Microchip's SAMA5D2-SOM1 is a small single-sided system-on-module (SOM) based on the high-performance 32-bit Arm Cortex-A5 processor-based MPU SAMA5D27 running up to 500 MHz. The SAMA5D27 SOM1 is built on a common set of proven Microchip components to reduce time to market by simplifying hardware design and software development. The SOM also simplifies design rules of the main application board, reducing overall PCB complexity and cost. The SAMA5D27-SOM1 is delivered with a free Linux distribution and bare metal C code examples.

The SAMA5D2 family of products provides an extremely flexible design experience no matter the level of expertise. For example, the SOM, which integrates multiple external components and eliminates key design challenges around EMI, ESD, and signal integrity, can be used to expedite development time. Customers can solder the SOM to their board and take it to production, or it can be used as a reference design along with the free schematics, design, and Gerber files and complete bill of materials, which are available online. Customers can also transition from the SOM to the SiP or the MPU itself, depending on their design needs. No matter which device a customer selects, all products are backed by Microchip’s customer-driven obsolescence practice which ensures availability to customers for as long as needed. The Arm Cortex-A5-based SAMA5D2 SiP, mounted on the SOM PCB or available separately, integrates 1 Gb DDR2 memory, further simplifying the design by removing the high-speed memory interface constraints from the PCB. The impedance matching is done in the package, not manually during development, so the system will function properly at normal and low-speed operation.

This family features the highest levels of security in the industry, including PCI compliance, providing an excellent platform for customers to create secured designs. With integrated Arm TrustZone® and capabilities for tamper detection, secure data and program storage, hardware encryption engine, secure boot, and more, customers can work with Microchip’s security experts to evaluate their security needs and implement the level of protection that is right for their design. The SAMA5D2 SOM also contains Microchip’s QSPI NOR Flash memory, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC), an Ethernet PHY and serial EEPROM memory with a media access control (MAC) address to expand design options. Microchip’s SOMs shorten time to market by significantly reducing development time, software coding, and debugging, allowing designers to concentrate on the features of their application.