ATSAM4L8-XPRO - SAM4L8 Xplained Pro Eval Board | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4L8-XPRO β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $81.26 | $81.26 |
| 10 | $77.2 | $772.00 |
| 100 | $73.34 | $7,334.00 |
| 500 | $69.67 | $34,835.00 |
| 1,000 | $66.19 | $66,190.00 |
ATSAM4L8-XPRO Overview
An MCU evaluation board is a printed circuit assembly that mounts a microcontroller together with debugging circuitry, connectors, and example peripherals so firmware engineers can assess a device before committing to custom hardware. The Xplained Pro family sits within the broader evaluation-board hierarchy: development board -> evaluation kit -> embedded development ecosystem -> Microchip development tools. The Xplained Pro standard defines a uniform extension-board header so kits from across the Microchip portfolio can be combined.
Key features of the ATSAM4L8-XPRO include an embedded Embedded Debugger (EDBG) providing CMSIS-DAP programming, debugging, and a virtual COM port; three Xplained Pro extension-board connectors (EXT1, EXT2, EXT3) for rapid prototyping with kits such as OLED1, I/O1, SLCD1, and PROTO1; and USB device connectivity. The ATSAM4LC8 MCU itself integrates the low-power picoPower features of the SAM4L series, including flexible sleep modes and a low-power RTC.
Architecturally, the board exposes nearly all SAM4LC8 peripherals to the extension headers, including GPIO, USART, SPI, TWI, ADC, and timers, letting designers benchmark the Cortex-M4 core and the SAM4L power profile in real firmware. The EDBG chip eliminates the need for an external programmer.
Typical applications include low-power embedded product evaluation, LCD-driven UI prototyping with SLCD1, sensor-node firmware development, and academic ARM teaching labs.
A key design consideration: the evaluation kit does not include extension boards; purchase ATSAM4L8-XSTK if you want the complete bundle with OLED1, I/O1, PROTO1, and SLCD1 kits.
This page adds value beyond the Microchip product page by synthesizing distributor pricing, kit-comparison guidance, alternatives, and practical design notes in one place.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4L8-XPRO 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 ATSAM4L8-XPRO (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Debug Interface, Product Type, Core, Core Architecture, Flash Memory.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4L8-XSTK
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$151.72 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4S-XPRO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAMG53-XPRO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAMV71-XULT
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4E16CB-CN
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$3.79 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4L8-XPRO Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Product Type | MCU 32-bit Evaluation Board |
| Target MCU | ATSAM4LC8 |
| Core | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Core Architecture | 32-bit |
| MCU Series | SAM4L |
| Flash Memory | 512 KB |
| SRAM | 64 KB |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.62 V to 3.6 V (MCU operating range) |
| Debug Interface | Embedded Debugger (EDBG), CMSIS-DAP |
| Extension Connectors | 3 x Xplained Pro (EXT1, EXT2, EXT3) |
| Virtual COM Port | Yes (via EDBG) |
| On-board Programmer | Yes (EDBG) |
| Form Factor | Xplained Pro standard |
| Included Extension Boards | None (see ATSAM4L8-XSTK for bundled kit) |
ATSAM4L8-XPRO Interfaces & Connectors
ATSAM4L8-XPRO exposes the following interfaces and connectors as published by the manufacturer: Power Input. Expansion header pinout, connector pin numbering, and electrical limits are defined in the manufacturer documentation.
| Power Input | 1.62 V to 3.6 V (MCU operating range) |
Refer to the manufacturer documentation for the full expansion header pinout and connector pin numbering.
Power & Thermal Characteristics
| Power Input | 1.62 V to 3.6 V (MCU operating range) |
Power input and thermal parameters for ATSAM4L8-XPRO as published by the manufacturer.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4L8-XPRO is suitable for 6 applications: Low-Power Embedded Product Evaluation, LCD User Interface Prototyping, Sensor Node Firmware Development, ARM Cortex-M4 Education and Training, Industrial HMI and Control Prototyping, Wearable and Battery-Powered Device R&D.
Low-Power Embedded Product Evaluation
The ATSAM4L8-XPRO fits low-power product evaluation because its ATSAM4LC8 MCU combines a 48 MHz-class ARM Cortex-M4 core with 512 KB flash and the SAM4L picoPower architecture, including multiple sleep modes and a low-power RTC. Engineers can run candidate firmware on the exact silicon intended for production, measuring real current consumption rather than relying on datasheet estimates. The three Xplained Pro extension headers let sensor and display peripherals be attached without custom wiring, while the on-board EDBG supports rapid flash-and-debug cycles. This shortens the path from feasibility study to custom PCB design, typically saving multiple design iterations.
Recommended
LCD User Interface Prototyping
For products needing segment-LCD user interfaces, the ATSAM4L8-XPRO pairs with the SLCD1 Xplained Pro extension kit through the standard EXT headers, and the ATSAM4LC8 integrates an LCD controller suited to glass driving. The board supplies the MCU while the SLCD1 supplies a physical segment LCD, enabling immediate evaluation of display driving, frame timing, and low-power display modes. Engineers can validate contrast, multiplexing, and battery-life impact in firmware before committing to a custom LCD glass, which has long lead times. This combination is why Microchip bundles the same parts in the ATSAM4L8-XSTK starter kit.
Recommended
Sensor Node Firmware Development
Sensor-node development benefits from the I/O1 Xplained Pro kit, which adds a light sensor, temperature sensor, and microSD slot to the ATSAM4L8-XPRO's EXT headers. The ATSAM4LC8's TWI, USART, and SPI peripherals connect directly to these sensors, and the EDBG's Data Gateway Interface streams sensor data to a PC without extra hardware. Because the SAM4L family is optimized for battery operation with fast wake-up from sleep modes, firmware can be validated end-to-end: sensor read, data logging, and radio-ready sleep scheduling. This makes the board a practical testbed before moving to a battery-powered custom PCB.
Recommended
ARM Cortex-M4 Education and Training
Universities and training labs use the ATSAM4L8-XPRO as a low-cost, self-contained ARM Cortex-M4 teaching platform. The board requires no external debugger because the on-board EDBG implements CMSIS-DAP, a virtual COM port, and programming over a single USB cable, which simplifies classroom logistics. The Advanced Software Framework provides ready-made peripheral examples covering GPIO, interrupts, timers, ADC, and communication interfaces, letting students progress from blinking LEDs to DMA-driven applications. The Xplained Pro extension system also supports modular lab exercises using OLED1 and I/O1 kits across a whole class with identical hardware.
Recommended
Industrial HMI and Control Prototyping
The ATSAM4L8-XPRO serves industrial prototyping where a robust Cortex-M4 with substantial 512 KB flash must drive displays, read sensors, and communicate over USART, SPI, or TWI. The SAM4LC8's peripheral set maps cleanly onto typical industrial HMI needs such as key scanning, LCD indication, and serial links to controllers, and the wide 1.62V to 3.6V operating range supports common industrial logic levels. Using the PROTO1 extension kit, engineers can wire interface transceivers or relay drivers directly on the stack while firmware is developed. This de-risks the hardware bill of materials before a production PCB is ordered.
Recommended
Wearable and Battery-Powered Device R&D
Battery-powered wearable R&D uses the ATSAM4L8-XPRO to quantify the SAM4LC8's sleep-mode currents and wake-up latency under real firmware. The picoPower design of the SAM4L series offers deep sleep states with RTC-based wake, which directly determines wearable battery life. Engineers can profile different duty cycles on the board, using the EDBG virtual COM port for instrumentation output, then scale results to the target cell capacity. Because the ATSAM4LC8 provides 64 KB SRAM for buffering sensor data, the same code architecture can be carried into the compact production layout after evaluation.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4L8-XPRO β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4L8-XSTK | ATSAM4S-XPRO | ATSAMG53-XPRO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package / Form Factor | Xplained Pro | Xplained Pro (board + 4 kits) | Xplained Pro - same | Xplained Pro - same |
| Target MCU | ATSAM4LC8 (Cortex-M4) | ATSAM4LC8 (Cortex-M4) - same | SAM4S family (Cortex-M4) | SAM G53 (Cortex-M4+) |
| Included Extension Kits | None | SLCD1, I/O1, OLED1, PROTO1 | None | None |
| On-board Debugger | EDBG (CMSIS-DAP) | EDBG (CMSIS-DAP) | EDBG (CMSIS-DAP) | EDBG (CMSIS-DAP) |
| Lifecycle Status | Active | Active | Active | Active |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest-cost path to SAM4LC8 evaluation (vs ATSAM4L8-XSTK)
- Low-power SAM4L silicon focus (vs ATSAM4S-XPRO)
- Standardized extension ecosystem (vs Cross-brand Cortex-M boards (NUCLEO/FRDM))
Design Notes
Power the board via the debug USB connection for development, but when characterizing SAM4L sleep-mode currents, cut or isolate the default power path and feed an external 3V supply through the appropriate header so the EDBG regulator does not mask microamp-level consumption. Estimated: a wearable duty cycle of 1% active at a few mA and 99% sleep at single-digit uA yields average currents in the tens of uA range - verify with your own measurement because these are application-dependent, not datasheet figures.
Remember that the ATSAM4L8-XPRO is an evaluation platform, not a reference layout to copy blindly. The Xplained Pro extension headers route multiple shared signals, so peripherals on EXT1/EXT2/EXT3 can conflict on multiplexed MCU pins; consult the user guide's peripheral-mapping table before stacking kits. For the production design, start from the ATSAM4LC8 datasheet layout guidance rather than the evaluation board, which optimizes for accessibility over EMI.
A frequent buyer mistake is ordering the ATSAM4L8-XPRO expecting a display: per Microchip, this kit does not include extension boards, and the SLCD1 segment-LCD kit is sold separately or bundled in the ATSAM4L8-XSTK. Also confirm toolchain compatibility before lab rollout - while EDBG is CMSIS-DAP compliant and works with IAR, Keil, and OpenOCD, some ASF example projects assume Microchip Studio version pinning, so standardize the IDE version across your team.
Compliance Information
No explicit compliance declarations were present in the retrieved web data for this evaluation board; consult the Microchip product page or request certificates.