Atmel Wireless Solutions for IoT

We present an overview of Atmel's new wireless products, released in 2015 and positioned as solutions for use in the development of Internet of Things devices. From the point of view of Atmel, the fundamental requirements for such products are miniaturization, a high degree of integration of solutions, low consumption and low cost.

The article will focus on WiFi, BLE lines and Cortex M0 microcontrollers with a built-in 2.4 MHz radio transmitter.

Wi-Fi

ATWILC1000

SoC (System-on-Chip) with SDIO interface, designed to work with the microprocessor as a host. The chip does not contain a TCP / IP stack, so its work with microcontrollers is not the main option, although theoretically, of course, it is possible. The Linux driver for the ATWILC1000 is included in the standard kernel build for SAMA5 processors.
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In addition to SDIO, which is used to control and transfer data, the chip has a set of optional interfaces I2C Slave (for control), SPI Master (for interacting with external flash-memory), I2C Master (for working with external EEPROM), UART (for outputting debug information), 9 I / O ports. It is also possible to transfer data via UART. In this case, the speed will be much lower.

This solution is being released both in the version of a separate chip in QFN-40 and WLCSP packages (something like BGA), and in the form of an SMD module under a metal shield and a diluted antenna.

Execution in the form of a chip requires external quartz with a frequency in the range of 12-40 MHz and is available in the following modifications:

• ATWILC1000B-MU-T - QFN-40 body, 5 × 5 mm
• ATWILC1000B-UU-T - WLCSP package (55 contacts), 3.25 × 3.25 mm

Options in the form of a finished module:

• ATWILC1000-MR110PB - module version with a chip antenna and PCB antenna
• ATWILC1000-MR110UB - module version with a chip antenna and a uFL connector

Module dimensions are 22 × 15 mm.

ATWINC1500

WINC1500 is a “network” controller that contains a TCP / IP stack and is designed to work with a microcontroller as a host. WINC1500 is not demanding of microcontroller resources, so it can work with almost any stone as a host, including AVR and Cortex M0.

Technically, the WINC1500 is the same WINC1000, but with a built-in flash drive, which contains the TCP / IP stack. In one of our past articles we have already talked about the example of working with this module.

Versions:

• ATWINC1500B-MU - as a separate chip ATWINC1500 is available in QFN-40 package.
• ATWINC1500-MR210PB - in the form of a module, more simple to use version by analogy with the WILC1000.

ATSAMW25

SAMW25 is a Wi-Fi module that combines the WINC1500 chip and the SAMD21 microcontroller with the ARM M0 + core under one shield. Peripheral integrated controller, displayed on the external pins of the module. Thus, you can do without a host controller at the end device. For the developer, this solution allows to simplify the circuit design, reduce the occupied space and the total cost of the BOM. In this case, the programmer works with the module as with a conventional microcontroller.



The use of modules, in addition to simplifying circuit design, avoids the mandatory certification of the end device required when using a separate chip, as the modules are already certified by Atmel.

Bluetooth

The Bluetooth lineup implements a slightly different approach than the Wi-Fi lineup:

• ATBTLC1000 - the so-called link controller - SoC, which implements all levels of the stack BLE4.1. The stack is stored in ROM. Work requires a host controller connected via SPI or UART. The chip can also execute a program recorded in an external flash-memory connected via SPI.
• ATSAMB11 - SoC, obtained by adding flash inside the chip case. The result is an integrated single-chip solution, in which the user firmware is written and executed inside.

The solution is based on the core Cortex M0. To perform custom functions, the chips have a set of peripherals: GPIO, 2 × SPI, 2 × UART, 2 × I2C, 4 × PWM, 2 11-bit ADC channels, etc.

ATBTLC1000

There are several versions available:

• ATBTLC1000A-MU - QFN-32 body, 4 × 4 mm.
• ATBTLC1000A-UU - WLCSP package, 31 contacts, 2.262 × 2.142 mm. Unlike the case, the QFN contains slightly less GPIO.
• ATBTLC1000-MR110CA - execution in the form of a finished and certified module, dimensions of 20 × 12.7 mm.

ATSAMB11

Physically, this is the same BTLC1000 with a built-in flash drive, in which the stack is crammed.



By tradition, the performance in the form of a chip and a module:

• SAM B11 - SOC in the QFN-48 package, 6 × 6 mm
• SAMB11-MR210CA - module on 40 pads and dimensions of 22.9 × 15.4 mm

ARM Cortex-M0 + based IEEE 802.15.4 Wireless MCUs

To build a network of radio sensors and actuators, Atmel introduced in 2015 a new family of systems on the crystal — the SAMR21 — a microcontroller with the Cortex M0 + core with an integrated 2.4 GHz radio transceiver.

The characteristics of the microcontroller itself are similar to the SAMD21 family:

• Core frequency 48 MHz
• Up to 256 KB flash
• Performance 2.14 CoreMark / MHz
• 12 DMA channels
• Consumption less than 70μA / MHz
• Up to 5 universal SERCOM communication modules
• Built-in touch key controller
• 12-bit ADC
• Full Speed ​​USB device and host

Available housing options:



Atmel Studio 7 has a large number of examples, including 6LoWPAN and LwMesh ported stacks.