04-03-2025 | Microchip Technology | Semiconductors
Embedded developers must handle the challenge of designing systems that balance compactness, energy efficiency and high performance. As applications grow more sophisticated with demands for advanced graphics and connectivity, delivering multiple solutions ranging from SoCs to SiPs and SOMs simplifies and accelerates development timelines. Microchip Technology has announced its portfolio of SAMA7D65 MPUs based on the Arm Cortex-A7 core running up to 1GHz and offered in a SiP with a 2 Gb DDR3L and SoC. The SAMA7D65 MPU series is designed to target HMI and connectivity applications with its advanced graphic features.
The graphic features of the MPUs include LVDS, MIPI DSI interfaces and 2D GPU. These high-performance features allow the transmission and processing of more data for efficient graphic performance, making it an optimal solution for HMI applications in industrial, medical and transportation markets.
Furnished with advanced audio and connectivity features, the MPUs include dual Gigabit Ethernet with TSN support, allowing precise synchronisation and low-latency communication critical for real-time systems. These features target industrial and building automation HMI applications, where seamless data exchange and deterministic networking are crucial for responsive and reliable user interfaces.
The SAMA7D65D2G SiP features 2Gb DDR3L memory for high-speed synchronous dynamic random-access operations, while its low-voltage design decreases power consumption and improves energy efficiency. SiPs are designed to accelerate the design process and time to market by pre-solving high-speed memory interface design considerations and simplifying memory supply.
"Raising the bar for HMI applications, the SAMA7D65 series combines advanced graphics capabilities, low latency and connectivity with optimised power consumption for an energy-efficient design," said Rod Drake, corporate vice president of Microchip's high-performance MCU and MPU business units. "Its integrated DDR3L SiP variant, the SAMA7D65D2G, streamlines R&D efforts and minimises logistical supply challenges, providing our customers with a seamless and efficient pathway from design to production."
The SAMA7D65 series targets applications with interactive touchscreen displays and complements the company's existing SAMA7G54 1GHz Arm Cortex-A7 based MPU. Embedded developers using its MPUs can take advantage of Microchip Graphics Suite, a platform for building sophisticated GUIs and other graphics applications within MPLAB Harmony v3 and Linux software platforms. This comprehensive solution for designing GUI interfaces and other graphics applications helps designers enhance reusability across projects and simplifies design complexities.
The company's portfolio of 32 and 64-bit Arm and RISC-V-based MPUs offers powerful, flexible solutions for applications ranging from consumer products to space missions. In addition to its single and multi-core SOM and SiP MPUs, it offers other essential components for these applications, including connectivity, security, power management, timing and memory.
The SAMA7D65 MPUs are supported by Microchip Graphics Suite (MGS) and other third-party graphics tools. These MPUs are supported in MPLAB Harmony v3 for customers developing RTOS or bare-metal systems. Linux support is provided in the company's mainline Linux distribution. Also, to evaluate the SAMA7D65 series, the SAMA7D65 Curiosity Development Board is available.
