Atmel's 400 MHz ARM9-based Embedded Microprocessor Consumes Only 80 mW in Active Mode

AT91SAM9G20 offers twice the speed with half the power consumption of pin-compatible AT91SAM9260

Rousset, France -- May 15, 2008 -- Atmel® Corporation , announced today its 400 MHz AT91SAM9G20 ARM926EJ-S based embedded microprocessor that draws only 80 mW in full-power mode with all peripherals turned on. The AT91SAM9G20, pin-compatible with the 200 MHz AT91SAM9260, offers four times the cache and on-chip SRAM memory and features improved error correction for external NAND Flash as well as an enlarged Ethernet FIFO that improves latency. The AT91SAM9G20 is targeted at power-constrained applications that also need high performance. These include point-of-sale terminals, building automation, security cameras and bar code readers.

The AT91SAM9G20 offers the industry's widest choice of operating systems, with support for Microsoft® Windows CE®, .NET MF and Linux®, as well as a number of real-time operating systems (RTOS) and middleware products from industry-leading third parties including Adeneo®, IAR®, Keil™, Mentor Graphics®, Micrium, Segger and TimeSys®.

Multi-layer AHB, Peripheral DMA and Distributed Memory for Maximum Internal Data Bandwidth. The AT91SAM9G20 fully exploits Atmel's market-leading peripheral DMA (direct memory access) and distributed memory architecture that, together with the 6-layer bus matrix, enables multiple simultaneous data transfers between memories, peripherals and external interfaces without consuming CPU clock cycles. The external bus interface (EBI) is clocked at 133 MHz for high-speed transfers to off-chip memories. This architecture gives the device the high internal and external data bandwidth required by many embedded networked applications.

Networking, Communications and Image Sensing. Networking and communications requirements are met by 12M bps USB Full Speed Dual Host and Device ports, an Ethernet 10/100 Base T MAC, four USARTs, SPI, SSC and Two-Wire Interface (TWI). The image sensing requirements of many of the target applications for the AT91SAM9G20 are met by a fully integrated Image Sensor Interface (ISI).

Advanced Power Management. In addition to halving the power consumption in full-speed operating mode (where the clock frequency is software programmable), the AT91SAM9G20 features four reduced-power modes, including Backup Mode where the main power supply is off and the device power consumption is sufficiently low (9µW) for an extended period of operation under battery supply.

Availability and Pricing

The AT91SAM9G20 is sampling now, packaged in a 217-ball LFBGA RoHS-compliant package. Pricing is US$ 7 in quantities of 10k. The AT91SAM9260 will continue to be supplied and fully supported as long as demand continues.

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is able to provide the electronics industry with complete system solutions focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications, computing and automotive markets.