Microchip Technology AT91EB40A

Overview

AT91EB40A from Atmel (now Microchip Technology) is an evaluation board designed for the AT91R40008 ARM7TDMI-based 32-bit microcontroller. It integrates 256 KB SRAM footprint, 2 MB Flash (AT49BV162A), dual RS-232 serial interfaces, 20-pin JTAG debug interface, and expansion connectors for EBI and GPIO - enabling real-time firmware development, hardware validation, and peripheral integration testing in embedded ARM applications.

For engineers reviewing the AT91EB40A datasheet, AT91EB40A pinout, AT91EB40A application, or AT91EB40A equivalent, this page provides verified board-level specifications, jumper configuration guidance, memory mapping details, Angel™ Debug Monitor integration, and power measurement strap usage - all essential for rapid prototyping and production-ready design validation.

Technical Context

The AT91EB40A implements a full-featured ARM7TDMI evaluation platform centered on the AT91R40008 in 100-pin TQFP, with dedicated 66 MHz crystal oscillator, dual regulated supplies (1.8 V VDDCORE / 3.3 V VDDIO), and on-board functional test software (FTS). Its architecture supports boot selection via JP1, core voltage configuration via CB2, and Flash memory selection between U1A and U1B footprints using CB11.

Board-level peripherals include two 32-pin expansion connectors (EBI and I/O), 20-pin ARM-standard JTAG header (P5), four user push-buttons (SW1–SW4), eight LEDs (D1–D8), and MAX3223-based RS-232 transceivers for Serial A (DB9 female, TX/RX swapped) and Serial B (DB9 male, standard pinout).

Key Specifications

Availability

AT91EB40A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for embedded ARM7TDMI development, industrial controller prototyping, and educational microcontroller labs requiring stable component supply and long-term toolchain continuity.

Supply support for AT91EB40A includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Atmel Corporation - acquired by Microchip Technology in 2016 - pioneered ARM-based microcontrollers for industrial, automotive, and consumer embedded systems, emphasizing low-power operation, integrated peripherals, and developer-friendly evaluation ecosystems.

The AT91EB40A belongs to Atmel's AT91 ARM Thumb evaluation board family, engineered specifically to accelerate time-to-code for ARM7TDMI-based designs through validated hardware, preloaded debug firmware (Angel), and comprehensive documentation including schematics, BOM, and memory mapping guides.

FAQ

What is the primary target microcontroller supported by the AT91EB40A evaluation board?

The AT91EB40A evaluation board is explicitly designed for the AT91R40008 - a 32-bit ARM7TDMI-based microcontroller in 100-pin TQFP packaging. The board's circuitry, memory mapping, jumper configurations (e.g., CB2 for core voltage), and preloaded software (Angel Monitor, FTS) are all validated for this specific device. While the board can be upgraded to support AT91M40800 or AT91R40807 with hardware changes, the AT91EB40A out-of-box functionality and documentation are fully aligned with the AT91R40008.

Does the AT91EB40A include populated memory components, or are they footprints only?

The AT91EB40A ships with a populated AT49BV162A 2 MB Flash memory (U1A), but no external SRAM devices - the 256 KB SRAM footprint (U2–U3) is unpopulated at factory. Users may add SRAM ranging from 256 KB to 1 MB x 16 bits using compatible parts like KM68V1002BJ-10 or 71V124-S10Y. The U1B Flash footprint remains unpopulated and supports optional AT49BV8011 or AT49BV400 devices, though U1A and U1B cannot operate simultaneously due to shared NCS0 routing controlled by CB11.

How does the AT91EB40A support current consumption measurement of the AT91R40008?

The AT91EB40A enables precise current measurement of the AT91R40008 via dedicated jumpers: JP5A/JP5B breaks the VDDIO path for ammeter insertion, while JP7A/JP7B breaks the VDDCORE path. This isolation allows independent measurement of I/O domain and core domain currents - critical for low-power optimization. The board's voltage regulators (U9 for 3.3 V, U11 for 1.8 V) feed these domains separately, and the design ensures only the AT91R40008 draws from these regulated rails when jumpers are configured per Section 2.6 and Appendix A.

What debug capabilities does the AT91EB40A provide out of the box?

The AT91EB40A includes the Angel™ Debug Monitor preprogrammed in Flash (sectors 3–8, address range 0x01006000–0x01011FFF), which loads into internal SRAM at boot if no button is pressed. It supports host-based debugging via either USART port using AT91Loader.exe. Additionally, the board features a 20-pin ARM-standard JTAG interface (P5) for ICE-based debugging without consuming system resources. Both methods are documented in Sections 3.5 and 4.6.2 of the AT91EB40A User Guide (Rev. 2635C–ATARM–13-May-05).

Can the AT91EB40A be used with modern development tools and IDEs?

Yes - the AT91EB40A is compatible with contemporary ARM toolchains via its Angel™ Debug Monitor and JTAG interface. Third-party evaluation compilers, assemblers, linkers, and debuggers were included on shipped CD-ROMs, and the board's memory map, reset vector behavior, and UART protocols align with standard ARM7TDMI development workflows. While original Atmel-provided tools are legacy, the board's open schematics, documented register mappings, and Angel's GDB-compatible protocol allow integration with modern GNU ARM toolchains and Eclipse-based IDEs when configured per the User Guide's Flash memory layout and boot sequence requirements.