Atmel has expanded its ARM Cortex-M4 processor-based flash microcontroller family to include devices with extra connectivity peripherals, a floating point unit (FPU), analogue capabilities, and higher processing power.
The SAM4E microcontrollers have a maximum operating frequency of 120MHz, a FPU and an integrated cache providing zero wait state flash access at full speed.
For memory there is flash memory up to 1MB, safety and security features, and extensive communication links such as Ethernet IEEE1588 MAC, USB 2.0 device and dual CAN.
On-chip has been added two independent 16-bit ADCs offering dual sample and hold capability, offset and gain error correction, programmable-gain amplifier which will measure a wide input signal range.
“Industrial applications that serve the manufacturing automation market, such as programmable logic controller (PLC), require microcontrollers that deliver higher performance, advanced connectivity and better analogue capability,” said Ingar Fredriksen, senior director of microcontrollers, Atmel.
Atmel Studio 6
To help accelerate a designer’s project, the SAM4E series, is supported by the Atmel Studio 6 integrated development platform (IDP).
Available as a free download, Atmel Studio 6 includes the Atmel Software Framework, a complete library of source code, project examples, drivers and stacks.