ATSAMR30-XPRO - SAM R30 Xplained Pro Sub-GHz 802.15.4 Eval Kit | Microchip
MPN: ATSAMR30-XPRO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $92.41 | $92.41 |
| 10 | $87.79 | $877.90 |
| 50 | $83.17 | $4,158.50 |
| 100 | $78.55 | $7,855.00 |
| 250 | $73.93 | $18,482.50 |
ATSAMR30-XPRO Overview
Background: A wireless evaluation kit (EVK / Xplained Pro board) is a hardware platform provided by a silicon vendor so engineers can exercise the MCU's peripherals, debug firmware through on-board programmers, and prototype RF links before committing to a custom PCB. The SAM R30 sits in the Microchip/Atmel smart-connected family that blends deterministic Cortex-M0+ control with an integrated radio transceiver, removing the cost and PCB complexity of a separate MCU plus discrete 802.15.4 chip. In the broader taxonomy the kit belongs to: development board -> evaluation kit -> wireless / RF evaluation kit -> sub-GHz 802.15.4 development platform.
Key differentiating features include an integrated PCB antenna with matching network for the ISM sub-GHz bands, an on-board embedded debugger (EDBG) that exposes a USB CDC virtual COM port and Data Gateway Interface (DGI) GPIO, two mechanical Xplained Pro extension headers for mikroBUS-like add-ons, and Atmel Studio / MPLAB X IDE compatibility with predefined application examples such as MiWi and Thread stacks. The board accepts 5 V via the USB micro-B connector and regulates it down for the SoC.
Technical depth: The ATSAMR30G18A SoC integrates a Cortex-M0+ core (Thumb-2 instruction set, hardware single-cycle multiplier), the AT86RF212B-derived sub-GHz radio transceiver, and a Cortex-M0+-class AES engine. The Xplained Pro form factor exposes the 20-pin EXT header carrying power, I/O, and the ID pins used by Atmel Studio to identify connected extension boards automatically.
Typical applications include IEEE 802.15.4 sub-GHz mesh prototypes for smart metering, home and building automation sensor nodes, industrial wireless telemetry, agricultural / environmental monitoring, asset tracking pilots, and rapid MiWi / 6LoWPAN proof-of-concept builds. The kit is supported by Atmel Studio and MPLAB X IDE with sample projects for each stack.
A key design consideration is antenna placement and clearance - the integrated PCB antenna performs best when the board is mounted at the edge of a host chassis with no metal within ~5 cm of the antenna trace. For lab bench testing the on-board antenna is usually adequate; for production range testing an external SMA-mounted antenna is recommended.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, parameter cross-reference, and practical evaluation-board design notes beyond the manufacturer user guide, giving engineers a single reference for selecting, sourcing, and deploying the ATSAMR30-XPRO in early-stage wireless product development.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAMR30-XPRO — 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 ATSAMR30-XPRO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Product Type, Target MCU, Flash Memory, Form Factor, SRAM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAMR21-XPRO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$66 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMHA1G16A-XPRO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$73.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMG55-XPRO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$40.25 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAML21-XPRO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$66.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAML21-XPRO-B
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$101.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAME70Q21B-CFN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$19.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMHA1E16A-XPRO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$79 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMR30-XPRO Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Product Type | Wireless evaluation / development kit |
| Target SoC | ATSAMR30G18A |
| Core Architecture | ARM Cortex-M0+ (32-bit) |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 40 KB |
| Main CPU Clock | 16 MHz |
| Low-Power Crystal | 32.768 kHz |
| Radio Standard | IEEE 802.15.4 |
| Frequency Bands | 780 MHz (China) / 868 MHz (Europe) - sub-GHz ISM |
| Integrated Antenna | PCB trace antenna on-board |
| Debug Interface | Embedded debugger (EDBG) over USB |
| Virtual COM Port | USB CDC (via EDBG) |
| Extension Headers | 2x Xplained Pro EXT (20-pin, 100 mil) |
| USB Connector | USB micro-B (5 V input) |
| Supported IDEs | Atmel Studio, MPLAB X IDE |
| Supported Stacks | MiWi, 6LoWPAN, Thread (via Atmel Studio examples) |
| Operating System Support | Win XP / Vista / Win 7 / 8 / 10 / Server 2012 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
ATSAMR30-XPRO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | ID — Xplained Pro ID signal for extension board identification |
| Pin 2 | GND — Common ground |
| Pin 3 | ADC+ — Analog-to-digital input (positive) |
| Pin 4 | ADC- — Analog-to-digital input (negative / reference) |
| Pin 5 | GPIO1 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 6 | GPIO2 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 7 | PWM+ — PWM output (positive) |
| Pin 8 | PWM- — PWM output (negative) |
| Pin 9 | IRQ — Interrupt request line |
| Pin 10 | I2C_SDA — I2C data (3.3 V) |
| Pin 11 | I2C_SCL — I2C clock (3.3 V) |
| Pin 12 | SPI_MOSI — SPI master-out / slave-in |
| Pin 13 | SPI_MISO — SPI master-in / slave-out |
| Pin 14 | SPI_SCK — SPI clock |
| Pin 15 | SPI_CS — SPI chip select |
| Pin 16 | UART_RX — UART receive (debug virtual COM) |
| Pin 17 | UART_TX — UART transmit (debug virtual COM) |
| Pin 18 | VCC_3V3 — 3.3 V supply output to extension |
| Pin 19 | VCC_5V — 5 V supply output to extension |
| Pin 20 | RESET — Extension reset line (active low) |
Typical Applications
ATSAMR30-XPRO is suitable for 6 applications: IEEE 802.15.4 Sub-GHz Mesh Prototype, Smart Metering and Utility Monitoring, Home and Building Automation Sensor Nodes, Industrial Wireless Telemetry, Agricultural and Environmental Monitoring, Asset Tracking and Logistics Pilots.
IEEE 802.15.4 Sub-GHz Mesh Prototype
The ATSAMR30-XPRO is purpose-built for 802.15.4 sub-GHz mesh prototypes because the ATSAMR30G18A SoC integrates the radio, baseband, and MCU on a single die, eliminating the latency and BOM cost of an external transceiver. Operating on 780 MHz (China) and 868 MHz (Europe) ISM bands, the kit typically delivers 2-3x the range of equivalent 2.4 GHz platforms at the same TX power, which is critical for building-wide and outdoor mesh deployments. Engineers can evaluate MiWi, 6LoWPAN, and Thread stacks with sample projects that ship in Atmel Studio, shortening proof-of-concept cycles.
Recommended
Smart Metering and Utility Monitoring
The ATSAMR30-XPRO fits smart metering pilots because its sub-GHz 868 MHz radio penetrates concrete utility rooms and metal meter cabinets far better than 2.4 GHz alternatives, while the Cortex-M0+ core keeps active current low enough for battery-assisted meter designs. The 256 KB Flash and 40 KB SRAM are sufficient for AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) link-layer stacks, AES-128 security blocks, and local data buffering. The on-board EDBG eliminates the need for an external JTAG probe during field firmware updates.
Recommended
Home and Building Automation Sensor Nodes
The ATSAMR30-XPRO suits home and building automation nodes that require long battery life and reliable wireless links through walls and floors. The ATSAMR30G18A SoC's deep-sleep current and the 32.768 kHz RTC crystal allow event-driven sensor reporting on a coin cell for months, while the 802.15.4 sub-GHz link maintains connectivity across typical residential floor plans. The two 20-pin Xplained Pro EXT headers accept off-the-shelf sensor click boards for temperature, humidity, and PIR motion, accelerating prototype assembly.
Recommended
Industrial Wireless Telemetry
The ATSAMR30-XPRO works well for industrial wireless telemetry such as tank-level sensing, vibration monitoring, and predictive-maintenance nodes where 2.4 GHz bands are congested. Sub-GHz propagation around metal machinery is more predictable, and the 256 KB Flash supports local edge processing plus stack security. The kit's 5 V USB power input simplifies bench bring-up, while the same board can be reworked for 3.3 V Li-ion battery operation once the design is finalized.
Recommended
Agricultural and Environmental Monitoring
The ATSAMR30-XPRO supports agricultural and environmental monitoring deployments where long range and low power are mandatory. The 868 MHz band (Europe) or 780 MHz band (China) propagates across large fields and greenhouses, and the integrated PCB antenna removes the cost and weatherproofing concerns of an external SMA antenna. Sample MiWi and 6LoWPAN projects in Atmel Studio give a starting point for soil-moisture, weather-station, and livestock-tracking networks with thousands of nodes.
Recommended
Asset Tracking and Logistics Pilots
The ATSAMR30-XPRO enables asset tracking pilots for warehouses, ports, and logistics hubs where sub-GHz propagation through racking and shipping containers is essential. The integrated AES engine on the ATSAMR30G18A secures over-the-air telemetry, and the 40 KB SRAM is enough to buffer GPS-assisted location updates between mesh hops. Combined with MiWi or 6LoWPAN stacks, the kit supports up to several hundred tagged assets per gateway in a typical warehouse deployment.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAMR30-XPRO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAMR21-XPRO | ATSAMHA1G16A-XPRO | ATSAMG55-XPRO | ATSAML21-XPRO | ATSAME70Q21B-CFN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package / Form Factor | Xplained Pro (2x 20-pin EXT header, 100 mil) | Xplained Pro (2x 20-pin EXT header) - same | Xplained Pro (2x 20-pin EXT header) - same | Xplained Pro (2x 20-pin EXT header) - same | Xplained Pro (2x 20-pin EXT header) - same | Xplained Pro (2x 20-pin EXT header) - same |
| Target SoC / MCU | ATSAMR30G18A (Cortex-M0+ + sub-GHz radio) | ATSAMR21G18A (Cortex-M0+ + 2.4 GHz radio) | SAMS70 / SAM HA1G16A (Cortex-M0+, no radio) | SAMG55J19B (Cortex-M4, no radio) | SAML21J18B (Cortex-M0+, no radio) | SAME70Q21B (Cortex-M7, no radio) |
| Integrated Radio | Yes - sub-GHz IEEE 802.15.4 (780/868 MHz) | Yes - 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4 | No | No | No | No |
| Antenna | On-board PCB antenna (sub-GHz) | On-board PCB antenna (2.4 GHz) | None (no radio) | None (no radio) | None (no radio) | None (no radio) |
| Embedded Debugger | Yes (EDBG, USB CDC virtual COM) | Yes (EDBG) | Yes (EDBG) | Yes (EDBG) | Yes (EDBG) | Yes (EDBG) |
| Supported IDE | Atmel Studio, MPLAB X IDE | Atmel Studio, MPLAB X IDE | Atmel Studio, MPLAB X IDE | Atmel Studio, MPLAB X IDE | Atmel Studio, MPLAB X IDE | MPLAB X IDE, Atmel Studio |
Key Differentiators
- Only Xplained Pro kit with integrated sub-GHz IEEE 802.15.4 radio (vs ATSAMR21-XPRO)
- Sub-GHz radio integrated into the SoC, not a separate module (vs ATSAMHA1G16A-XPRO)
- On-board PCB antenna tuned for ISM sub-GHz bands (vs ATSAMG55-XPRO)
- Cortex-M0+ class efficiency vs Cortex-M4 / Cortex-M7 Xplained Pro kits (vs ATSAME70Q21B-CFN)
Design Notes
Antenna clearance is the single most important PCB-layout rule for the ATSAMR30-XPRO. The integrated PCB antenna is tuned for free-space operation with no metal, plastic, or hand contact within roughly 5 cm of the antenna trace. Mount the board at the edge of a host chassis during range testing; placing it on a metal desk or in a plastic enclosure with carbon-loading can reduce link budget by 10 dB or more. For repeatable lab results use a fixed non-conductive mount at least 10 cm above any metal surface.
The kit accepts 5 V from the USB micro-B connector; the on-board regulator derives 3.3 V for the ATSAMR30G18A SoC. For battery-powered evaluation, remove the USB link and feed 3.3 V directly to the 3V3 pin on the EXT header; do not back-feed 5 V through the EXT header because the on-board LDO cannot source it. Average current in deep sleep with the RTC running is in the low microamp range, but transmitting at +10 dBm on 868 MHz pulls roughly 25-30 mA - budget coin-cell capacity accordingly.
Do not connect the kit to a 2.4 GHz antenna or 50 ohm SMA matching network intended for 2.4 GHz boards such as the ATSAMR21-XPRO. The sub-GHz AT86RF212B-derived front-end is matched for 780/868 MHz and will not resonate at 2.4 GHz. If you need a removable antenna for range testing, choose an SMA variant of the SAM R30 Module Xplained Pro (DS50002827A) instead of retrofitting an SMA connector to this kit.
Continuous TX at +10 dBm on 868 MHz dissipates roughly 100 mW in the PA section. Estimated: at 25 C ambient and no airflow, the ATSAMR30G18A QFN package rises only a few degrees above ambient because the SoC is designed for low-power duty-cycled operation, not continuous TX. If your application calls for high-duty-cycle beacons, add copper pour under the exposed pad and verify junction temperature with a thermal probe.
Compliance Information
RoHS-compliant development kit per Microchip product page. Not subject to AEC-Q100 qualification - this is an evaluation board, not a production automotive component.