Atmel SAM W25 Xplained Pro [USER GUIDE]
42463A-MCU-06/2015
6
3.
Xplained Pro
Xplained Pro is an evaluation platform that provides the complete Atmel microcontroller / SoC RF experience.
The platform consists of a series of Microcontroller (MCU), wireless and extension boards that are integrated
with Atmel Studio, have Atmel Software Framework (ASF) drivers and demo code, support data streaming and
more. Xplained Pro boards support a wide range of Xplained Pro extension boards that are connected through
a set of standardized headers and connectors. Each extension board has an identification (ID) chip to uniquely
identify which boards are connected to a Xplained Pro board. This information is used to present relevant user
guides, application notes, datasheets, and example code through Atmel Studio. Available Xplained Pro MCU
and extension boards can be purchased in the
Atmel Web Store
1
.
3.1
Embedded Debugger
The SAM W25 Xplained Pro contains the Atmel Embedded Debugger (EDBG) for on-board debugging. The
EDBG is a composite USB device of three interfaces; a debugger, Virtual COM Port, and Data Gateway
Interface (DGI).
In conjunction with Atmel Studio, the EDBG debugger interface can program and debug the ATSAMW25H18-
MR510PB. On the SAM W25 Xplained Pro, the SWD interface is connected between the EDBG and the
ATSAMW25H18-MR510PB.
The Virtual COM Port is connected to a UART port on the ATSAMW25H18-MR510PB (see section
“Embedded
Debugger Implementation” on page 11
for pinout), and provides an easy way to communicate with the
target application through simple terminal software. It offers variable baud rate, parity, and stop bit settings.
Note that the settings on the target device UART must match the settings given in the terminal software.
The DGI consists of several physical data interfaces for communication with the host computer. See section
“Embedded Debugger Implementation” on page 11
for available interfaces and pinout. Communication over
the interfaces are bidirectional. It can be used to send events and values from the ATSAMW25H18-MR510PB,
or as a generic printf-style data channel. Traffic over the interfaces can be timestamped on the EDBG for more
accurate tracing of events. Note that timestamping imposes an overhead that reduces maximal throughput. The
DGI uses a proprietary protocol, and is thus only compatible with Atmel Studio.
The EDBG controls two LEDs on SAM W25 Xplained Pro; a power LED and a status LED.
Table 3-1, “EDBG
LED Control” on page 6
shows how the LEDs are controlled in different operation modes.
Table 3-1. EDBG LED Control
Operation Mode
Power LED
Status LED
Normal operation
Power LED is lit when power is
applied to the board.
Activity indicator, LED flashes
every time something happens on
the EDBG.
Bootloader mode (idle)
The power LED and the status LED blinks simultaneously.
Bootloader mode (firmware
upgrade)
The power LED and the status LED blinks in an alternating pattern.
For further documentation on the EDBG, see the
EDBG User Guide
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.
3.2
Hardware Identification System
All Xplained Pro compatible extension boards have an Atmel ATSHA204A CryptoAuthentication™ chip
mounted. This chip contains information that identifies the extension with its name and some extra data. When
an Xplained Pro extension board is connected to an Xplained Pro board the information is read and sent
to Atmel Studio. The Atmel Kits extension, installed with Atmel Studio, will give relevant information, code
examples, and links to relevant documents.
Table 3-2, “Xplained Pro ID Chip Content” on page 6
shows
the data fields stored in the ID chip with example content.
Table 3-2. Xplained Pro ID Chip Content
Data Field
Data Type
Example Content
Manufacturer
ASCII string
Atmel’\0’
Product Name
ASCII string
Segment LCD1 Xplained Pro’\0’
Product Revision
ASCII string
02’\0’
1
http://www.atmel.com/buy/default.aspx
2
http://www.atmel.com/Images/Atmel-42096-Microcontrollers-Embedded-Debugger_User-Guide.pdf
