The 32-bit SAMD21RT MCU, including FPGAs, power and discrete devices, memory products, communication interfaces, and oscillators, Microchip provides a comprehensive system solution for space applications.
Microchip Technology announces the SAMD21RT, a radiation-tolerant (RT) Arm® Cortex®-M0+ based 32-bit microcontroller (MCU) in a 64-pin ceramic and plastic package with 128 KB Flash and 16 KB SRAM.
With exciting new missions like the much awaited Artemis II mission, recent successful lunar landing missions like JAXA SLIM and Chandaaryan-3, and New Space installations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), space research is undergoing a renaissance.
Electronic components must adhere to strict radiation and reliability criteria in order for designers to use them in the hostile circumstances present in space.
Having been developed for applications with limited space where weight and size are crucial factors, the 32-bit SAMD21RT MCU:
- Has a compact 10 mm x 10 mm footprint.
- The 32-bit SAMD21RT provides high-performance processing for demanding settings at up to 48 MHz.
- The device combines analog functionalities such as analog comparators, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with up to 20 channels.
The extensively used SAMD21 MCUs family from Microchip, which is utilized in the automotive and industrial applications, is expanded upon by the SAMD21RT device.
Additionally, because it is based on Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) devices, the design process is considerably simplified when switching to a radiation-tolerant device because pinout compatibility is maintained.
With a wide range of devices that can be designed around the 32-bit SAMD21RT MCU, including FPGAs, power and discrete devices, memory products, communication interfaces, and oscillators, Microchip provides a comprehensive system solution for space applications. These options span qualification levels.
With a Total Ionizing Dose (TID) capability of up to 50 krad and Single Event Latch-up (SEL) immunity of up to 78 MeV.cm²/mg, the 32-bit SAMD21RT MCU offers:
- A high level of radiation tolerance to withstand harsh environments.
- Including radiation and extreme temperatures.
- It can operate in temperatures ranging from ?40°C to 125°C.
“The advantage of working with Microchip is that we have the history, knowledge and capability to do the design and testing in house for our radiation-tolerant and radiation-hardened devices,” said Bob Vampola, vice president of Microchip’s aerospace and defense business unit. “We continue to bring newer technologies like Ethernet, AI and ML, which have evolved in the commercial and industrial markets, and improve them with radiation performance to meet the needs of space missions. We also continue to provide higher computing performance and integration of newer technologies into smaller packages, reducing weight and size.”
Sleepwalking peripherals and idle and standby sleep modes are characteristics of the low-power 32-bit SAMD21RT MCU.
A 12-channel event system, a 12-channel Direct Memory Access Controller (DMAC), multiple Timer/Counters for Control (TCC), a 32-bit Real Time Counter (RTC), a Watchdog Timer (WDT), and a USB 2.0 interface are among the additional peripherals.
I2C, SPI, LIN, Serial Communication (SERCOM), and I2C are examples of communication choices.
Microchip’s Leadership in Space Applications
Microchip is essential to today’s and tomorrow’s missions and has played a major role in space exploration history with tens of thousands of pieces in orbit. As part of the Artemis program, its goods are headed to the moon and are helping to make the Space Launch System, Orion Spacecraft, Lunar Gateway, Lunar Lander, and next-generation spacesuits successful.
Further Info about Microchip’s space heritage: CLICK HERE
Development Tools
The SAMD21RT 32-bit MCU is supported by the SAM D21 Curiosity Nano Evaluation Kit, MPLAB® X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and MPLAB PICkit™ 5 in-circuit debugger/programmer.
Pricing and Availability
The SAMD21RT 32-bit MCU is available in limited sampling upon request. For additional information, contact a Microchip sales representative.
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