Microchip SAM D5x Arm Cortex-M4 microcontrollers were introduced in 2017, and the next year we started to see Arduino or MicroPython compatible board brought to market including Adafruit Metro M4 or Tachyon boards.
Seeed Studio has now introduced its own Arduino & MicroPython compatible SAMD51 platform with Wio Terminal also integrating an RTL8720DN dual-band WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5.0 chip, and 2.4″ LCD display. There are also Grove connectors to add sensor modules, and a 40-pin header to use the device like a Raspberry Pi HAT.
Wio Terminal features and specifications:
- MCU – Microchip SAMD51 (ATSAMD51P19) Arm Cortex-M4F microcontroller @ 120 MHz (can be overclocked to 200 MHz) with 192KB RAM,
512KB flash - Storage – 4MB external SPI flash, MicroSD card slot up to 16GB
- Display – 2.4″ LCD screen with 320×240 resolution (ILI9341 driver)
- Audio – Microphone and buzzer
- Connectivity – Dual-band WiFi 4 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth 5.0 via Realtek RTL8720DN COrtex-M4/M0 WiSoC
- USB – 1x USB-C OTG port
- Sensors – LIS3DHTR accelerometer, light sensor, IR emitter
- Expansion
- 40-pin Raspberry Pi Compatible female header to connect to Raspberry Pi board
- 2x multi-function Grove connectors
- 20-pin FPC connector (no details provided)
- Misc – 5-Way Switch, Power/Reset switch, 3x user-defined buttons
- Power Supply – 5V via USB-C port
- Dimensions – 72 x 57 x 12mm (ABS+PC materials)
- Temperature Range – -40°C ~ 85°C (TA)
Wio Terminal ships with a short USB Type-C cable, and a user manual. You’ll find hardware and software documentation on the Wiki to help you get started with Arduino. The board is also compatible with MicroPython, and ArduPy.
Some potential applications include Python terminal device, data collection device for Machine Learning, hand-held device, portable retro gaming console, IoT controller, education & prototyping, and Raspberry Pi accessories. Some of those use cases are demonstrated in the video below.
Wio Terminal is available for pre-order for $29.90 plus shipping and currently comes with a free $14 Wio Link board. Seeed Studio expects to start shipping pre-orders on April 15. Alternatively, you have a twitter account, you could try to get one for free, as the company will be giving away three Wio Terminals to randomly selected retweets.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress
>Arm Cortex-M4F microcontroller @ 1200 MHz
😉
Speaking of Cortex M4, I read about
ST’s STM32L4P5 and STM32L4Q5 MCUs bring the Arm Cortex-M4 core to cost-sensitive and power-conscious smart connected devices, including utility meters, industrial and medical sensors, fitness trackers, and smart-home products. ” Just yesterday, Friday.
”
STM32L4P5 and STM32L4Q5 devices extend the ultra‐low‐power portfolio and performance with an ARM®Cortex®‐M4 core with DSP and floating‐point unit (FPU) at 120 MHz.
The STM32L4P5 portfolio offers 512 Kbytes to 1 Mbytes of Flash memory and from 48 to 169-pin packages.
The STM32L4Q5 features 1 Mbytes of Flash memory and provides an additional encryption accelerator engine (AES, HASH and PKA). ”
” Budgetary pricing starts at $3.90 for theSTM32L4P5CEU6 with 512KByte Flash in the QFN48 package, for orders of 10,000 pieces per year. Samples are available immediately and full production is ramping up.'”
ref: Electronisweekly
I find this thing extremely interesting to build terminals for heating controllers or weather stations. However I’m very surprised that it doesn’t include a battery! It supports radio and everything to stay disconnected but requires a cable to work. Even the heating controller I made at home based on an ESP8266 includes a battery that allows me to move it to various places in the room or even outside and monitor the temperature/moist.
With that said, I really like the fact they placed a female 40-pin connector behind. It allows to easily build base boards and place this thing on top to provide a human-machine interface. I’m wondering if it could take a camera input like ESP32-cam does. It would constitute a nice interface for a laser engraver to monitor closely the work in progress, and maybe adjust some parameters or head position very easily. I’m going to apply for one 🙂
It’s coming.
Ah cool, I didn’t notice it. Anyway I ordered one, I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to use it for various things. I’ll see if I can hack a thin lipo battery inside.
MTBF? Warranty?
Without any further info, I have to assume the screen backlight will last about 6 months with heavy use.
Judging by the picture, there is no backlight. It’s a classic B/W LCD, like in 80’s CASIO watches.
No, look at the video, it’s a color display.
I’m not sure if it can compete with the M5Stack boards.
No JTAG/SWD port? Any way to properly debug code on this thing?