Microchip Technology ATSTK600-RC99

Overview

ATSTK600-RC99 from Microchip Technology (formerly Atmel) is a routing card designed for the STK600 development platform, enabling physical and signal interface between target AVR microcontroller socket cards and the STK600 base board. It supports 80-pin and 100-pin SAMTEC FSI spring-loaded connectors, provides full MCU pin mapping (PA–PQ, AREF, XTAL, ISP/JTAG, HV programming, USB, and BOARD_ID signals), and enables rapid prototyping of new AVR device packages without redesigning the base system.

For engineers reviewing the ATSTK600-RC99 datasheet, ATSTK600-RC99 pinout, ATSTK600-RC99 application, or ATSTK600-RC99 equivalent, this routing card delivers verified mechanical compatibility with STK600 clips (1.6 mm board thickness), standardized ID-system signaling for voltage-aware board recognition, and direct access to all target MCU I/O, clock, power, and programming resources - critical for custom socket development and high-voltage parallel programming validation.

Technical Context

The ATSTK600-RC99 implements a passive interconnect layer with no active components or logic. It routes 100 signals from the STK600 bottom-side headers (J201/J202) to the top-side 80-pin socket card interface, preserving 1:1 MCU pin mapping including PORTA–PORTQ, analog references (AREF0/AREF1), crystal inputs (XTAL1/XTAL2), ISP (TGT_MOSI/MISO/SCK), JTAG (TDI/TDO/TMS/TCK), USB (DP/DN/UID/UVCON/VBUST), and HV programming lines (TGT_PDATA0–7, TGT_PCTRL0–7).

It integrates the STK600 ID system via BOARD_ID0–BOARD_ID7 pins, supporting hardware-encoded board identification (e.g., 0xCA = 1.8 V limit, 0xCC = 3.3 V limit) that informs AVR Studio® of voltage constraints and prevents incompatible stack configurations. Signal integrity relies on controlled pad placement per Figure 1-2 and clip-hole alignment per Figure 1-3, with no onboard decoupling or power regulation.

Key Specifications

Availability

ATSTK600-RC99 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for AVR microcontroller evaluation, custom socket card development, high-voltage parallel programming validation, and STK600-based embedded prototyping requiring stable component supply and documented mechanical/electrical interface compliance.

Supply support for ATSTK600-RC99 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 the STK600 ecosystem, including routing, socket, and expansion cards. The company specializes in microcontrollers, development tools, and embedded control solutions.

The ATSTK600-RC99 belongs to the STK600 routing card product line, engineered to simplify AVR device bring-up by decoupling package-specific socket design from base-board hardware - enabling low-cost, rapid adaptation to new pinouts and package types without modifying the STK600 main board.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the ATSTK600-RC99 in the STK600 system?

The ATSTK600-RC99 serves as a passive signal-routing card that bridges the STK600 base board to AVR socket cards. It maps all 100 STK600 header signals-including GPIO, clock, programming (ISP/JTAG/HV), USB, and ID lines-to the top-side 80-pin socket interface. Its role is strictly mechanical and electrical interconnection; it contains no active components, regulators, or logic. This allows developers to prototype new AVR packages using custom socket cards while reusing the same ATSTK600-RC99 routing layer.

Which connectors are required to mount the ATSTK600-RC99 in an STK600 stack?

The ATSTK600-RC99 requires two SAMTEC FSI-150-03-G-D-AD 100-pin spring-loaded connectors on its bottom side (for mating with STK600 J201/J202 headers) and two SAMTEC FSI-140-03-G-D-AD 80-pin spring-loaded connectors on its top side (for mating with socket cards). These connectors are specified in Table 1-1 of Atmel Application Note AVR600 and are essential for reliable zero-insertion-force contact across the full signal set.

Does the ATSTK600-RC99 provide power regulation or decoupling for target AVRs?

No, the ATSTK600-RC99 does not include power regulation, voltage translation, or decoupling capacitors. Power delivery (VTG, Vcc, Vext, GND) is routed passively from the STK600 to the socket card. As noted in Section 2.1 of AVR600, power integrity relies entirely on the socket card and target MCU layout - meaning heavily loaded or high-speed designs may experience noise or ground bounce. Engineers must implement local decoupling on the socket card, not the ATSTK600-RC99.

How does the BOARD_ID system work on the ATSTK600-RC99?

The ATSTK600-RC99 exposes BOARD_ID0–BOARD_ID7 pins per Tables 1-2/1-3 and Section 4 of AVR600. BOARD_ID0/1 are outputs from STK600; BOARD_ID2/3 are inputs assigned by the routing card to encode its identity (e.g., 0xCC for 3.3 V operation). The STK600 reads this 8-bit ID to enforce voltage limits and alert AVR Studio® of incompatible stacks. The ATSTK600-RC99 itself does not generate IDs - it routes and terminates these lines per user-defined resistor or jumper configurations.

Can the ATSTK600-RC99 be used with non-AVR microcontrollers on STK600?

No - the ATSTK600-RC99 is specifically designed for Atmel/Microchip AVR microcontrollers. Its pinout matches AVR port naming (PA–PQ), peripheral signals (AREF, XTAL, TGT_*), and HV programming protocols. While physically compatible with STK600's mechanical interface, signal assignments (e.g., TGT_PDATA7, UVCON, UID) have no functional equivalence for non-AVR devices. Using it with other architectures would require complete redesign of the socket card and firmware toolchain support.