Microchip Technology ATSTK600-RC55

Overview

ATSTK600-RC55 from Microchip Technology (formerly Atmel) is a production-ready evaluation and development platform for the AT32UC3L064/032/016 family of 32-bit AVR UC microcontrollers. It supports full-speed debugging, flash programming, and hardware validation of low-power embedded applications using the picoPower®-enabled AT32UC3L series. Key confirmed features include on-board JTAG/aWire debug interface, 48-pin TQFP socket, integrated power regulation (1.62–3.6 V), and direct support for capacitive touch (QTouch®/QMatrix®) and real-time clock (AST + 32kHz oscillator) evaluation.

For engineers reviewing the ATSTK600-RC55 datasheet, ATSTK600-RC55 pinout, ATSTK600-RC55 application, or ATSTK600-RC55 equivalent, this board enables rapid prototyping of ultra-low-power MCU designs with 36 GPIOs, 36 PWM channels, four USARTs, dual TWI, SPI, 12-channel peripheral DMA, and 8-channel 12-bit ADC - all while validating sleepwalking, MPU-secured execution, and secure library integration via FlashVault™.

Technical Context

The ATSTK600-RC55 is a dedicated hardware evaluation platform-not an IC or discrete component-designed to host and exercise the AT32UC3L064/032/016 microcontroller in its native 48-pin TQFP/QFN/TLLGA package. It provides physical access to all 36 GPIO pins, five high-drive outputs, analog inputs (AD[0:8]), capacitive touch sense lines (CSA[0:16], CSB[0:16]), and dedicated debug signals (TCK/TMS/TDO/TDI, aWire DATA/DATAOUT, EVTI_N/EVTO_N).

It integrates regulated power delivery (VDDCORE, VDDIO, VDDANA), configurable oscillator support (XIN0/XOUT0, XIN32/XOUT32), reset control, and jumper-selectable signal routing for USART, SPI, TWI, and PWM peripherals. The board does not contain active silicon beyond the socketed MCU and supporting passive/linear components; no internal processor, memory, or programmable logic resides on the STK600 baseboard itself.

Key Specifications

Availability

ATSTK600-RC55 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for low-power embedded design validation, capacitive touch interface development, real-time clock system integration, and secure firmware prototyping requiring stable component supply and long-term toolchain continuity.

Supply support for ATSTK600-RC55 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 Inc. is a global semiconductor company delivering smart, connected, and secure embedded control solutions, formed through the acquisition of Atmel in 2016.

The ATSTK600-RC55 belongs to the STK600 modular development platform family, engineered specifically to accelerate evaluation and firmware development for Atmel AVR UC and UC3 microcontrollers with emphasis on ultra-low-power operation, secure boot, and human-interface applications.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the ATSTK600-RC55?

The ATSTK600-RC55 is a hardware evaluation and development kit designed exclusively for the AT32UC3L064/032/016 family of 32-bit AVR UC microcontrollers. It provides socketed mounting, full signal access, regulated power, and debug interfaces to enable firmware development, peripheral validation, and low-power system characterization - not as a standalone product but as a test vehicle for the target MCU. The ATSTK600-RC55 itself contains no processing core or memory beyond what is required for board-level support functions.

Does the ATSTK600-RC55 include the AT32UC3L microcontroller?

No, the ATSTK600-RC55 is a bare evaluation board and does not include the AT32UC3L064/032/016 microcontroller. Users must separately procure and socket the target MCU into the 48-pin TQFP footprint. The board provides all necessary power sequencing, clock distribution, reset conditioning, and debug connectivity to operate the MCU once installed. The ATSTK600-RC55's functionality is fully dependent on the presence and correct configuration of the user-supplied AT32UC3L device.

Which debug protocols does the ATSTK600-RC55 support for the AT32UC3L series?

The ATSTK600-RC55 supports both JTAG and single-pin aWire debug protocols for the AT32UC3L064/032/016 MCU. JTAG uses dedicated pins (TCK/TMS/TDO/TDI) routed to the 10-pin header, while aWire shares the RESET_N pin for programming and trace. Both interfaces provide Nexus Class 2+ compliant non-intrusive trace, runtime control, and full-speed memory access. The ATSTK600-RC55 implements the required level-shifting and signal conditioning to ensure reliable communication with standard debug probes across voltage ranges.

Can the ATSTK600-RC55 be used to evaluate capacitive touch functionality of the AT32UC3L?

Yes, the ATSTK600-RC55 provides direct access to all 17 capacitive touch sense lines (CSA[0:16] and CSB[0:16]) and associated control signals (SMP, SYNC, DIS, VDIVEN) required by the CAT module in the AT32UC3L. It supports QTouch® and QMatrix® sensor layouts, including self- and mutual-capacitance configurations, and enables hardware validation of autonomous wake-from-sleep touch detection. The ATSTK600-RC55's layout preserves signal integrity for analog touch acquisition without added noise or crosstalk.

Is the ATSTK600-RC55 compatible with other STK600 daughterboards or modules?

Yes, the ATSTK600-RC55 is a fully compliant STK600 routing card and mechanically/electrically interoperable with the STK600 base board, power supply, and all official STK600 add-on modules (e.g., LED, LCD, RS232, CAN, Ethernet). It follows the STK600 routing specification for signal mapping, voltage domain isolation, and connector pinout. This allows users to combine the ATSTK600-RC55 with other STK600 accessories to extend functionality - for example, adding CAN communication or Ethernet connectivity while retaining full access to the AT32UC3L's native peripherals.