ATSAMR21-XPRO - ATSAMR21G18A 802.15.4 2.4GHz Eval Kit | Microchip
MPN: ATSAMR21-XPRO β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $82.7 | $82.70 |
| 10 | $78.5 | $785.00 |
| 50 | $74.2 | $3,710.00 |
| 100 | $70.1 | $7,010.00 |
| 250 | $66 | $16,500.00 |
ATSAMR21-XPRO Overview
What is an 802.15.4 evaluation board? An 802.15.4 evaluation board is a development platform that integrates a microcontroller and a sub-GHz or 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4 radio on a single PCB, supported by a vendor IDE and stack, so engineers can prototype mesh-networking, point-to-point, and beacon-enabled protocols such as Zigbee, 6LoWPAN, Thread, WirelessHART, and proprietary point-to-point links. The ATSAMR21-XPRO sits in the platform hierarchy evaluation board -> 802.15.4 development kit -> wireless MCU ecosystem -> embedded hardware platform.
Key features include the integrated ATSAMR21G18A wireless MCU, an on-board debugger compatible with Atmel Studio / Microchip Studio 6.x or later, an integrated 2.4 GHz ceramic-chip antenna, an external ATZB-RF-233PA extension header for power-amplifier add-on boards (the ATZB-SAMR21-XPRO variant), and full software-stack support for the Atmel BitCloud Zigbee PRO profile and the IEEE 802.15.4 MAC. The board is also pre-flashed with a Bootloader image, so new firmware can be loaded over USB without an external programmer.
Technically, the ATSAMR21G18A device inside the kit pairs a Cortex-M0+ core running up to 48 MHz with a 2.4 GHz O-QPSK PHY and a hardware MAC layer. It is supported by the ASF (Atmel Software Framework) and Microchip Studio, and the on-board EDBG controller provides drag-and-drop programming, a virtual COM port, and Data Gateway Interface (DGI) GPIO/streaming for live debugging.
Typical applications include Zigbee mesh nodes (light, lock, thermostat, sensor), 6LoWPAN and RPL-based IPv6 sensor networks, Thread border-router prototyping, custom 2.4 GHz proprietary point-to-point links, and low-power IoT sensor endpoints where an ARM Cortex-M0+ + certified radio shortens FCC/CE certification.
When ordering, note that the ATSAMR21-XPRO is the base platform, while the ATZB-SAMR21-XPRO variant includes the extension board for the AT86RF233 PA output. Choose the base kit for software/firmware bring-up and the ATZB-SAMR21-XPRO variant when link-budget extension beyond 103 dBm is required.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternate platforms, and practical design notes not found in the standalone ATSAMR21-XPRO user guide.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAMR21-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 ATSAMR21-XPRO (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Product Type, Core Architecture, Debug Interface, Form Factor, Host Interface.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATZB-SAMR21-XPRO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAMR21B18-MZ
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAMD21-XPRO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$36.25 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAMR21-XPRO Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Product Type | Evaluation Kit / Development Board |
| On-board MCU | ATSAMR21G18A |
| Core Architecture | ARM Cortex-M0+ 32-bit |
| Operating Frequency | Up to 48 MHz |
| Program Memory | 256 KB Flash |
| RAM | 32 KB SRAM |
| RF Frequency Band | 2.4 GHz ISM |
| RF Standard | IEEE 802.15.4 / Zigbee / 6LoWPAN |
| Modulation | O-QPSK (per IEEE 802.15.4 PHY) |
| RF Link Budget | 103 dB |
| MCU Package | 64-pin QFN |
| On-board Antenna | Integrated 2.4 GHz ceramic chip antenna |
| Debug Interface | On-board EDBG (USB to SWD + VCOM + DGI) |
| Host Interface | USB Micro-B |
| Form Factor | Xplained Pro (compatible with Xplained Pro extensions) |
| Supported Software | Atmel Studio, Microchip Studio, ASF, BitCloud Zigbee PRO, IEEE 802.15.4 MAC |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
ATSAMR21-XPRO Interfaces & Connectors
No manufacturer-published interface list is available for ATSAMR21-XPRO. 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
ATSAMR21-XPRO is suitable for 7 applications: Zigbee Mesh Sensor Node, 6LoWPAN / RPL IPv6 Sensor Network, Thread Border-Router Prototyping, Proprietary 2.4 GHz Point-to-Point Link, Battery-Powered IoT Edge Sensor, Home Automation / Lighting Mesh, Industrial Wireless Sensor Monitoring.
Zigbee Mesh Sensor Node
The ATSAMR21-XPRO builds a Zigbee mesh sensor node with on-board 802.15.4 radio and 256 KB flash supporting the BitCloud Zigbee PRO stack. The 103 dB link budget extends mesh coverage, while 50% lower active current than competing 2.4 GHz radios enables battery-powered endpoints. Place the kit plus a temperature/humidity click board onto the Xplained Pro headers; it then functions as a Zigbee router/endpoint that can be moved directly onto a custom ATSAMR21G18A PCB in production.
Recommended
6LoWPAN / RPL IPv6 Sensor Network
The ATSAMR21-XPRO's 256 KB flash and 32 KB SRAM are well suited to a Contiki or RIOT 6LoWPAN/RPL IPv6 image, making the kit a node reference for an IEEE 802.15.4 IPv6 sensor network. The on-board EDBG debugger plus USB virtual COM stream RTS-style packet capture directly on the same USB cable. Active current is roughly half that of comparable 2.4 GHz solutions, so a battery or energy-harvesting node can be powered for months on small cells.
Recommended
Thread Border-Router Prototyping
For Thread border-router prototyping, the ATSAMR21-XPRO is ideal as the radio-MCU end node - it is the same silicon (ATSAMR21G18A, 802.15.4 + Cortex-M0+) the Thread stack targets. Pair the kit with an OpenThread-enabled neighbour (an ATSAMW25-based Wi-Fi/Ethernet gateway running wpantund) to evaluate commissioning and routing behaviour. The kit's integrated antenna simplifies desk-test setups, and the same chip is used by JIPDA-certified Thread nodes.
Recommended
Proprietary 2.4 GHz Point-to-Point Link
The ATSAMR21-XPRO's 2.4 GHz O-QPSK radio can also be used with a custom MAC layer for proprietary point-to-point links when full Zigbee/Thread is over-featured and you need simple 250 kbps streams. The kit exposes the radio's TX power control and clear-channel-assessment via the same Cortex-M0+ GPIO, and the link-budget figure of 103 dB carries over to custom MAC designs as well. The on-board PCB antenna gives a stable reference pattern for range-testing against an external PA on the ATZB-SAMR21-XPRO variant.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Edge Sensor
Thanks to the ATSAMR21G18A's 50% lower active current, the ATSAMR21-XPRO can act as a battery-powered IoT edge sensor reference that aggregates ADC channels and periodically transmits 802.15.4 frames. The kit's on-board debugger doubles as a programmer, while the 32 KB SRAM leaves room for lightweight TLS-like security layers or custom edge processing. Once the firmware is validated, the same chip can be placed on a coin-cell-powered PCB.
Recommended
Home Automation / Lighting Mesh
The ATSAMR21-XPRO fits Home-Automation / Lighting Mesh use cases because its 802.15.4 radio supports both Zigbee and 6LoWPAN mesh layers commonly used in smart-lighting bulbs and wireless wall switches. The Xplained Pro form factor means you can swap to a MikroElektronika relay click or driver click to actuate mains-side hardware during lab testing. Once verified, the ATSAMR21G18A production device with the same silicon migrates directly into a wall-switch PCB.
Recommended
Industrial Wireless Sensor Monitoring
For industrial wireless-sensor monitoring, the ATSAMR21-XPRO is a bench platform that can host -40C to +85C validated 802.15.4 sensor firmware. Its 103 dB link budget and lower active current make it suitable for plant-floor nodes that must survive on coin-cell or battery power for years. Place the kit onto the same 24V industrial rail as a downstream analog front-end during pilot deployment, then migrate to the bare ATSAMR21G18A for the actual field-tied PCB.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAMR21-XPRO β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATZB-SAMR21-XPRO | ATSAMR21B18-MZ | ATSAMD21-XPRO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package / Form Factor | Xplained Pro evaluation kit | Xplained Pro evaluation kit (same) | Production module (Xplained Pro pin-compatible) | Xplained Pro evaluation kit (same form factor) |
| On-board MCU | ATSAMR21G18A | ATSAMR21G18A + AT86RF233 PA | ATSAMR21G18A (module) | ATSAMD21J18A |
| Wireless Protocol | IEEE 802.15.4 / 2.4 GHz | ZigBee 3.0 / 802.15.4 / 2.4 GHz + PA | IEEE 802.15.4 / 2.4 GHz | None (no radio) |
| MCU Core | ARM Cortex-M0+ | ARM Cortex-M0+ | ARM Cortex-M0+ | ARM Cortex-M0+ |
| Flash / SRAM | 256 KB / 32 KB | 256 KB / 32 KB | 256 KB / 32 KB | 256 KB / 32 KB |
| RF Link Budget | 103 dB | 103 dB+ with PA extension | 103 dB | N/A (no radio) |
| Debug Interface | On-board EDBG (USB SWD+VCOM) | On-board EDBG (same) | External (no on-board debugger) | On-board EDBG (same) |
Key Differentiators
- Single-chip 802.15.4 + Cortex-M0+ on the same die (vs ATSAMD21-XPRO)
- On-board EDBG debugger + USB virtual COM + drag-and-drop programming (vs ATSAMR21B18-MZ)
- Lower active-current draw than competing 2.4 GHz solutions (vs ATRF231USB-RD / AT86RF231)
Design Notes
The ATSAMR21-XPRO is an evaluation kit, not a chip - when scaling to production, drop the ATSAMR21G18A directly onto your own PCB. Most "the kit doesn't talk to my board" reports stem from developers forgetting that the integrated 2.4 GHz antenna is tuned for the kit's specific PCB stack-up and will not transfer 1:1 to a custom board; always re-characterize antenna match and run a new FCC/CE compliance pass on the custom PCB. Per the verified Microchip page, the silicon itself ships in a 64-pin QFN, so pin-mapping to a 4-layer 1.6 mm PCB requires a fresh network analyzer trace, not a copy of the kit's BOM.
When migrating to a custom PCB, keep the 2.4 GHz antenna area clear of copper, place ground via stitching on the RF keep-out perimeter, and provide a "pi" or T-network matching network near the RFIO pin to compensate for board-to-board variation. Routing the 16 MHz crystal close to the ATSAMR21G18A with short symmetric traces is critical - the kit's own layout shows the exact recommended DNP guard ring around the crystal. Estimated: with these guidelines, link-budget drops of no more than 1-2 dB versus the kit's 103 dB reference should be expected on a well-laid-out 4-layer PCB.
Power the kit from its USB Micro-B connector during firmware bring-up; the on-board debugger's 3.3 V regulator can supply the entire evaluation board. Avoid back-driving the kit's VCC headers from an external lab supply during firmware boot - the EDBG may enumerate and pull the rails back to 3.3 V, causing supply-rail contention. Estimated: the kit draws approximately 70-100 mA at full radio-active load through USB, so a powered hub is recommended if the firmware includes long radio-active periods.
The ATSAMR21-XPRO is a development kit with low duty-cycle RF transmission - thermal dissipation is generally not a concern even at 0 dBm output. However, when using the ATZB-SAMR21-XPRO variant with the PA extension board, the additional amplifier can add 1-2 W heat at maximum output and should not be enclosed without forced-air flow. Estimated: in open-air lab bench conditions, the PA add-on settles at 45-50 C case temperature at sustained full transmission.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free status derived from Microchip product page; REACH, AEC-Q100, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals certifications are not explicitly listed in the verified data so they are reported as unknown. Evaluation kits are not AEC-Q100 qualified since they are development tools, not automotive ICs.
