Atmel Expands Lowest-Power Cortex-A5 Processor-based MPU Portfolio With New Device and Ecosystem Extensions

Supporting Smaller Package, Extended Temperature Range, and More Robust Software Eco-system, New Devices Target Wearable, Industrial, Automotive Aftermarket and Medical Applications

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Oct. 29, 2013 -- ARM TechCon -- Atmel® Corporation (ATML), a global leader in microcontroller (MCU) and touch technology solutions, today announced the company has expanded its portfolio of Cortex-A5 processor-based microprocessors (MPUs). The new SAMA5D3 devices deliver smaller packaging, extended temperature support, and an alternative peripheral mix while maintaining high performance and low-power operation along with an expanded ecosystem to include new software and hardware solutions.

Atmel's Cortex-A5 processor-based MPUs, which have been shipping for more than 10 months, provide high processing power delivering up to 850DMIPS at 536MHz while offering 1328MB/s at 166MHz bus speed. The devices also deliver fast connectivity for industrial applications, ultra-low power consumption under 150mW in active mode at maximum speed and below 0.5mW in low-power mode for consumer battery-powered applications including wearables such as smart watches. The SAMA5D3 devices also feature advanced user interfaces for home automation and control panels.

To better meet wearable, portable, computing, and medical application requirements, Atmel has added a smaller package option to the SAMA5D31 to include a tiny, fine-pitch 12x12mm BGA324 0.5mm ball pitch package. For volumes starting at 100,000 pieces, Atmel offers the SAMA5D3 in die enabling the development of Silicon in Package (SiP) solutions for even smaller form factor designs. Incremental support for the industrial and automotive aftermarket is provided by the new SAMA5D36, a superset device providing a unique combination of user interface (UI) and connectivity features including an LCD, 2x Ethernet ports, and dual CAN support. In addition, the SAMA5D36 along with the SAMA5D35 support an ambient temperature range of -40 degrees to 105 degree C.

"We've been shipping our Cortex-A5 processor-based MPUs shipping for over 10 months to customers in various vertical markets," said Jacko Wilbrink, Sr. Director of ARM Products, Atmel Corporation. "We've listened to our customers and have implemented additional features and functionality to our Cortex A5 processor-based MPUs to ensure we improve their designs or make it possible. Our diverse portfolio provides our customers all the right features from high performance and low power to expanded temperature ranges, smaller packaging and a more robust eco-system environment."

The already robust eco-system of the SAMA5D3 MPUs has been expanded to include partners we are collaborating with closely. The free Atmel Linux distribution is now available on the Yocto build system at linux4sam.com, and a free Android 4.2 port at www.at91.com/android4sam. In addition, more C-language examples are available in the Atmel software package (aka softpack) for non-OS users. Atmel also expanded the SAMA5D3 ecosystem significantly with the addition of a Windows Compact 7 BSP, QNX, NuttX BSP, Micrium uC-OS/III operating system support, Rowley Crossworks or ATollic True Studio development tool support, as well as active-semi power management ICs. More information available on our eco-system suppliers.

Availability and Pricing
The Atmel Cortex A5 Processor-based MPUs are shipping in production quantities now. Pricing starts at USD $6.95 for 1,000-piece quantities.

About Atmel
Atmel Corporation (ATML) is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers, capacitive touch solutions, 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 industrial, consumer, communications, computing and automotive markets.