Description

The SAMA5D2 is a high-performance, ultra-low-power Arm Cortex-A5 CPU-based embedded microprocessor (MPU) running up to 500 MHz, with support for multiple memories such as DDR2, DDR3, DDR3L, LPDDR1, LPDDR2, LPDDR3, QSPI and e.MMC Flash, and SLC/MLC parallel NAND Flash memory up to 32-bit ECC. It integrates the Arm NEON SIMD engine for accelerated multimedia and signal processing, a configurable 128-Kbyte L2 cache and a floating point unit (FPU) for high-precision computing. The device features an advanced user interface and connectivity peripherals. Advanced security is provided by powerful cryptographic accelerators, by the Arm TrustZone® technology securing access to memories and sensitive peripherals, and by several hardware features that safeguard memory content, authenticate software, detect physical attacks and prevent information leakage during code execution.

The SAMA5D2 features an internal multilayer bus architecture associated with 2 x 16 DMA channels and dedicated DMAs for the communication and interface peripherals required to ensure uninterrupted data transfers with minimal processor overhead.

The comprehensive peripheral set includes an LCD TFT controller with overlays for hardware-accelerated image composition, an image sensor controller, audio support through I²S, SSC, a stereo Class D amplifier and a digital microphone. Connectivity peripherals include a 10/100 EMAC, USBs, CANs, FLEXCOMs, UARTs, SPIs and two QSPIs, SDIO/SD/e.MMCs, and TWIs/I²C.

Protection of code and data is provided by automatic scrambling of memories and an Integrity Check Monitor (ICM) to detect any modification of the memory contents. The SAMA5D2 also supports execution of encrypted code (QSPI or one portion of the DDR) with an “on-the-fly” encryption-decryption process.

With its secure design architecture, cryptographic acceleration engines, and secure bootloader, the SAMA5D2 is the ideal solution for point-of-sale (POS), IoT and industrial applications requiring device authentication, anti-cloning, data protection and secure communication.

The SAMA5D2 features three software-selectable low-power modes: Idle, Ultra-Low-Power (ULP) and Backup.

In Idle mode, the processor is stopped while all other functions can be kept running.

In ULP0 mode, the processor is stopped while all other functions are clocked at 512 Hz and interrupts or peripherals can be configured to wake up the system based on events, including partial asynchronous wake-up.

In ULP1 mode, all clocks and functions are stopped but some peripherals can be configured to wake up the system based on events, including partial asynchronous wake-up.

In Backup mode, RTC and wake-up logic are active. The Backup mode can be extended to feature DDR in Self-refresh mode.

The SAMA5D2 also includes an Event System that allows peripherals to receive, react to and send events in Active and Idle modes without processor intervention.

The SAMA5D2 is delivered with a free Linux® distribution and bare metal C examples.