ATSAM3N-EK - ARM Cortex-M3 MCU Evaluation Kit | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM3N-EK β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $154.57 | $154.57 |
| 10 | $147 | $1,470.00 |
| 100 | $139 | $13,900.00 |
| 500 | $132 | $66,000.00 |
| 1,000 | $125 | $125,000.00 |
ATSAM3N-EK Overview
An MCU evaluation kit (also called an eval board or development kit) is a hardware platform that lets engineers assess a microcontroller family and begin firmware development before committing to custom PCB design. Evaluation kits sit within the broader embedded development ecosystem alongside in-circuit emulators, debuggers, and software IDEs, forming the first step in the ARM Cortex-M design flow.
Key features of the ATSAM3N-EK include a standard 20-pin JTAG/ICE connector compatible with ARM emulators such as the Segger SAM-ICE, an integrated LCD for graphical output, and an embedded regulator that allows the board to run from a single supply. The supported ATSAM3N MCU family is Atmel's entry point into Cortex-M3 technology and is pin-to-pin compatible with the best-selling Atmel SAM7S and SAM3S series, enabling easy migration between families. Native Atmel QTouch capacitive touch support is available in the SAM3N devices, allowing touch-interface prototyping on the platform.
The SAM3N architecture converges Cortex-M3 performance with design simplicity, targeting cost-sensitive, high-volume applications. According to the ATSAM3N series datasheet (Atmel doc11011), the SAM3N series is pin-to-pin compatible with the SAM3S series, so firmware and hardware investments are preserved when moving between cost tiers.
Typical applications evaluated on this kit include industrial control panels, consumer appliance interfaces with LCD and capacitive touch, and general-purpose embedded systems where a low-cost 32-bit MCU with rich peripherals is required.
A key design consideration: use the on-board JTAG connector with SAM-ICE or a compatible emulator for full debug capability, and develop with Atmel Studio / Keil MDK for seamless device support.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, kit specifications, and practical evaluation guidance not found together in the manufacturer documentation.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM3N-EK β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with ATSAM3N-EK (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Core Architecture, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM3S-EK
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet βATSAM4S-EK
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM3N4C-EK
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM7S-EK
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
SAM3N-XPLAINED
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM3N-EK Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Product Type | MCU Evaluation Board |
| Contents | Board |
| For Use With/Related Products | ATSAM3N series |
| Core Architecture | ARM Cortex-M3, 32-bit |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Debug Interface | Standard 20-pin JTAG/ICE connector |
| Compatible Emulators | Segger SAM-ICE and compatible ARM JTAG emulators |
| Display | On-board LCD |
| Power Supply | Embedded regulator |
| Touch Technology | Atmel QTouch capacitive touch (native in SAM3N devices) |
| Family Compatibility | Pin-to-pin compatible with Atmel SAM7S and SAM3S series |
| Lead Free Status | Lead Free |
| RoHS Status | RoHS Compliant |
ATSAM3N-EK Interfaces & Connectors
No manufacturer-published interface list is available for ATSAM3N-EK. Refer to the manufacturer documentation for connector and header details.
Refer to the manufacturer documentation for the full expansion header pinout and connector pin numbering.
Typical Applications
ATSAM3N-EK is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panel Development, Consumer Appliance User Interfaces, Cortex-M3 Learning and Training Platforms, Prototype Migration from SAM7S Designs, Cost-Optimized IoT and Connectivity Nodes, LCD-Based Instrumentation Prototyping.
Industrial Control Panel Development
The ATSAM3N-EK fits industrial control panel development because the SAM3N's Cortex-M3 core at 48 MHz provides ample processing for control loops, while the on-board LCD supports human-machine interface prototyping. The kit's 20-pin JTAG connector with SAM-ICE enables source-level debugging of real-time firmware, and the embedded regulator simplifies bench bring-up from a single supply. Because the SAM3N family is pin-to-pin compatible with the SAM3S series per Atmel doc11011, a panel design validated on this kit can be cost-optimized or feature-extended by dropping in a SAM3S device without PCB rework. Engineers typically evaluate UART, SPI, and I2C peripherals on the kit before transferring the pin map to the production layout.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance User Interfaces
Consumer appliances require low-cost 32-bit control with touch and display interfaces, and the ATSAM3N-EK addresses this directly: the on-board LCD exercises display firmware while native Atmel QTouch capacitive touch support in the SAM3N device enables button, slider, and wheel prototyping without external touch controllers. The SAM3N's aggressive price point, cited by Atmel as its entry point into Cortex-M3 technology, matches the cost targets of high-volume appliance BOMs. Development on the kit with Atmel Studio's QTouch Library covers channel configuration, tuning, and validation, shortening the path from bench prototype to production PCB using the pin-compatible SAM3N MCU.
Recommended
Cortex-M3 Learning and Training Platforms
The ATSAM3N-EK is an effective training platform for engineers entering ARM Cortex-M3 embedded development. Atmel positioned the SAM3N as its entry point into Cortex-M3 technology, converging performance and simplicity, which makes the kit approachable for first-time 32-bit users. The 48 MHz core, standard 20-pin JTAG interface, and embedded regulator create a low-friction bench setup: connect a SAM-ICE, install Atmel Studio or Keil MDK (both officially support the SAM3N subfamily per the Arm Keil device database), and debug at source level on the first session. The on-board LCD provides an immediately visible output target for GPIO, timer, and peripheral exercises in lab curricula.
Recommended
Prototype Migration from SAM7S Designs
Teams maintaining legacy Atmel SAM7S (ARM7TDMI) products can use the ATSAM3N-EK to prototype a low-risk migration to the Cortex-M3 architecture. Because the SAM3N series is pin-to-pin compatible with the best-selling SAM7S series, the production PCB footprint is retained and only firmware changes are required. The kit allows the migrated firmware to be validated on real hardware - verifying peripheral behavior, interrupt timing, and clock configuration differences between ARM7 and Cortex-M3 - before any board respin. The LCD and embedded regulator on the kit additionally support testing of the human-interface portion of legacy designs during the migration window.
Recommended
Cost-Optimized IoT and Connectivity Nodes
Cost-sensitive IoT sensor and actuator nodes benefit from the SAM3N's balance of 32-bit performance and price. On the ATSAM3N-EK, engineers can prototype the node's control firmware and evaluate the MCU's UART, SPI, and I2C links to radio or sensor modules, using the kit's LCD for state indication during bench testing. The SAM3N datasheet emphasizes that the series' high integration and aggressive price point push its scope of use into cost-sensitive, high-volume applications - exactly the profile of deployed IoT endpoints. Once validated, the pin-compatible SAM3S family offers a performance upgrade path without PCB changes, protecting the node design against future feature creep.
Recommended
LCD-Based Instrumentation Prototyping
Portable and bench instrumentation with segment or graphic LCD displays can be prototyped on the ATSAM3N-EK, which ships with an on-board LCD as a core peripheral. The 48 MHz Cortex-M3 core drives display refresh and measurement sequencing concurrently, and the embedded regulator demonstrates the single-supply power architecture typical of battery-operated instruments. Debugging over the 20-pin JTAG connector with SAM-ICE allows timing-sensitive measurement code to be profiled without disturbing real-time behavior. Because the SAM3N is RoHS compliant and lead free, prototype work aligns with production compliance requirements, and the pin-compatible SAM3S family provides additional analog integration if the instrument specification grows.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM3N-EK β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM3S-EK | ATSAM4S-EK | ATSAM7S-EK | SAM3N-XPLAINED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package / Form Factor | Development board with 20-pin JTAG, LCD | Development board, same platform concept | Development board, same platform concept | Development board, same platform concept | Compact Xplained board, no LCD |
| Brand | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) |
| Target MCU Family | ATSAM3N (Cortex-M3) | ATSAM3S (Cortex-M3, pin-compatible) | ATSAM4S (Cortex-M4, pin-compatible) | ATSAM7S (ARM7TDMI, pin-compatible) | ATSAM3N (same family) |
| Debug Interface | Standard 20-pin JTAG/ICE connector | 20-pin JTAG/ICE | 20-pin JTAG/ICE | 20-pin JTAG/ICE | Embedded debugger (EDBG-style) |
| On-board Display | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD | None |
| Power | Embedded regulator | Embedded regulator | Embedded regulator | Embedded regulator | USB powered |
Key Differentiators
- Entry-point Cortex-M3 economics (vs ATSAM3S-EK)
- Triple-family pin compatibility (vs ATSAM7S-EK)
- Integrated LCD plus QTouch on one kit (vs SAM3N-XPLAINED)
Design Notes
The ATSAM3N-EK requires a standard 20-pin JTAG emulator such as the Segger SAM-ICE; the board does not include a debugger, unlike newer Xplained kits. Budget for the emulator in your tooling plan before the board arrives. Also confirm the exact SAM3N variant fitted to your board revision from the user guide, since the SAM3N family spans multiple Flash sizes and peripheral sets - code written against a larger variant may not link for a smaller one.
The kit includes an embedded voltage regulator, so a single external supply powers the whole board including the MCU core. When designing the eventual production PCB, mirror this approach by validating the regulator topology used on the kit, then cross-check against the SAM3N datasheet (doc11011) supply specifications. Measure rail ripple during LCD refresh on the kit, since display switching can introduce supply noise that is easier to characterize on the eval board than on a custom layout.
When prototyping QTouch capacitive channels on the SAM3N, route touch traces away from the LCD flex and high-speed JTAG signals; the kit layout demonstrates acceptable separation but a custom PCB must replicate it. Use the QTouch Library tuning flow in Atmel Studio to establish acquisition settings on the kit hardware before freezing the production sensor pad geometry, and re-validate after any enclosure change since touch sensitivity is highly dependent on the overlay thickness and ground environment.
Compliance Information
Lead Free Status: Lead Free; RoHS Status: RoHS Compliant per Atmel product specifications (DigChip). REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals status not stated in provided data.