ATSAME70-XPLD - SAM E70 Xplained Ultra Cortex-M7 MCU Eval Kit | Microchip
MPN: ATSAME70-XPLD ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $138.5 | $138.50 |
| 10 | $129 | $1,290.00 |
| 25 | $122 | $3,050.00 |
| 50 | $115 | $5,750.00 |
| 100 | $108.5 | $10,850.00 |
ATSAME70-XPLD Overview
An evaluation board (development kit) is a pre-assembled PCB that integrates a target microcontroller, power supplies, programming/debug circuitry, and standardized expansion headers, allowing engineers to prototype firmware and validate peripherals before committing to a custom layout. The ATSAME70-XPLD belongs to Microchip's Xplained Pro family, which sits in the broader product hierarchy: development kit -> evaluation board -> embedded tools -> electronic engineering design aids. The board is specifically positioned for high-performance Cortex-M7 evaluation, sitting between entry-level Xplained Mini kits and application-specific system-on-module designs.
Key features include the on-board Embedded Debugger (EDBG) for programming and debugging over USB, a 480 Mbps USB Micro-B connector for USB host/device applications, a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet RJ45 connector, an SD card interface, two Xplained Pro extension headers, and a 3.3 V regulated supply rail derived from USB or external 5 V. The kit is also designed to accept SAME70 Xplained extension boards for cameras, displays, and radios, although no extension boards ship in the standard kit.
The ATSAME70Q21 silicon on the board implements the Cortex-M7 core with double-precision FPU, ICache, DCache, and Tightly Coupled Memory (TCM), giving deterministic real-time response alongside DSP-class signal processing throughput. The Ethernet MAC with IEEE 1588 support, HS USB PHY, and CAN-FD controllers make the SAME70 family well suited to industrial and automotive-networking prototypes where deterministic latency is required.
Typical applications include Cortex-M7 firmware bring-up, industrial HMI prototyping, audio processing evaluation, USB host/device stack development, Ethernet-connected IoT gateways, and motor-control algorithm development using the SAME70's PWM and ADC peripherals. The Xplained Pro ecosystem supports Microchip's Atmel Studio 7 and MPLAB X IDE toolchains.
When designing with this kit, ensure your bench power supply can deliver the peak current demanded by high-speed peripherals (USB, Ethernet PHYs) which can draw 200 mA or more during link training. Always update the on-board EDBG firmware to the latest revision before production programming, as older EDBG images may not support all SAME70 SWD commands.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAME70-XPLD — 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 ATSAME70-XPLD (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Processor, Ethernet, Mounting Type, Package, Product Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DM320113
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAME70Q21B-CN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$16.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAME70Q21A-CFNT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$11.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMS70-XPLD
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAMDA1-XPRO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$72 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAME70-XPLD Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Product Type | Evaluation Board (Xplained Pro) |
| Target MCU | ATSAME70Q21 |
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M7 with FPU |
| Core Architecture | 32-bit RISC |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 300 MHz |
| On-chip Flash | Up to 2,048 KB |
| On-chip SRAM | Up to 384 KB |
| Package | Xplained Pro PCB (144-pin headers) |
| USB Interface | USB Micro-B (High-Speed 480 Mbps) |
| Ethernet | 10/100 Mbps RJ45 (KSZ8051 PHY) |
| SD Card Interface | HS SDIO / SD card slot |
| On-board Debugger | EDBG (USB-based SWD) |
| Extension Headers | 2x Xplained Pro 20-pin |
| Operating Supply Voltage | 3.3 V regulated (from USB or 5 V input) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
ATSAME70-XPLD Interfaces & Connectors
ATSAME70-XPLD exposes the following interfaces and connectors as published by the manufacturer: USB, Ethernet, Storage / Boot Media, Power Input. Expansion header pinout, connector pin numbering, and electrical limits are defined in the manufacturer documentation.
| USB | USB Micro-B (High-Speed 480 Mbps) |
| Ethernet | 10/100 Mbps RJ45 (KSZ8051 PHY) |
| Storage / Boot Media | HS SDIO / SD card slot |
| Power Input | 3.3 V regulated (from USB or 5 V input) |
Refer to the manufacturer documentation for the full expansion header pinout and connector pin numbering.
Power & Thermal Characteristics
| Power Input | 3.3 V regulated (from USB or 5 V input) |
Power input and thermal parameters for ATSAME70-XPLD as published by the manufacturer.
Typical Applications
ATSAME70-XPLD is suitable for 6 applications: Cortex-M7 Firmware Bring-Up and Evaluation, Industrial Ethernet Gateway Prototyping, USB Host and Device Stack Development, Audio Processing and DSP Evaluation, Automotive Network and CAN-FD Prototyping, IoT Gateway with Wireless Extension.
Cortex-M7 Firmware Bring-Up and Evaluation
The ATSAME70-XPLD is the standard Microchip platform for evaluating the ATSAME70Q21 Cortex-M7 with FPU at 300 MHz. Engineers port MPLAB Harmony 3 code to the board, leverage the on-board EDBG for SWD debug, and validate FPU performance with double-precision DSP routines. The 2 MB Flash and 384 KB SRAM allow realistic middleware stacks (TCP/IP, USB, FAT-FS) to run unmodified, accelerating proof-of-concept work.
Recommended
Industrial Ethernet Gateway Prototyping
The on-board 10/100 Ethernet PHY with IEEE 1588 support makes the ATSAME70-XPLD ideal for prototyping industrial Ethernet gateways using protocols such as Modbus TCP, EtherCAT slave, or PROFINET. The Cortex-M7 with deterministic TCM enables sub-microsecond response times required by automation stacks. Combined with the SAME70's CAN-FD, the same board covers both industrial fieldbus and machine-to-machine networks.
Recommended
USB Host and Device Stack Development
The HS USB Micro-B port at 480 Mbps allows engineers to develop USB host stacks (mass storage, HID, CDC) and device stacks on the ATSAME70-XPLD without external PHY hardware. The same USB port doubles as the EDBG debug link. The SAME70's integrated USB HS PHY and on-chip transceivers remove the need for external ULPI chips, saving BOM cost in production designs that follow.
Recommended
Audio Processing and DSP Evaluation
The Cortex-M7's SIMD instructions and double-precision FPU let the ATSAME70-XPLD execute audio codecs, FFT-based spectrum analyzers, and active-noise-cancellation algorithms in real time. Engineers use the I2S peripheral (via Xplained Pro headers) to connect audio DACs and ADCs, while the 384 KB SRAM buffers full 48 kHz/24-bit audio streams. MPLAB Harmony 3 provides DSP libraries tuned for SAME70.
Recommended
Automotive Network and CAN-FD Prototyping
The SAME70 silicon includes CAN-FD controllers, making the ATSAME70-XPLD suitable for prototyping automotive body and chassis networks. With automotive-grade variants (ATSAME70Q21B-ANT) available for production migration, engineers can validate CAN-FD stacks and gateway logic on this evaluation kit. The Xplained Pro headers expose the CAN lines for direct transceiver hookup.
Recommended
IoT Gateway with Wireless Extension
By attaching a wireless extension board (Wi-Fi, LoRa, or Bluetooth) to one of the Xplained Pro headers, the ATSAME70-XPLD becomes a Cortex-M7 IoT gateway that bridges a wireless sensor network to Ethernet or USB backhaul. The SAME70's 300 MHz performance handles TLS 1.3 handshakes and lightweight MQTT/HTTP parsing without an external MPU. The kit's 3.3 V main rail powers typical radio daughter boards directly.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAME70-XPLD — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DM320113 | ATSAME70Q21B-CN | ATSAME70Q21A-CFNT | ATSAMS70-XPLD | ATSAMDA1-XPRO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package / Form Factor | Xplained Pro PCB | Xplained Pro PCB - same | LQFP-144 silicon | LQFP-144 silicon | Xplained Pro PCB - same | Xplained Pro PCB - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| On-board MCU | ATSAME70Q21 | ATSAME70Q21 - same | ATSAME70Q21 silicon only | ATSAME70Q21A silicon only | ATSAMS70Q21 | ATSAMDA1J16B |
| Core Processor | Cortex-M7 + FPU | Cortex-M7 + FPU | Cortex-M7 + FPU | Cortex-M7 + FPU | Cortex-M7 + FPU | Cortex-M7 + FPU |
| Max CPU Clock | 300 MHz | 300 MHz | 300 MHz | 300 MHz | 300 MHz | 48/120 MHz |
| On-board Debugger | EDBG (USB SWD) | EDBG | None (bare IC) | None (bare IC) | EDBG | EDBG |
Key Differentiators
- Highest-performance Microchip Xplained Pro kit at 300 MHz (vs ATSAMDA1-XPRO)
- Includes Ethernet with IEEE 1588 hardware timestamping (vs ATSAMS70-XPLD)
- On-board EDBG eliminates need for external debugger (vs ATSAME70Q21B-CN)
Design Notes
The ATSAME70-XPLD derives 3.3 V from the USB 5 V rail or the external 5 V Xplained Pro power header. Peak current during HS USB traffic or Ethernet link training can exceed 250 mA, so a powered USB hub or a 5 V/1 A bench supply is recommended for sustained testing. The on-board LDO has thermal relief pads; ensure airflow if you stack extension boards drawing additional current.
When migrating from ATSAME70-XPLD to a custom PCB using ATSAME70Q21B-CN, mirror the SAME70 reference design's decoupling: 100 nF X7R on every VDD pin, 4.7 uF bulk caps on each VDDIO cluster, and a 1 uF + 100 nF pair on VDDCORE. Place the 12 MHz crystal within 5 mm of the XIN/XOUT pins with a guard ground pour to meet USB HS jitter specs.
Older EDBG firmware images shipped with early ATSAME70-XPLD kits do not support all SAME70 SWD commands and may fail to halt the core during flash erase. Update EDBG via the kit's "Upgrade" mode in MPLAB X before first use. Also note that SAME70 silicon revision B (and later) requires MPLAB X 5.40+ for full peripheral support; legacy Atmel Studio 7 may show missing register fields.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. The on-board ATSAME70Q21 silicon has automotive-grade variants (AEC-Q100) available separately as ATSAME70Q21B-ANT; the evaluation kit itself is not AEC-Q100 qualified because it is a development tool.
