Microchip / Atmel SAMD21 Arm Cortex-M0+ microcontroller has been around for several years, and we covered various boards based on the MCU include the official Arduino Zero launched in 2014, Arduino Tian, and the tiny SAM 15×15 or Exen Proto boards among others.
Another SAMD21 development board has now shown up on Electrodragon website: SAMD21 Mini Development Board sold for $14.50 on the website, but you’ll also find it, under the RobotDyn or Wemos brand on Aliexpress for $7.05 and up.
SAMD21 Mini Board / WeMos D1 SAMD21 M0 Mini
Specifications:
- MCU – Microchip ATSAMD21G18 Arm Cortex-M0+ microcontroller @ 48 MHz with 32KB data RAM, 256KB flash
- USB – 1x micro USB port for power and programming
- Expansion
- 2x 14-pin headers with 19x digital I/O (including 12x PWM), 6x Analog I/O
- 3.3V logic level
- Programming – 6-pin ISCP connector
- Misc – Power, Tx and Rx LED’s, button
- Power Supply
- Input – 5V via micro USB port or VIN
- Output – 3.3V-800mA (However, it reads 3.3V/180mA on the silkscreen)
- Consumption – 3.3V @ 220mA
- Dimensions – 56.5 x 18 mm
- Temperature Range – -40° – +85°
Both Wemos D1 SAMD21 M0 Mini and RobotDyn SAMD21 Mini boards appear to be identical except for the branding on the bottom of the board. There’s not an awful lot of documentation made available from any of the sellers but luckily, BLavery tested the board late last year and documented his experience with Arduino and CircuitPython on Github.
Thanks to Zoobab for the tip.
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
Regarding the Robotdyn and Wemos boards you have mentioned, there are some minor points to take into account. I am currently using both the Wemos and the Robotdyn versions of the board and the choice of which module I order is primarily determined by delivery time. One the boards I have received, there are a few differences, the voltage regulators used are different between two with the Robotdyn units having both a higher current rating and a lower quiescent current. Neither module is capable of supplying any where near the 800mA shown in the specification section. Having said that, in… Read more »
Mine is labelled HW-799 and Arduino IDE recognizes device ATSAMD21G18A
Blinky needed to toggle 25
First Arduino IDE host machine could not upload via USB. 2nd no problem.