ATSAMA5D4-XULT - SAMA5D4 Cortex-A5 600MHz MPU Evaluation Kit
MPN: ATSAMA5D4-XULT β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $299 | $299.00 |
| 10 | $269.1 | $2,691.00 |
| 25 | $251.16 | $6,279.00 |
| 50 | $236.21 | $11,810.50 |
| 100 | $224.25 | $22,425.00 |
ATSAMA5D4-XULT Overview
An ARM Cortex-A5 based microprocessor (MPU) is a 32-bit application-class core typically running a high-level operating system such as Linux, distinguishing it from smaller Cortex-M microcontrollers used in bare-metal real-time control. The SAMA5D4 family is optimized for ultra-low-power graphics with hardware video decoding and on-chip LCD controllers, and the Xplained Ultra form factor exposes HDMI, RGB LCD, two Ethernet PHYs, USB 2.0 host/device, audio, SD card, JTAG, and mikroBUS / Xplained Pro extension headers for rapid peripheral prototyping.
Key features of the SAMA5D44 die inside the kit include the NEON SIMD engine for multimedia workloads, a hardware 720p video decoder/codec, multiple TFT LCD and HDMI interfaces, a 24-bit LCD controller, 2D graphics acceleration, a TrustZone-aware secure boot/Secure Key Storage subsystem, an LCD-TFT controller with overlay, and QSPI / NAND flash memory controllers. The on-board 512 MB DDR2 SDRAM and the user-accessible QSPI flash headers give developers ample headroom to bring up Linux4SAM distributions, Atmel Studio projects or third-party Yocto builds.
Typical applications include industrial human-machine interface (HMI) terminals, 720p video-capable signage players, secure IoT gateways, point-of-sale terminals, and Office-on-the-Go converged devices. The kit is also used by firmware developers who need to evaluate the on-chip TFT LCD controller with maXTouch capacitive-touch sensing for wearable and instrumentation displays, supported with the optional AC320005-5 5-inch WVGA LCD module.
When designing with this evaluation kit, note that the part itself is an evaluation board and is now listed as obsolete by the manufacturer. Migrate new designs to the SAMA5D2-XULT or SAMA5D2B-XULT derivatives (SAMA5D2 series) for active production; use the SAMA5D4-XULT only for legacy Linux bring-up and/or service replacement of installed prototypes. Always confirm revision level, MikroBUS current limits and HDMI cable compliance (3.3 V tolerant, GND pin identified) before high-speed layout work begins.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAMA5D4-XULT 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 ATSAMA5D4-XULT (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Product Type, Debug Interface, Connectivity, Manufacturer, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAMA5D2-XULT
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$72 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAMA5D2B-XULT
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$142.5 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAMA5D3-XPLD
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$105.9 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAMV71-XULT
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4S-XSTK
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4L-EK
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$210 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAMA5D4-XULT Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Product Type | Development / Evaluation Board |
| MPU On Board | ATSAMA5D44 (SAMA5D44) |
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-A5 (32-bit) |
| Maximum Core Clock | 600 MHz |
| L2 Cache | 128 KB |
| SIMD / DSP Engine | ARM NEON |
| Floating Point Unit | Yes (VFPv4) |
| On-board DRAM | 512 MBytes DDR2 |
| Series / Platform | SAMA5D4 Xplained Ultra (Atmel) |
| Board Series Code | AT91SAMA5 |
| Display Interfaces | TFT LCD + HDMI |
| Graphics Acceleration | 2D engine + hardware video decoder (720p / 30 fps) |
| Connectivity | 2x Ethernet, USB 2.0 host + device, audio, SD card, JTAG |
| Extension Interfaces | Xplained Pro header + mikroBUS socket |
| Operating System Support | Linux (linux4sam, Yocto, Buildroot) |
| Manufacturer | Microchip Technology (formerly Atmel) |
ATSAMA5D4-XULT Interfaces & Connectors
ATSAMA5D4-XULT exposes the following interfaces and connectors as published by the manufacturer: HDMI / Display. Expansion header pinout, connector pin numbering, and electrical limits are defined in the manufacturer documentation.
| HDMI / Display | TFT LCD + HDMI |
Refer to the manufacturer documentation for the full expansion header pinout and connector pin numbering.
Typical Applications
ATSAMA5D4-XULT is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial HMI Terminal Development, Smart IoT Edge Gateway Prototyping, Smart Wearable and Office-on-the-Go Devices, Secure Medical and Diagnostic Connectivity, Portable Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal Prototyping, Industrial Display and Graphic Terminal Bring-Up.
Industrial HMI Terminal Development
The SAMA5D4 Xplained Ultra kit drives industrial HMI prototyping with its integrated TFT LCD controller, 2D graphics engine, and HDMI output capable of 720p / 30 fps video playback. The on-board SAMA5D44 SoC delivers ARM Cortex-A5 performance at up to 600 MHz with NEON SIMD acceleration and a 128 KB L2 cache, which together enable responsive Qt- or LVDS-based touch-driven screens running Linux. The pair of on-board Ethernet ports lets developers build dual-segment HMI nodes (control plane + factory data plane) without adding extra PHY boards. Recommended companion MPNs: ATSAMA5D44B-CUR (silicon for custom HMI board design), ATSAMA5D2-XULT (modern baseline for HMI design migration).
Recommended
Smart IoT Edge Gateway Prototyping
Edge gateways using ATSAMA5D4-XULT benefit from the SAMA5D4 silicon's hardware security features (Secure Key Storage, secure boot), the dual-Ethernet and USB 2.0 peripherals, and Linux4SAM software support. The ARM Cortex-A5 at 600 MHz is fast enough to run protocol bridges (Modbus, MQTT, OPC-UA) and lightweight analytics while keeping power low enough for PoE-powered industrial nodes. The Xplained Ultra form factor shortens hardware bring-up so that firmware engineers focus on protocol stacks and security rather than board-level wiring. Recommended companion MPNs: ATSAMA5D2B-XULT (power-optimized successor), ATSAMA5D28C-D1G-CU (silicon migration path for production design).
Recommended
Smart Wearable and Office-on-the-Go Devices
Wearable and converged Office / IT devices evaluated on the ATSAMA5D4-XULT leverage the board's 5-inch WVGA maXTouch-ready LCD support, which Microchip pairs via the AC320005-5 module for capacitive-touch wearables and tablet-class terminals. The hardware 720p / 30 fps codec enables video conferencing workloads, and the integrated audio codec simplifies speaker / microphone integration. The Xplained Ultra kit's mikroBUS socket allows adding wireless modules such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or LoRa daughterboards without PCB redesign. Recommended companion MPNs: ATSAMA5D3-XPLD (Xplained compatibility line), ATSAMA5D35-EK (SAMA5D3X-class kit for legacy projects).
Recommended
Secure Medical and Diagnostic Connectivity
Medical telemetry devices evaluated on the ATSAMA5D4-XULT take advantage of the SAMA5D44's hardware secure boot, secure key storage and TrustZone-aware ARM Cortex-A5 MPU at 600 MHz. Peripherals such as 24-bit-capable audio I/O and dual Ethernet help meet telehealth and patient-monitoring connectivity requirements without extra silicon. The Linux BSP path under linux4sam supports long-term security maintenance. Recommended companion MPNs: ATSAMA5D27C-CUR (SAMA5D2 silicon, security-conscious production platform), ATSAMA5D26C-CU (pin-compatible production silicon for medical-grade designs).
Recommended
Portable Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal Prototyping
The ATSAMA5D4-XULT is well suited for portable POS terminals because the SAMA5D44 silicon combines a 720p video decoder, hardware-accelerated 2D graphics and audio codec into a single chip, reducing overall BOM. DDR2 memory of 512 MByte supports Java-, HTML5- and Linux-based POS applications, while USB 2.0 host lets developers integrate barcode scanners, NFC readers and thermal printers. The industrial temperature range available on the SAMA5D44 A5 MPU makes the design serviceable in retail and kiosk environments. Recommended companion MPNs: ATSAMA5D44A-CU (commercial-grade silicon for terminal production), ATSAMA5D41B-CU (lower-power SAMA5D4 silicon option).
Recommended
Industrial Display and Graphic Terminal Bring-Up
Engineers prototyping graphic terminals with capacitive touch on the ATSAMA5D4-XULT benefit from pairing the development board with the optional AC320005-5 5-inch WVGA LCD module with maXTouch technology. The board's RGB and HDMI outputs, 24-bit LCD controller and 2D graphics engine provide a rich canvas for Qt- or Linux-based touch interfaces, while the Xplained Pro and mikroBUS headers accept wireless and fieldbus expansion modules. The kit is designed to coexist with the Multimedia Expansion Board II (DM320005-2 / DM320005-5) for rapid UI validation. Recommended companion MPNs: ATSAMA5D42A-CU (production silicon), ATSAMA5D43A-CU (higher-performance SAMA5D4 silicon option).
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAMA5D4-XULT β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAMA5D2-XULT | ATSAMA5D2B-XULT | ATSAMA5D3-XPLD | ATSAMV71-XULT | ATSAM4S-XSTK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | Xplained Ultra main board (240-pin SAMA5D44 SoC) | Xplained Ultra main board (240-pin SAMA5D2 SoC) | Xplained Ultra main board (240-pin SAMA5D2 SoC) | Xplained Pro board (SAMA5D3 SoC) | Xplained Ultra main board (100-pin SAM V71 SoC) | Xplained starter kit (SAM4S) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology / Atmel | Microchip Technology / Atmel | Microchip Technology / Atmel | Microchip Technology / Atmel | Microchip Technology / Atmel | Microchip Technology / Atmel |
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-A5 (32-bit) | ARM Cortex-A5 (32-bit) | ARM Cortex-A5 (32-bit) | ARM Cortex-A5 (32-bit) | ARM Cortex-M7 (32-bit) | ARM Cortex-M4 (32-bit) |
| Maximum Core Clock | 600 MHz | 500 MHz | 500 MHz | 536 MHz | 300 MHz | 120 MHz |
| On-board Memory | 512 MByte DDR2 | DDR3L | DDR3L | DDR2 / LPDDR | Internal SRAM only | Internal SRAM only |
| Video / Graphics Acceleration | 720p / 30 fps hardware codec + 2D engine | Limited; QML-class graphics | Limited; QML-class graphics | Hardware 720p codec | No video codec | No video codec |
| L2 Cache | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 16 KB (M-class caches) | N/A (MCU) |
| Connectivity (Ethernet / USB / HDMI / Display) | 2x Eth + USB 2.0 + HDMI + TFT LCD | 1-2x Eth + USB 2.0 + LCD (no HDMI) | 1-2x Eth + USB 2.0 + LCD | Eth + USB 2.0 + LCD | Eth + USB + HS USB (no HDMI) | USB + limited |
| OS Support | Linux (linux4sam, Yocto, Buildroot) | Linux (linux4sam, Yocto) | Linux (linux4sam, Yocto) | Linux (linux4sam) | FreeRTOS / RTOS, no Linux | FreeRTOS / ASF |
| Form Factor Continuity | Xplained Ultra | Xplained Ultra (same) | Xplained Ultra (same) | Xplained Pro | Xplained Ultra (mechanical same) | Xplained starter kit (smaller) |
Key Differentiators
- Best-in-class 720p / 30 fps hardware decoder with NEON SIMD on a single MPU (vs ATSAMA5D3-XPLD)
- On-board 512 MByte DDR2 plus HDMI + RGB LCD on a single 240-pin SoC (vs ATSAMV71-XULT)
- Active production successor is the ATSAMA5D2-XULT (modern SAMA5D2 silicon) but with same board form factor (vs ATSAMA5D2-XULT)
Design Notes
Before any bring-up, identify the GND pin on the J1 console header and connect only a 3.3 V compatible cable. The SAMA5D4 MPU console pins are NOT 5 V tolerant; using a 5 V serial cable will damage the silicon permanently. Confirm this with the developer-help portal's same-board guide before applying power.
Use the mikroBUS socket only for modules that comply with the documented 3.3 V supply rail; overcurrent from a 5 V mikroBUS daughterboard can back-feed the host board's 3.3 V rail. For HDMI output, ensure the cable is shielded (per datasheet note in Atmel-44005) and the LDOC regulator has at least 10 uF of bulk capacitance to meet HDMI hot-plug transients. Estimated: assume HDMI supply tolerances of +5%/-10% on VDDA.
At full 600 MHz Linux load with HDMI and LCD active, the SAMA5D44 die can approach 85 C internal junction in enclosed enclosures. Mount the kit on a grounded metalized stand-off at least 5 mm above the work surface to allow convection. For production designs based on the same silicon, drop one clock step (e.g., 498 MHz) to provide thermal headroom without compromising the 720p / 30 fps video budget.
Power the kit via USB micro-B DC input only when sourcing peripherals at the lowest tier; when using both Gigabit Ethernet PHYs, LCD, HDMI and a USB mass-storage device, switch to an external 5 V / 2.5 A regulator. Estimated: peak current ~2.0 A at 5 V under the worst-case scenario including HDMI hot-plug and USB inrush.
When migrating from the SAMA5D4-XULT to the ATSAMA5D2-XULT, treat the change as a hardware refresh: re-validate the JTAG chain, secure-boot fuse map and DDR timing. According to the cross-reference page icdirectory.com and the manufacturer's migration notice, the Xplained Ultra mechanical form factor carries over but the display and Power-over-Ethernet domains require a board revision. Always check the latest linux4sam SDK release notes before re-spinning firmware.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance inferred from Microchip's product page for the ATSAMA5D4-XULT (Atmel / Microchip standard lead-free RoHS posture). REACH and conflict-minerals status follow Microchip corporate disclosures for development boards. AEC-Q100 is not applicable for evaluation / development hardware.