Launch of SAMA5D2 MPU-based SOM to eliminate complexity of existing designs
Simplify and improve efficiency by integrating into a single, compact PCB

Microchip Technology Inc. today announced a new System-on-Module (SOM) based on the SAMA5D2 MPU that aims to eliminate traditional design complexity.

The ATSAMA5D27-SOM1 simplifies design by integrating power management, non-volatile boot memory, Ethernet PHY, and high-speed DDR2 memory onto a small, single-sided PCB.

The design process for building microprocessor (MPU)-based systems is complex. Even professional developers spend a lot of time on PCB layout to ensure compliance with EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) standards and signal integrity of high-speed interfaces to DDR memory and Ethernet physical layer (PHY).



The SAMA5D2 family provides a flexible design experience regardless of the user’s level. It can reduce development time by integrating multiple external components and eliminating design issues related to EMI, ESD, and signal integrity. Customers can solder this SOM to a board and productize it, or use it as a reference design with free schematics, design and Gerber files, and full BOM available online. They can also convert from the SOM to SiP or use only the MPU, depending on their design needs. Microchip has a customer-centric end-of-life policy for all of its products, so no matter which device you choose, we will continue to supply the product to our customers for as long as they need it.

The ARM Cortex-A5-based SAMA5D2 SiP, which can be mounted on the SOM PCB or used separately, integrates 1Gb DDR2 memory, simplifying design by removing high-speed memory interface constraints on the PCB. In addition, impedance matching is performed internally in the package, so it does not need to be performed individually during development, allowing the system to operate at normal and low-speed operations. The SAMA5D2 SiP offers three DDR2 memory sizes (128Mb, 512Mb, and 1Gb) and is available for bare metal, real-time operating system (RTOS), and Linux.

Customers developing Linux-based applications have access to the largest set of device drivers, middleware, and application layers for the embedded market, free of charge. All Microchip Linux development code for SiPs and SOMs is hosted on the Linux community main page. With the support of available drivers, this solution allows customers to connect external devices to SOMs and SiPs without significant software development effort.

The SAMA5D2 family provides an excellent platform for secure design with industry-leading security, including PCI compliance. With integrated ARM TrustZone®, tamper detection, secure data and program storage, hardware encryption engine, secure boot and a variety of other features, customers can work with Microchip’s security experts to evaluate security requirements and implement the right level of protection for their design. Additionally, the SAMA5D2 SOM includes Microchip’s QSPI NOR Flash memory, a power management IC (PMIC), an Ethernet PHY, and serial EEPROM memory with MAC address to enable more design options.

“SOMs shorten time to market by significantly reducing development time, software coding and debugging, allowing designers to focus on their application features,” said Alfredo Badillo, vice president of Microchip’s MPU32 business unit. “By integrating Microchip’s latest technologies into a single module, these new SOMs help customers accelerate time to market while providing a proven partner with worldwide technical support and long-term supply stability.”