Microchip Technology ATSTK600-RC04

Overview

ATSTK600-RC04 from Microchip Technology (formerly Atmel) is a development kit designed to evaluate and prototype with the AT32UC3L064/032/016 family of 32-bit AVR UC microcontrollers. It supports full-speed debugging via JTAG and aWire, provides access to all 48 pins of the TQFP/QFN/TLLGA package, and integrates hardware for capacitive touch evaluation, analog measurement, PWM control, and real-time clock validation using the on-chip AST and 32kHz oscillator. It targets low-power embedded applications including battery-powered HMI, sensor nodes, and industrial control.

For engineers reviewing the ATSTK600-RC04 datasheet, ATSTK600-RC04 pinout, ATSTK600-RC04 application, or ATSTK600-RC04 equivalent, this kit enables rapid validation of picoPower® operation down to 9nA standby, secure library execution via FlashVault™, Peripheral Event System autonomy, SleepWalking power management, and QTouch® capacitive sensing with up to 17 sensors - all using the native AT32UC3L device architecture without external glue logic.

Technical Context

The ATSTK600-RC04 is a hardware platform built around the AT32UC3L064 microcontroller, featuring a 50MHz AVR32 UC RISC core with Memory Protection Unit (MPU), Secure Access Unit (SAU), and Nexus Class 2+ debug infrastructure. It exposes the full peripheral set including 36-channel PWMA, 4 USARTs, dual TWI interfaces, 8-channel 12-bit ADC, and Capacitive Touch Module with CSA/CSB signal routing.

It implements direct hardware support for key low-power features: RC32OUT startup clock on PA20, AST-driven calendar mode with 136-year timeout, SleepWalking activation of peripherals in sleep modes, and configurable high-drive I/O on five pins (PA02/PA06/PA08/PA09/PB01). All signals map to the 48-pin TQFP footprint with dedicated test points for VDDCORE, VDDIO, VDDANA, and GNDANA rails.

Key Specifications

Availability

ATSTK600-RC04 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for low-power HMI development, capacitive touch prototyping, real-time clock subsystem validation, and ultra-low-power sensor node design requiring stable component supply and long-term toolchain continuity.

Supply support for ATSTK600-RC04 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

Microchip Technology acquired Atmel in 2016 and maintains full support for the AVR32 UC product line, including documentation, tools, and firmware libraries for the AT32UC3L series.

The ATSTK600-RC04 belongs to Microchip's ATSTK600 starter kit family, designed specifically to accelerate evaluation and firmware development for the picoPower®-optimized AT32UC3L microcontrollers targeting battery-operated and energy-constrained embedded systems.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the ATSTK600-RC04 development kit?

The ATSTK600-RC04 is a hardware evaluation platform for the AT32UC3L064/032/016 microcontrollers. It provides full pin access, integrated debugging (JTAG/aWire), calibrated power rails, and dedicated circuitry for validating capacitive touch, real-time clock, low-power sleep modes, and peripheral event system functionality - all using the native AT32UC3L silicon without abstraction layers.

Does the ATSTK600-RC04 support debugging of secure code executed from FlashVault™-protected regions?

Yes. The ATSTK600-RC04 leverages the on-chip Nexus Class 2+ debug system present in the AT32UC3L device. This allows non-intrusive program trace and memory access even when secure libraries are executing in Secure State - enabling developers to validate end-user application integration with pre-programmed FlashVault™ code on the AT32UC3L target MCU mounted on the ATSTK600-RC04 board.

Can the ATSTK600-RC04 be used to verify SleepWalking behavior with the AT32UC3L MCU?

Yes. The ATSTK600-RC04 exposes all required signals - including EVTI_N/EVTO_N, peripheral clocks (GCLK[4..0]), and individual module enable controls - to validate SleepWalking operation. Developers can configure modules like TC, AST, or ADC to wake autonomously from sleep modes based on events, using the exact same register interface and timing behavior as in final production hardware.

How does the ATSTK600-RC04 support capacitive touch development with QTouch®?

The ATSTK600-RC04 provides direct access to all 17 CSA/CSB lines, SMP, SYNC, and VDIVEN signals from the AT32UC3L's Capacitive Touch Module. It includes jumper-selectable RC networks and test points aligned with Atmel's QTouch Library requirements, enabling hardware-level tuning of sensitivity, noise rejection, and adjacent key suppression - all while running the certified QTouch acquisition firmware on the AT32UC3L MCU onboard the ATSTK600-RC04.

Is the 32.768kHz crystal on the ATSTK600-RC04 connected to the correct pins for AST calendar mode operation on the AT32UC3L?

Yes. The ATSTK600-RC04 connects the 32.768kHz crystal directly to XIN32 (PA10) and XOUT32 (PA12) - matching the primary oscillator location specified in the AT32UC3L datasheet for Asynchronous Timer (AST) calendar mode. This configuration enables accurate real-time clock operation with up to 136-year timeout capability and supports FREQM-based drift calibration - both validated on the AT32UC3L device mounted on the ATSTK600-RC04 board.