This guide provides step-by-step instructions to set up the Microchip SAMA5D27 hardware and integrate it with IoTConnect, Avnet's robust IoT platform. The SAMA5D27 hardware platform provides flexible options for IoT application development, enabling secure device onboarding, telemetry collection, and over-the-air (OTA) updates.
- Overview
- Hardware Description
- Set Up Your Development Environment
- Set Up Device Hardware
- Integration with IoTConnect
- Additional Documentation
- Troubleshooting
- Revision Info
The SAMA5D27 hardware platform is based on the Microchip SAMA5D27 System on Module (SOM), providing robust performance for IoT applications. Paired with IoTConnect, this platform enables secure connectivity, real-time data collection, and device management for various use cases, including industrial automation, healthcare, and smart home solutions.
For detailed technical specifications of the SAMA5D27 hardware, refer to the official Microchip SAMA5D27 SOM1 Evaluation Kit Datasheet.
The standard SAMA5D27 Evaluation Kit includes:
- SAMA5D27 Evaluation Board.
- Power Adapter (5V DC).
- Micro-USB Cable for debugging and communication.
- Quick Start Guide with initial setup instructions.
Note: The contents may vary depending on the distributor. Verify with your vendor.
To use the SAMA5D27 hardware, you will need:
- Host Computer: For configuration and development.
- Ethernet Cable: For network connectivity.
- MicroSD Card: Required for booting or storing application data.
Optional accessories to enhance the functionality of the SAMA5D27 platform include:
- USB-to-UART Adapters: For debugging (e.g., FTDI cables).
- Expansion Boards: Add-on boards to extend I/O or peripheral connectivity.
The SAMA5D27 platform supports the following operating systems:
- Host OS:
- Windows 10/11
- Ubuntu 20.04 or later
- macOS 11.0 or later
- Device OS:
- Yocto-based Linux distribution for the SAMA5D27 (Linux4SAM).
To develop and debug applications for the SAMA5D27, the following tools are required:
- Yocto Build Tools:
- Follow the instructions for setting up the Yocto build environment on the Linux4SAM Documentation.
- SDKs:
- Install the IoTConnect SDK available from the IoTConnect Python Lite SDK.
- Optional IDEs:
- VS Code or other text editors for development.
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Click here to download the image for the SAMA5D27.
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Download the image:
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Follow the "Create a SD card with the demo" section of the instructions to flash the image to an SD card.
Important: Must use a full-size SD card or a micro-SD card with a full-size adapter.
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Connect the Ethernet cable to the onboard Ethernet port for internet access.
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Use the provided micro-USB cable to connect the SAMA5D27 to your computer via the J10 micro-USB port:
Note: The USB connection also powers the board.
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Check the COM port of the board in the Device Manager:
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Connect to the board using a terminal emulator (e.g., PuTTY) with the following settings:
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Insert the SD card into the SD card slot.
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Press the NRST button to reboot the board and boot from the SD card:
Follow the instructions in the Python Lite SDK Quickstart Guide to complete the demo setup and execution.
The SAMA5D27 Evaluation Kit supports seamless integration with IoTConnect. Using the IoTConnect SDK, you can:
- Provision devices for secure communication with AWS IoT Core.
- Send and receive telemetry data in real-time.
- Manage device firmware with over-the-air (OTA) updates.
Refer to the IoTConnect SDK Documentation for more details.
For further resources, visit:
Symptom: The board does not power on; power LED is off. Solutions:
- Power Supply Verification: Ensure the USB cable is securely connected to the J10 micro-USB port and a functioning power source.
- Power Switch: Confirm that any onboard power switches are in the "ON" position.
- Inspect for Damage: Check the board for visible signs of damage or component issues.
Symptom: No output appears in the terminal emulator during boot-up or operation.
Solutions:
- Serial Connection: Verify the micro-USB cable is connected to the J10 port.
- COM Port Identification: On Windows, check Device Manager for the assigned COM port under "Ports (COM & LPT)".
- Terminal Settings: Configure your terminal emulator (e.g., PuTTY) with the following settings:
- Baud Rate: 115200
- Data Bits: 8
- Parity: None
- Stop Bits: 1
- Flow Control: None
- Driver Installation: Ensure that the necessary USB-to-serial drivers are installed on your host machine.
Symptom: The device fails to boot from the SD card or eMMC.
Solutions:
- Boot Medium Preparation: Ensure the boot medium (SD card or eMMC) is properly flashed with a compatible image.
- Boot Mode Selection: Verify that the boot mode switches or jumpers are configured correctly for the intended boot source.
- SD Card Integrity: Use high-quality SD cards and check for errors using appropriate tools.
- Log Analysis: Observe boot logs via the serial console for error messages that can provide clues to the failure point.
- View the complete Commit History for this repository.
- View changes to this document: README.md History.