As the embedded market continues to rapidly grow and evolve, developers are striving to optimize product development that might otherwise require a transition from microcontrollers (MCUs) to microprocessors (MPUs) to handle higher processing demands. To assist developers in this transition and reduce design complexity, Microchip Technology Inc has announced the ARM926EJ-S-based SAM9X60D1G-SOM embedded microprocessor running up to 600 MHz, further expanding its Microprocessor System-on-Module (SOM) ) product portfolio. The software for the SAM9X60D1G-SOM is available with bare metal or RTOS support via MPLAB Harmony 3, or with full Linux mainline distribution support.
Based on the SAM9X60D1G System-in-Package (SiP), the new SOM is a small 28 mm × 28 mm hand-soldered module that includes the MPU and DDR, as well as power, clock and memory in a single package. The SAM9X60D1G-SOM is Microchip's first SOM with 4 Gb SLC NAND flash to maximize data storage in application devices, while onboard DDR reduces supply and price risks associated with memory chips. The small form factor SAM9X60D1G-SOM also includes an MCP16501 power management IC (PMIC), which simplifies the power supply design effort to a single 5V rail, enabling the system to achieve lower power consumption.
To provide functionality that may be required in an Ethernet connected system, the SAM9X60D1G-SOM contains a 10/100 KSZ8081 Ethernet PHY and a 1 Kb serial EEPROM with a pre-programmed MAC address (EUI-48). Customers can further customize the design based on the level of security protection required, such as secure boot with on-chip secure key storage (OTP), hardware encryption engines (TDES, AES and SHA) and true random generator (TRNG).
"With the SAM9X60D1G-SOM, designers can take advantage of mid-range performance microprocessors and greatly reduce design complexity," said Rod Drake, vice president of Microchip's 32-bit MPU business unit. "This latest SOM provides customers with direct access to Microchip This small form factor solution relieves the logistical burden of separately sourcing six active components and numerous passive components on the SOM.”
The SAM9X60D1G-SOM is the latest MPU-based SOM product using a common set of proven Microchip components to reduce design complexity and overall PCB cost. For example, customers can use low-cost four-layer PCBs to design products because complex devices are already routed on the SOM.
The SOM and components are suitable for Microchip's customer-driven product discontinuation mechanism, that is, continuing to supply products for as long as possible while product demand exists. This is especially important in today's high demand and tight supply semiconductor environment.
The SAM9X60D1G-SOM is designed for many MPU32 end applications in a variety of industries such as medical equipment, automotive telematics and infotainment systems, electric vehicle charging equipment, industrial and automation controls, and more. It is also particularly suitable for products designed to provide computing power with multiple communication interfaces. These interfaces are certified once and can be customized for different projects.
