Microchip Technology ATSTK600-RC64

Overview

ATSTK600-RC64 from Microchip Technology (formerly Atmel) is a 64-pin routing card designed for the STK600 development platform to adapt target AVR microcontrollers with specific pinouts to the STK600's generic socket interface. It features dual SAMTEC FSI-150-03-G-D-AD (100-pin) and FSI-140-03-G-D-AD (80-pin) spring-loaded connectors, supports full MCU pin mapping including ISP/JTAG, HV programming, USB OTG, and analog reference signals, and enables rapid prototyping of new AVR devices without redesigning the base board.

For engineers reviewing the ATSTK600-RC64 datasheet, ATSTK600-RC64 pinout, ATSTK600-RC64 application, or ATSTK600-RC64 equivalent, this routing card provides verified mechanical and electrical compatibility with STK600's J201/J202 socket headers, implements BOARD_ID encoding per AVR600 spec (e.g., ID 0xCC), and delivers signal integrity for high-speed ISP, JTAG, and HVSP programming across 64 routed I/O lines.

Technical Context

The ATSTK600-RC64 functions as an interposer between the STK600 main board and a target-specific socket card, translating fixed STK600 header pinouts (J201/J202) to device-specific MCU pin assignments. It routes all 64 GPIO ports (PA–PH, PJ–PQ), power rails (VTG/GND), clock inputs (XTAL1/XTAL2, TOSC1/TOSC2), programming interfaces (ISP, JTAG, HVSP), USB signals (DP/DN, UID, UVCON, VBUST), and BOARD_ID identification lines.

Its design adheres strictly to the AVR600 specification: 1.6 mm PCB thickness for clip compatibility, no onboard active components or decoupling (power routing handled by STK600), and bidirectional signal pass-through with no logic translation or voltage level shifting. The card uses dedicated BOARD_ID pins (BOARD_ID0–BOARD_ID3) to encode identity for STK600 firmware validation.

Key Specifications

Availability

ATSTK600-RC64 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for AVR microcontroller evaluation, embedded firmware development, production-ready ISP programming validation, and custom peripheral integration requiring stable component supply and long-term toolchain continuity.

Supply support for ATSTK600-RC64 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 STK600 ecosystem, including legacy routing, socket, and expansion cards. Atmel pioneered high-flexibility AVR development tools with emphasis on field-upgradable hardware abstraction.

The ATSTK600-RC64 belongs to the STK600 routing card product line, engineered specifically to decouple MCU package evolution from base-board redesign - enabling rapid adoption of new AVR variants while preserving investment in the STK600 platform.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the ATSTK600-RC64 in the STK600 system?

The ATSTK600-RC64 is a passive routing card that bridges the STK600 main board to a target-specific socket card, translating the fixed J201/J202 header pinouts into the exact pin assignment required by a particular AVR microcontroller. It carries all 64 I/O signals, power, clocks, programming interfaces (ISP/JTAG/HVSP), USB, and BOARD_ID lines without modification or buffering - ensuring direct signal fidelity for development and validation of ATSTK600-RC64-based prototypes.

Does the ATSTK600-RC64 include any active components or power regulation?

No. The ATSTK600-RC64 contains only passive copper traces and connector footprints - no ICs, resistors, capacitors, or voltage regulators. Power delivery (VTG/GND), decoupling, and level control are handled entirely by the STK600 base board and socket card per AVR600 specification. This keeps the ATSTK600-RC64 electrically transparent and mechanically simple for reliable stacking and signal integrity.

How does the BOARD_ID system work on the ATSTK600-RC64?

The ATSTK600-RC64 implements the AVR600-defined BOARD_ID interface using BOARD_ID0–BOARD_ID3 pins to encode a 4-bit ID value (e.g., 0xCC for 3.3 V operation). These pins connect to the STK600's ID decoder to enforce voltage limits and prevent incompatible card combinations. The ATSTK600-RC64 must be wired per AVR600 Figure 4-3 to report its correct ID - no onboard logic or EEPROM is used.

Which AVR microcontroller packages and pin counts does the ATSTK600-RC64 support?

The ATSTK600-RC64 supports any AVR device whose pin count and signal set map within the 64-routed I/O lines defined in Tables 1-2 and 1-3 of AVR600 (J201/J202 headers), including 64-pin TQFP, QFN, and MLF packages. It does not support devices requiring >64 routed signals or non-standard pin functions outside the STK600's exposed header set - compatibility is determined by physical pin alignment and signal availability on ATSTK600-RC64.

Can the ATSTK600-RC64 be used without a socket card?

No. The ATSTK600-RC64 is designed exclusively as an interposer between the STK600 main board and a socket card - it lacks a physical IC socket and cannot mount a target MCU directly. A compatible socket card (e.g., ATSTK600-SO64) must be stacked above the ATSTK600-RC64 to hold the AVR device; the ATSTK600-RC64's sole role is signal routing and ID encoding between those two layers.