Atmel has announced a new series of Atmel | SMART ARM® Cortex®-A5-based microprocessors (MPUs). Firmly targeted at IoT applications they are said to deliver the world’s lowest power consumption for all MPUs in their class. They deliver sub 200 µA in retention mode with context preserved, 30 µs ultra-fast wake-up and a new backup mode with DDR in self-refresh at only 50 µA. Among the built-in features of the Atmel | SMART SAMA5D2 series includes a complete audio subsystem, lower pin-count and ultra-small package. The integrated PCI-level security capabilities will find applications in IoT devices, wearables and point of sale (POS) equipment.

"As a leader in ultra-low power MCU and MPU IoT solutions, we are excited to launch the new Atmel | SMART SAMA5D2 series for designers requiring a general, entry-level MPU,” said Jacko Wilbrink, Sr. Director of MPUs, Atmel Corporation. “Designers for industrial IoT, wearables and POS applications are demanding more performance, lower power, smaller form factors and additional security for their next-generation applications. The Atmel SAMA5D2 is well positioned for these demanding requirements, delivering the world’s lowest power MPU, along with low-system cost and PCI level security."

Featuring an ARM NEON™ engine, the new SAMA5D2 series delivers 500 MHz and 166 MHz of system clocking. The memory system includes a configurable 16- or 32-bit DDR interface controller, 16-bit external bus interface (EBI), QSPI Flash interface, ROM with secure and non-secure boot solution, 128 kB of SRAM plus 128 kB of L2Cache configurable as SRAM extension. The user interface system for the SAMA5D2 includes a 24-bit TFT LCD controller, an audio subsystem with fractional PLL, multiple I2S and SSC/TDM channels, a stereo class D amplifier and Digital microphone support.

Early samples of the SAMA5D2 are available now, and ATSAMA5D2-XULT Xplained Ultra boards are available in October. First production quantities of the Atmel | SMART SAMA5D2 series will ship in December 2015 and pricing starts at $4.95 for 1,000-piece quantities.