Make magazine announces the MAKE Microcontroller Kit for $149. Even though they call it a kit, this powerful ARM7 microcontroller development board comes fully assembled. Embedded development software is also included for Windows, Mac, or Linux.

The board has just about everything you could want to play and learn about microcontrollers. It is based on the new Atmel AT91SAM7X256 uC which packs 256K Flash, 64K SRAM, JTAG, Ethernet, CAN, USB, 3 UART, 10 A/D, 4 PWM, 2 SPI, Watch Dog Timer, POR, Brownout protections and more on a single chip.

The package contains two boards, one is the base board which includes connectors and protection circuits. The other is a removable module with the microcontroller. The idea is that you can developed your own hardware to accept this module saving yourself the headaches of soldering a 100-pin surface mount IC. The hardware is open source which means the schematics and design information will be freely available.

Make plans to publish how-to or tutorial projects for hobbyist that want to learn about microcontrollers. Since the tools are open source you only need to purchase the development board. Embedded software development is easier with the supplied library and example code which uses freeRTOS for much of the low level work.

Features

• Fully assembled, Ready to use
• Development software included.
  Windows, Mac, or Linux
• New Atmel AT91SAM7X256
  256K Flash, 64K SRAM, JTAG, Ethernet, CAN, USB, 3 UART, 10 A/D, 4 PWM, 2 SPI, Watch Dog Timer, POR and Brownout.
• Open Source Hardware.
  Schematics included
• Powerful ARM7 microcontroller
  32 Bit, FAST! 55MHz, 49.5 MIPS!
• Easy to use with freeRTOS providing a simplified API
• Versatile I/O included
  Ethernet, USB, Serial, CAN, 8 A/D, 8 1-Amp outputs, 4 PWM Servo, 4 LEDs, 8 Dip Switches, Pushbutton, and a trim pot.
• Removable processor module.
  You can use it in your own hardware design. No surface mount work required.

Ordering Page

For alpha documentation click here.

Click here for a list of the interesting parts with links to datasheets.

Interfaces, Connectors, and Part Information

• Atmel AT91SAM7X256
  Flash microcontrollers based on the 32-bit ARM RISC processor. It features a 256 Kbyte high-speed Flash and a 64 Kbyte SRAM, and a large set of built in peripherals. The device is an ideal migration path for 8-bit microcontroller users looking for additional performance, extended memory and network connectivity.
  Summary Data Sheet | Full Data Sheet | Application Notes
• Microcontroller Board
  The ARM7 microcontroller is on a separate module that you can remove. When you make your own hardware design this module can plug in saving you from the pains of surface mount work.
• Ethernet
  Using the built in Ethernet interface you can do projects that communicate with your PC and the Internet. How about a project to control your water sprinkler system via the Internet?
• USB
  Using the USB interface projects can connect to a PC or laptop. Especially important considering that RS232 ports are hard to find on laptops these days. How about a custom joysticks or mouse?
• CAN
  CAN is a high speed serial network interface. Your automobile probably has several CAN buses with data about the engine and other systems. It’s like a simple Ethernet for microcontrollers.
• Serial/UART/RS232
  Serial is the simplest way for devices to talk with each other. You can interface a GPS receiver or a simple LCD display to your projects with serial. Talk to your project with a simple terminal program or have it use a MODEM to dial the internet from a remote location.
• SPI
  SPI stands for Serial Peripheral Interface. It provides a high speed communications bus for talking to hardware peripherals such as memory devices, an SD Card for example. There are many I/O devices available with SPI interfaces, A/D converter, temperature sensors, EPROM, the list goes on and on.
• A/D
  A/D stands for Analog to Digital Converter. This is how a microcontroller reads the real world. If you wanted to store sound you might connect a microphone to the A/D input to convert the analog sound to digital values to store in memory. You could play them back though a Digital to Analog Converter or maybe send the data over the internet to listen at your PC.
• PWM Servo
  PWM stands for Pulse Width Modulation. These outputs (4) can control RC Servos to make robots that move. It’s easy to get a servo and control it from your software using this interface.
• 1-Amp outputs
  These outputs can drive DC motors, solenoids or relays. How about a project to control your yard sprinkler system. Connect the outputs to the water valve modules (solenoids).
• Watchdog Timer
  A watchdog time makes sure you software is behaving. If your code crashes or gets stuck somewhere the watchdog time will reset the system. This is very important in applications where you must control systems at all times.
• POR/Brownout
  Microcontrollers don’t like to have there power interrupted. They need special care dealing with power up and conditions where the power might dip for some reason. POR stands for Power on Reset. The processor has a built in system for making sure it gets started correctly. The reset system also watches the power supply and will reset the program if a dip occurs. These protection systems are critical for reliable operation.
• JTAG
  The JTAG interface provides an easy way to software development with source level debugging and break points. The kit does not come with a JTAG interface system but you can purchase one online. You don’t have to have a JTAG system to do software development, its just a lot easier to do with one. If you go into production with a project, you can also use JTAG to test the hardware and load your firmware on the production floor.
• Pushbutton
  The pushbutton is like a single keyboard key. You can use this button to communicate with your software. Maybe you can activate your robot “Get me a beer” command with this button.
• Status LEDs
  LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. The board has 4 LEDs you can turn on and off from your programs. These lights are under your control. Your first project should be to make them flash.
• Potentiometer
  This is a variable resistor. It’s basically like the volume knob on a stereo. You can use this to control functions in your program. A simple example might be to control the flash rate or brightness of your LEDs. A potentiometer is usually referred to as a POT. Connect this one to an A/D input to convert the analog voltage output to a digital signal that goes up and down in value as you turn the pot.
• Dip Switches
  The board has 8 dip switches you can use to select options in your programs. These switches set or clear a bit in an I/O register that your software can read. With 8 switches you can selected between 256 different program modes.
• Power Input
  This is where you connect power to run your microcontroller stand alone.

Ordering Page