Atmel expands SAM D Cortex M0+ MCU portfolio

Atmel has expanded its low-power ARM Cortex M0+-based MCU portfolio with three new families: the SAM D21, D10 and D11. These entry-level, low-power MCUs are packed with high-end features including Atmel’s Event System, SERCOM module, peripheral touch controller and a full-speed USB interface.

“As more devices are becoming smarter and connected in this era of the Internet of Things (IoT), designers are looking for MCUs with additional connectivity and communication options to scale their applications in the consumer, industrial and medical markets,” explained Patrick Sullivan, Vice President of Marketing, Microcontroller Business Unit, Atmel Corporation.

“Atmel’s new SAM D21, D10 and  D11 families of Cortex M0+-based MCUs deliver low-power consumption, connectivity and small footprint, providing designers just the right price-to-performance ratio. These new families expand the company’s growing line of Atmel Smart microcontrollers with new pin and memory combinations, along with new features such as DMA and crystal-less USB.”

As we’ve previously discussed on Bits & Pieces, Atmel’s SAM D portfolio is architected beyond the core, leveraging over two decades of MCU experience to create unique, connected peripherals that are easy-to-use, while providing scalability and performance. Indeed, to help simplify the design process and eliminate the need for additional components, Atmel’s new SAM D lineup integrates additional functionality, including full-speed crystal-less USB, DMA, I2S, timers/counters for control applications, along with several other new features. Atmel’s SAM D devices are also code- and pin-compatible making it easy for designers to migrate up and down the family.

“Atmel’s expanded portfolio of low-power SAM D family ARM Cortex-M0+-based devices enables more designers to deliver smart devices in this increasingly connected world,” said Noel Hurley, Deputy General Manager, CPU Group, ARM.

“The ARM Cortex-M0+ processor is a highly area- and energy-efficient core which enables partners, such as Atmel, to provide the right peripheral set, intelligence, communication and memory for their customers’ needs.”

Key  SAM D21 features include:

• 48MHz operation
2.14 Coremark/MHz
• Single-cycle IO access
• 
6- to 12-channel Event System
• 
6- to 12-channel DMA
• Up to six SERCOM modules configurable as UART/USART, SPI, I2C
• 12Mbps USB 2.0 device with an embedded host and device
• 
Two-channel I2S with 96MHz fractional PLL for audio streaming
• Up to five 16-bit timers, up to three 16-bit times optimized for control applications
• Peripheral touch controller supports up to 256 touch channels for capacitive touch buttons, sliders, wheels and proximity sensing
• 
Down to 70uA/MHz in active mode
• 4uA RAM retention
• Real-time clock and calendar
• 
Option to choose between internal and external oscillators, on-the-fly clock switching
• 
Sleepwalking

To help accelerate the design process, the $39 SAM D21 Xplained Pro is equipped with an embedded debugger/programmer and offers support for a wide range of compatible extensions boards. Standalone programmer debugger solutions supporting the SAM D family are also available from both Atmel and third parties, with the Atmel SAM D MCUs fully supported by Atmel Studio and Atmel Software Framework.

The SAM D21 is the first family in this expanded portfolio, and samples and tools are available today with volume production in May 2014. The SAM D21 is offered in 32KB to 256KB of Flash and in 32-, 48- and 64-pin packages. Meanwhile, the SAM D10 and D11 families will be available in 14- and 20-pin SOIC and 24-pin QFN packages with up to 16KB of Flash. Both memory options feature 4KB of SRAM. All package options minimize the number of power pins to maximize the amount of IO available for the application. Engineering samples and tools are slated to go live in Q2 2014.

Atmel’s SmartConnect lineup targets the IoT

Atmel has expanded its wireless product portfolio with a new family of solutions targeting the rapidly evolving Internet of Things (IoT). Essentially, the new SmartConnect family combines Atmel’s ultra-low power MCUs with its wireless solutions and complementary software into a single package, allowing designers to easily add wireless connectivity to any embedded system. This new lineup includes Atmel’s SmartConnect Wi-Fi modules, an integration of the company’s ultra-low power Wi-Fi System-on-Chip with a Cortex M0+ ARM-based MCU, and the SmartConnect ZigBee SAM R21, a single-chip integrating Atmel’s ultra-low power ZigBee solution with a Cortex-M0+-based MCU.

Atmel’s SmartConnect solutions can be deployed across a wide range of markets, helping to accelerate development time for cost-effective, battery-operated applications in the residential, healthcare, industrial, smart energy and wearable spaces.

“Atmel’s Wi-Fi solutions deliver industry-leading low-power consumption and are the leading market solution for power-constraint applications such as remote controls,” explained Reza Kazerounian, Sr. Vice President and General Manager, Microcontroller Business Unit, Atmel Corporation.

“Atmel also has a long history of providing ultra-low power wireless connectivity for sophisticated applications that are IEEE 802.15.4-compliant, IPv6/6LoWPAN-based and ZigBee-certified for nearly a decade. [Our] broad portfolio of wireless products combine the company’s rich family of RF transceivers with 8- and 32-bit AVRs and ARM-based MCUs.”

As Kazerounian notes, ultra-low power wireless connectivity is critical for embedded applications in the era of the Internet of Things.

“[That is why] Atmel’s SmartConnect technology is about simplifying the use of embedded wireless connectivity technologies and enabling users to accelerate their time-to-market. This simplicity allows all players to participate in the IoT market, fueling the innovation needed to accelerate adoption,” he added.

Greg Potter, Analyst, SNL Kagan MRG, expressed similar sentiments.

“With over 50 billion devices predicted to be connected by 2020, it’s important for embedded companies to provide an ultra-low power turnkey solution that brings a complex mix of embedded and connectivity technologies in a single package,” he said.

“Atmel’s new SmartConnect family does just that by coupling ultra-low power MCUs with Wi-Fi and ZigBee connectivity into a single package. The company’s breadth of easy-to-use IoT solutions, ranging from embedded processing to connectivity and software/tools, will enable more designers to bring their connected devices to market.”

Key facts about Atmel’s SmartConnect family

SmartConnect Wi-Fi

Providing designers with flexibility to help accelerate development, this new family of modules bring wireless Internet connectivity to any embedded design. 

The first products are an ultra-low power lineup of Wi-Fi modules that enable battery-powered IoT endpoints such as thermostats, temperature sensors through Wi-Fi connectivity – without compromising battery life.

These highly integrated modules will enable designers to lower their overall bill of materials while integrating IEEE 802.11 a/b/g wireless connectivity. 

Additionally, the new Wi-Fi modules provide an integrated software solution with application and security protocols such as TLS, integrated network services (TCP/IP stack) and standard Real Time Operating System (RTOS) which are all available via Atmel’s Studio 6 integrated development platform (IDP). 

SmartConnect Wi-Fi is slated to kick off mass production in May 2014.

SmartConnect ZigBee SAM R21



Building on Atmel’s long history of ultra-low power ZigBee solutions, these new products integrate Atmel’s ARM Cortex-M0+-based MCUs with a robust peripheral set and its high-performance RF transceiver. 

The new single-chip series is available in extremely small 5x5mm 32-pin and 7x7mm 48-pin package, effectively saving board space and reducing the overall bill of materials. The devices ship in a variety of memory densities and are qualified for industrial temperature grades up to 125C, making them ideal for wireless lighting control applications such as ZigBee Light Link.

These new devices are fully supported by the wireless composer in Atmel’s Studio 6 IDP and help accelerate development time. 

The ATSAM R21 Xplained PRO board is already available at the official Atmel Store, with Atmel currently sampling the ATSAM R21 series to select customers. Public sampling will be available at the end of March with production quantities slated for July 2014. Pricing for the SAM R21? Starting at $2.75 in 10,000-piece quantities.

Open Screen Adapter (OSCAR) goes AVR

OSCAR is a super high resolution 9.7″ screen with an Atmel-powered adapter that allows users to easily link the display to their PC, Mac or Linux machine.

“The board is Arduino compatible which makes modifying the behavior easy and all the software and hardware is open source,” OSCAR spokesperson Freddie Temperton explained in a recent Kickstarter post.

“The particular display used with OSCAR is the one most commonly found in the iPad 3 and 4, marketed as the ‘Retina Display’ and has a whopping 2048×1536 pixels. This gives it an amazing pixel density of 264ppi (pixels per inch) and glorious colors.”

Key OSCAR specs include:

• Atmel ATmega32u4 microcontroller (MCU)
• Supports DisplayPort/Thunderbolt (via a small connector)
• Takes 12V 1A input (9-12V recommended)
• Consumes a nominal 6W
• Software upgrades via a micro USB port, allows the computer to control the backlight and power to the display
• TPS61176 backlight drivers
• LMZ12001 high efficiency buck regulator
• All spare IO pins available on 0.1″ pitch headers (6 analogue pins, 9 digital, I2C, SPI, serial and 5V power RGB LED for OSCAR status)

“OSCAR takes care of driving the LED backlight and regulating the panel power supply. With the onboard ATmega32u4, the device acts like an Arduino Leonardo. This enables USB communications so that you can use OSCAR to control things like backlight brightness and enables you to expand the functionality of OSCAR,” Temperton explained.

“Adding an IR receiver for control or adding an IMU board to automatically rotate the screen are all possible. As you can use the Arduino IDE, customization is easier than ever to implement. There are also drivers for the LED backlight so brightness can be adjusted using a PWM output from the microcontroller. [Plus], buttons are included to turn the display on/off and to increase or decrease the backlight brightness.”

Interested in learning more? You can check out OSCAR’s official Kickstarter page here.

ATtiny85 powers this posture sensor

Anyone who stares at a computer screen for 8 hours a day probably has learned the hard way that posture does indeed matter. 

Enter Wingman’s posture sensor, a device that monitors the position of your head (relative to the chair) and reminds you to sit upright.

As HackADay’s Nick Conn reports, the posture detection platform is powered by Atmel’s versatile ATtiny85 micrcontroller (MCU), paired with the HC-SR04 ultrasonic distance sensor.

“Rather than going down the wearable route, which has its own drawbacks, Wingman decided to attach his sensor on the back of his chair,” Conn explained. 

”The best part is that the sensor is not mounted directly on the chair, but rather on a piece of fabric allowing it to be easily moved when needed.”

There are basically three modes on the software side:

• Configuration
• Watch (monitoring) mode
• Standby

“The configuration-mode waits until the user holds his head still and saves the distance of a comfortable position. After this the watch-mode starts, what compares the current distance to the saved distance,” Wingman wrote in a recent blog post.

“If your head is too far away it will sound an alarm. If you get your head back the alarm will stop immediately. If not the device beeps a few times and then mutes. After some time it enters standby-mode. This is meant for leaving the device alone, the sensor reads the distance only every few seconds during this to save energy. If you get back to your chair the configuration-mode starts again.”

Unsurprisingly, the project can be easily expanded simply by adding multiple sensors in various locations – allowing the angle of the back and possibly the neck to be determined. This configuration would likely provide a more accurate indicator of poor posture.

Interested in learning more? You can check out the project’s official page here.

Celebrating 50 billion chips with ARM

ARM – which employs over 2,000 people around the globe – has billions of RISC-based processors in the wild and powers approximately 95% of the world’s smartphones. Recently, the British company marked a major milestone: 50 billion ARM-powered chips shipped.

As you can see in the infographic above, 20% of the ARM chips are slated for embedded applications, including automotive, touch-screen controllers, industrial equipment, connectivity and smartcards.

As we’ve previously discussed on Bits & Pieces, Atmel offers an extensive portfolio of microcontrollers (MCUs) and microprocessors (MPUs) based on the world’s most popular 8- and 32-bit architectures: Atmel AVR and ARM. Indeed, Atmel’s two decades of microcontroller leadership and innovation include many industry-firsts:

• The first Flash microcontroller, the first ARM7-based 32-bit Flash microcontroller
• The first 100nA microcontroller with RAM retention
• The first ARM9-based Flash microcontroller

“In order to simplify the embedded design process, we’ve meticulously built a robust ecosystem around our ARM microcontrollers,” an Atmel engineering rep told Bits & Pieces. ”Meaning, Atmel offers a wide range of software tools and embedded software that support leading operating systems, along with low-cost evaluation kits.”

In addition, Atmel’s flexible and highly integrated ARM-based MCUs are designed to optimize system control, user interface (UI) management and ease of use. That’s why our ARM Cortex-M3 and M4 based architectures share a single integrated development platform (IDP): Atmel Studio 6. This platform offers time-saving source code with more than 1,600 example projects, access to debuggers/simulators, integration with Atmel QTouchtools for capacitive touch applications and the Atmel Gallery online apps store where embedded software extensions can be downloaded.

Meanwhile, Atmel ARM-based MPUs range from entry-level devices to advanced highly-integrated devices with extensive connectivity, refined interfaces and ironclad security.

“Whether you are working on new, existing or legacy designs, a wide range of Atmel ARM-based devices provides the latest features and functionality. These devices also feature the lowest power consumption, a comprehensive set of integrated peripherals and high-speed connectivity,” the engineering rep added.

Interested in learning more about Atmel’s extensive ARM portfolio? You can check out our ARM MCUs here and our ARM MPUs here.

Xronos Clock keeps time with the ATmega644p

The Xronos Clock Kit (v2.1) – which recently hit the virtual store shelves at Adafruit – is an open source, hackable and customizable device powered by Atmel’s ATmega644p microcontroller (MCU).

Aside from Atmel’s ATmega644p MCU, key hardware specs include:

• 

256MB microSD card
• 22Khz 16-bit Mono uncompressed WAV (audio support)
• 32×16 Red/Green LED matrix (capable of producing 3 colors: red green and orange)
• 3x 24mm arcade buttons
• DS1307 based RTC w/ LIR2032 battery
Digital DS18B20 temperature sensor (-55°C to +125°C)
• RFM12B (915 Mhz or 434 Mhz) only available in V2 as option
• USB programming w/ optional FTDI adapter/cable (not included)
• 6-12 VDC (positive tip) Power Supply
• 1-3 Watt draw (aprox., depends on Color and Brightness)
• 7.5″ x 4.75″ x 3.75″ (aprox), 1 lb 8 1/4 oz (687g) w/o external Power supply

The talking clock is equipped with an internal backup battery, while all settings are saved to flash memory (EEPROM). Meaning, alarm setting and preferences will be preserved during a power outage. 

Since all audio files are kept on SD card inside, users can change alarm tones, or replace voice prompts with their own.

Additional features include:

• Dual custom alarms
• 10 alarm tones, such as melodies or special effects like trains, thunder or police sirens
• Change display color to green, red or orange
• 12 or 24 hour mode
• Celsius or Fahrenheit selection for temperature sensor
• Ambient light sensor automatically adjusts display brightness
• Easy access to micro SD card, backup batter and FTDI

The Atmel-powered Xronos Clock Kit (v2.1) is currently available on the official Adafruit store for $215.

Video: Hacking a Valentine with the ATtiny85

The OpenElectronics crew has presented a project dubbed “HeartThrob” in honor of Valentine’s Day weekend.

“You [may] be inclined to think that this is the usual heart-shaped Valentine gadget,” OE’s Boris Landoni explained in a blog post detailing the project.

“In reality this is something much cooler as it’s capable to create beautiful and complex light games… Just shake HeartThrob and it will turn on and crate incredible light animations.”

HeartThrob is powered by Atmel’s versatile ATtiny85 microcontroller (MCU), as the OpenElectronics team required a compact controller that was easy to program and offered a precise balance between energy consumption and performance.

In terms of software, the HeartThrob can be modified according to the specific needs of a user, including duration, vibration detection and number of functions for those who want to add or remove lighting effects.

Interested in learning more? You can check out HeartThrob’s official project page here.

As we’ve previously discussed on Bits & Pieces, Atmel’s ATtiny85 MCU is routinely tapped by both DIY Makers and professional engineers to power a wide range of projects. To be sure, quite a number of devices and platforms built around the ATtiny85 have surfaced in recent months, including the LED SMD firefly, astrophotography tracker, vibrating timepiece, ATtiny85 ISP!, and Cuboino (Digital Cuboro). 

Paragliding with a portable EKG

Andrew of derefnull.org recently designed a portable EKG and integrated it with a GoPro. He says he wanted to see the heart respond to environmental stimuli “while doing really cool stuff” like paragliding.

“At the heart of the system (pun intended) is an Instrument Amplifier circuit, which amplifies the differential signal generated by your heart muscle,” Andrew explained.

“The amplified signal is fed into an Analog-to-Digital converter on the [Atmel-based] Arduino Uno (ATmega328 MCU), and then saved to an SD card. The EKG trace is generated after-the-fact with custom software that performs filtering, heartbeat detection and a scrolling video overlay.”

The EKG – which draws power from a single 9V alkaline battery – is built into a plastic project enclosure box.

“I cut holes for access to the LCD screen, on/off switch, start/stop button and status LED. Nylon webbing is threaded through the flange holes to create a belt of sorts, and I can wear this around my belly, or waist,” he said.

“The electrodes are soldered to a 3.5mm audio jack, which is easily inserted and removed through the side of the enclosure.”

Meanwhile, two electrodes are worn on the upper chest (above the pectoral muscles) and one on the lower abdomen. The signal from the chest electrodes are fed into the amplifier circuit on the Olimex EKG/EMG shield and amplified nearly 1000 times. According to Andrew, the signal is also band-pass filtered for noise, with the third worn electrode acting as a driven signal to help improve overall integrity.

“To help synchronize the data with the video, I added an LED and piezo buzzer that blink/buzz at the beginning of each data capture. The data filename is broadcast via LED and buzzer in morse code,” he added. 

”In theory, I can use the audio of the piezo buzzer to automatically sync the data to the video track. In practice, the piezo buzzer was too quiet to be heard by the GoPro [so] I will work on this for the next iteration.”

Interested in learning more about paragliding with a portable EKG? You can check out the project’s official page here.

ATmega328P + ARM Cortex-A7 = Akarel

Akarel – which recently surfaced on Indiegogo – is a hardware development kilt that integrates Atmel’s ATmega328P microcontroller (MCU) and a 1GHz Allwinner A20 dual-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor (CPU) on a single board with a touch screen.

As Akarel creator Karel Kyovsky notes, the platform is targeted at devs and Makers who require a touch screen interface to implement their respective projects.

The development platform is currently available in two iterations: Akarel 7 (7-inch display) and Akarel22 (22-inch display). The former features an industrial grade projected capacitive multi touch connected via I2C, while the latter is equipped with a USB-linked capacitive single touch.

“Some development kits are missing displays or touch, [while] others use obscure software stacks. Imagine implementing your hack ideas within hours instead of days like you’ve been doing until now,” Kyovsky explained.

“Akarel integrates Android OS running on [the] ARM Cortex A7 via UART, with Arduino software running on [Atmel’s] ATmega328P MCU. Integration and connection of both chips on [a single] PCB [offers a number of] advantages.”

According to Kyovsky, these include:

• 

Graphics and UI capabilities of Google’s flagship Android OS
• Optimized environment for application development
• Seamless network connectivity via WiFi or Ethernet
• Access to extensive Arduino community libraries

Kyovsky says he envisions Akarel being used to develop smart home automation and security systems, kiosks/payment terminals, along with Internet of Things (IoT) devices and appliances.

On the software side, the Akarel kit offers Makers and developers access to a Git repository stocked with Uboot source code, Linux kernel source (3.4.39), fine-tuned Android OS sources (4.2.2), Arduino firmware sources, Arduino tools (i.e. avrdude) and example apps.

“We want you to concentrate on writing an application not on spending time to make the basic things work. We have done it for you already. And if you want to dive deeper and modify the Linux kernel or Android OS…Why not? You have all the sources available for you to change and compile,” Kyovsky added.

“In order to save you from the hell of installing all the toolchain (correct version of gcc, libs, headers, automake, make, java, you name it) we have also prepared a Ubuntu virtual machine for you which may be downloaded and which has [the entire] toolchain preinstalled so that you can start recompiling your complete stack within a few minutes.”

Interested in learning more about the Akarel? You can check out the project’s official Indiegogo page here.

ATmega16 MCU powers Oktopod dev platform

Oktopod Studio is an open source development platform for mechatronics, robotics and automation.

The platform – which is powered by Atmel’s ATmega16 micrcontroller (MCU) – allows Makers to more easily create low voltage electronic devices, models and home applications.

“We designed Oktopod Studio to be as user friendly as possible, [as it] features plug-and-play analog outputs, digital inputs, DC and Servo motor drivers [as well as a] graphical user interface for PC and Andriod devices,” an Oktopod rep explained.

“You don’t need to be a programmer or an electronic expert to use Oktopod Studio and make your own robotic projects.”

The Oktopod platform consists of two primary components linked via Bluetooth or USB:

• Hardware – Oktopod Board
• Software – Oktopod Control App

The Oktopod Board offers Makers a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), along with plug and play inputs and outputs for connecting a wide range of low voltage electronic devices, including LED lights, DC/servo motors, buzzers, electromagnets, switches, as well as photo-, thermo- and magnetic sensors.

Aside from Atmel’s ATmega16 MCU, key hardware specs include:

• 

8x Analog output (up to 3A)
• 2x DC motor driver
• 3x Servo motor driver
• 4x Digital inputs
• USB/Bluetooth communication module
• Power supply input 6-12 V (reverse polarity protected), on-board 3A fuse

In terms of software, the Oktopod Control app (PC and Android) allows Makers to assume manual control of the hardware via sliders and buttons.

Meanwhile, the board is programmed by creating a so-called “wishList” of output operations using an intuitive virtual dashboard.

Interested in learning more about the ATmega16-powered Oktopod? You can check out the project’s official page here.