company’s newly-introduced Atmel | SMART ARM Cortex-M7-based processor.

“We are proud to be a lead partner in the Cortex-M7 product. We think it’s a great device and really like the performance of it. It actually sits really well between the M4 and A5/A7 portfolios, ” Sullivan told Pajak. “I see this as a really nice filler for us. It allows our customers working in both areas to have a bridge product and a really nice roadmap moving forward.”

As to which IoT segments the Atmel Cortex-M7 processors will be used, “We see it in mid-range wearable applications, as well as healthcare devices in that area,” Sullivan notes.

Shortly thereafter, Sullivan joined fellow industry heavyweights (ST Micro and Freescale) for a standing-room only panel on the microcontroller. During the session, Sullivan said he sees the Cortex-M7 also succeeding in networking and gateway arenas.

“We see it addressing a lot of the system integration, performance issues, and power issues that we have. We also see it working in networking, Internet of Things and smart energy. We think this particular core is well suited for the areas where we see the highest growth rate.”

“Consistent architecture with high-performance is one of the most important things we see in ARM Cortex-M7.” He later added, “Huge data is driving a connected home and it’s coming sooner than we think.”

Sullivan concluded, “We’re all going to be in a more connected world in the future, good and bad. We may not even recognize it.”

While sampling to select customers is currently underway, general availability of the Xplained kit is expected in early 2015. Stay tuned!

Atmel samples new family of Atmel | SMART ARM Cortex-M7-based MCUs

As previously reported on Bits & Pieces, ARM recently unveiled a new 32-bit Cortex-M7 microcontroller (MCU) targeted at high-end, next generation embedded applications and has named Atmel as one of the early lead licensees of the processor, enabling the company to deliver exciting new products to the market in the forthcoming months.

Today, in the midst of ARM TechCon, Atmel has announced the development of a new family of Atmel | SMART ARM Cortex-M7-based MCUs that are sampling to select customers now. Broadening Atmel’s current MCU/MPU portfolio, the family is well positioned between Atmel’s ARM Cortex-M-based MCUs and Cortex-A-based MPUs enabling designers to select from a greater range of processing solutions. The new devices will address high-growth markets including the Internet of Things (IoT) and wearables, as well as automotive and industrial applications that require both high performance and power efficiency.

The Atmel | SMART Cortex-M-based MCUs allow customers to scale-up performance, SRAM and system functionality, while keeping the Cortex-M class ease-of-use and maximizing software reuse. The first devices will run up to 300MHz, with up to 384kByte SRAM configurable as Tightly Coupled Memory (TCM) or System Memory, and up to 2Mbyte on-chip Flash. They will be comprised of three series: general purpose, connectivity and automotive-qualified.

“As one of the first ARM licensees, we are excited to add the Cortex-M7 core to our already broad portfolio of MCUs and MPUs,” explained Jacko Wilbrink, Atmel Senior Marketing Director. “The new Cortex-M7-based MCUs leverage our advanced peripherals and flexible SRAM architecture for higher performance applications, while keeping the Cortex-M class ease-of-use. This new addition enables our customers to select from an even larger portfolio of Atmel | SMART ARM-based MCUs to optimize system designs from consumer IoT devices to automotive applications.”

“Atmel’s new family of microcontrollers helps to bridge the gap between existing microprocessors and highly-efficient microcontrollers on the market,” shared Noel Hurley, General Manager, CPU Group. “The ARM Cortex-M7 core drives innovation and pushes the performance envelope for embedded devices.”

All devices come standard with high-speed USB On-the-Go (OTG) and on-chip high-speed USB PHY, the connectivity series offers 10/100 TBase Ethernet MAC and Dual CAN-FD from Bosch. The automotive series offers Ethernet AVB support and Media LB, which when combined with the Cortex-M7 DSP extensions, make the series ideal for infotainment connectivity and audio applications.

Atmel is working closely with the ARM ecosystem partners on development tool support and RTOS BSPs for the new Atmel | SMART Cortex-M7-based MCUs. In addition, Atmel will offer complete support for this new MCU family on Atmel Studio and Atmel ICE. A comprehensive set of peripheral drivers and examples will be provided, as well as Xplained evaluation kits.

“The Cortex-M7 is well positioned between Atmel’s Cortex-M based MCUs and Cortex-A based MPUs enabling Atmel to offer an even greater range of processing solutions,” Reza Kazerounian, Atmel Senior Vice President and General Manager, recently revealed. “Customers using the Cortex-M-based MCU will be able to scale up performance and system functionality, while keeping the Cortex-M class ease- of-use and maximizing software reuse.”

While sampling to select customers is currently underway, general sampling and availability of the Xplained kit is expected in early 2015. Those interested in learning more can come visit us at ARM TechCon in Santa Clara, California October 1-3, 2014 at booth #205.

Atmel teams with ARM on IoT Development Platform

Atmel is joining forces with ARM on the mbed device platform for the ever-growing Internet of Things (IoT).

This partnership broadens the ecosystem support for developers using Atmel’s portfolio of secure, low-power and cost-effective wireless connectivity solutions, specifically the Atmel SmartConnect Wi-Fi and 802.15.4-compliant solutions. Additionally, IoT developers for smart wearables, connected appliances, home automation systems and more can now bring their products faster to market.

Built around open standards, the mbed platform combines Internet protocols, security and standards-based manageability into one integrated system, and gathers silicon, cloud and device partners in one community. Atmel | SMART SAMR21 and WINC1500 customers now gain access to the mbed OS software platform, which includes command-line tools, a low-power HAL, as well as advanced networking protocols like 6LoWPAN and Thread to significantly accelerate IoT development.

“The ARM mbed IoT Device Platform simplifies the development and deployment of next-generation IoT devices and cloud services,” said Krisztian Flautner, ARM General Manager, IoT Business. “The integration of Atmel’s wireless technology with the mbed platform allows IoT developers to rapidly create devices that communicate across a mesh network with cloud services. This will drive the acceleration of the IoT in consumers and industrial markets.”

“As a leader in the IoT market, Atmel is committed to enabling developers of all levels the opportunity to bring their IoT devices quickly to market,” explained Steve Pancoast, Atmel Vice President of Software Applications, Tools and Development. “In this fragmented market place, we are leading the charge to bring easy-to-use hardware, software, development tools and platform solutions to market and enabling our IoT developers more time to focus on critical features in their design. By partnering with ARM on their mbed platform, we’ve taken another step towards making the 50 billion devices for the IoT market a reality.”

Those interested in learning more about the ARM mbed platform can head over to its official page here.

Preview: ARM TechCon 2014

Fresh on the heels of World Maker Faire, the Atmel team is headed down the road to the city of Santa Clara for the 10th Annual ARM TechCon 2014. Held October 1-3 inside the Santa Clara Convention Center, the Atmel team will showcase the latest Atmel | SMART ARM-based microcontrollers driving smart, secure and connected devices for the Internet of Things.

At the Atmel booth (#205), visitors will have a chance to explore a number of hands-on demos including:

• Atmel | SMART SAM D20 GPS Tracker
• Atmel | SMART SAM D21
• Narrative Clip powered by Atmel | SMART SAM9G25
• The newly-unveiled Arduino Wi-Fi Shield 101
• Bosch Sensor Hub
• The recently-announced Atmel SmartConnect Wi-Fi modules 
• Crank featuring an Atmel | SMART MCU

…. and, we will also be making announcement around the Atmel | SMART MCU family which you will surely not want to miss. Stay tuned!

Anyone who’s previously attended ARM TechCon — or any event where Atmel was present for that matter– knows one of the highlights is the free giveaways! On Wednesday, we will be distributing several Atmel | SMART SAM4L Evaluation Kits from our booth (#205). Whereas on Thursday, Atmel | SMART SAM D20 Xplained Pro Evaluation Kit will be given away during the ARM Connected Community demo at 1:30pm and 5:00pm PT inside the ARM booth (#300).

Meanwhile, Andreas Eieland, Atmel Senior Product Marketing Manager, will educating attendees on why ARM’s Cortex-M0+ was the ideal architecture to use as a foundation for the highly-flexible and easy-to-use SAM D MCU and its potential use cases in home automation, consumer devices, smart metering and industrial applications. Don’t this this session, aptly entitled “Think Beyond the Core,” which is slated to take place on Wednesday at 2:00pm PT.

Other notable key moments in and around the show include an infrastructure panel with Dell and Oracle moderated by ARM’s Ian Ferguson, discussions around the new Cortex-M7 processor, IoT and wearable tech-focused developer workshops, as well as Thursday’s keynote with ARM CEO Simon Segars.

Be prepared to be blown away by not one, but two keynote speakers: Chris Anderson, CEO of 3D Robotics, and Erica Kochi, Chief Innovator for UNICEF. Anderson will be discussing the latest developments in the drone community along with new opportunities in robotics for ARM, while Kochi will explore the ways in which UNICEF and ARM are working together on power and efficiency improvements for mobile devices.

Thinking of visiting the show? Receive a free ARM Expo Pass using the code: ARMExp100. Hurry, this promotion expires on September 30th.

Unable to attend? As a leading member of the ARM Connected Community, rest assured we will be tweeting away and dishing out up-to-the-minute happenings from the show floor. Follow along using the hashtags #ARMTechCon and #AtmelLive throughout the week.