A new Feather board has been unveiled this week by Alorium Technology. The full name of the board is the Alorium Evo M51, and it is an FPGA-enhanced embedded module featuring the Microchip SAMD51 32-bit Arm Cortex-M4 microcontroller alongside an Intel MAX 10 FPGA. This combination of components makes the Evo M51 a powerful and versatile tool for developers and hobbyists alike.
Key Features and Benefits
The SAMD51 microcontroller is a standout feature of this Feather board. It boasts a fast 120MHz Cortex M4 processor, which is known for its high performance and efficiency. The SAMD51 is equipped with a plethora of peripherals, including I2C, SPI, UART, ADCs, DACs, and numerous DMA channels. These features make it an excellent choice for a wide range of applications, from simple sensor interfacing to complex data processing tasks.
Alorium Technology has managed to integrate the SAMD51 into a compact BGA package, which leaves additional space on the board. This extra space is utilized to incorporate the Altera/Intel MAX 10 FPGA. The FPGA can be programmed through the SAMD51 using a command line downloader, providing users with a flexible and powerful platform for custom logic designs.
“This Feather has a SAMD51 as a main microcontroller processor – we like this chip because it has a fast 120MHz Cortex M4 processor with lots of peripherals like I2C, SPI, UART, ADCs, DACs, lots of DMA, etc. Our Feather M4 features this chip, and it’s one of our most popular Feathers. Alorium squished it down to a BGA package and used the left over space to wire up an Altera/Intel MAX 10 FPGA that can be programmed through the SAMD51 using a command line downloader.”
Detailed Specifications
The Alorium Evo M51 Feather board comes with an impressive set of specifications that cater to a wide range of development needs:
Specifications of the Alorium Evo M51 Feather board :
- Intel MAX 10 FPGA
- Microchip SAMD51 32-bit Arm Cortex-M4 microcontroller
- 512 KB Flash / 192 KB RAM
- 2 MB external Flash
- 55 digital I/Os
- 21 through-hole/castellated
- 34 additional castellated-only
- Six analog inputs
- Two analog outputs
- STEMMA QT (QWIIC Compatible)
- Feather footprint
- 0.9 inches x 2.2 inches
- Programmable with Arduino
- Designed for CircuitPython
The inclusion of 512 KB Flash and 192 KB RAM ensures that the board can handle complex applications and data processing tasks. Additionally, the 2 MB external Flash provides ample storage for larger programs and data sets.
The board features 55 digital I/Os, with 21 through-hole/castellated and 34 additional castellated-only pins. This extensive I/O capability allows for the connection of numerous sensors, actuators, and other peripherals, making it ideal for projects that require multiple inputs and outputs.
The six analog inputs and two analog outputs further enhance the board’s versatility, enabling it to interface with a wide range of analog sensors and devices. The STEMMA QT (QWIIC Compatible) connector simplifies the process of connecting I2C devices, making it easier for users to expand their projects with additional modules.
The Feather footprint ensures compatibility with a wide range of Feather accessories and shields, providing users with a flexible and expandable platform for their projects. The board’s compact size, measuring just 0.9 inches by 2.2 inches, makes it suitable for space-constrained applications.
The Alorium Evo M51 Feather board is programmable with Arduino, making it accessible to a broad audience of developers and hobbyists. Additionally, it is designed for use with CircuitPython, providing an easy-to-use and versatile programming environment.
The Alorium Evo M51 Feather board is a powerful and versatile tool that combines the high-performance SAMD51 microcontroller with the flexibility of the Intel MAX 10 FPGA. Its extensive set of features and compatibility with popular development platforms make it an excellent choice for a wide range of applications.
Source: Adafruit
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