solderic.com The SAMD21 and SAMD51 microcontrollers differ significantly in performance and features, with the SAMD51 offering higher clock speeds, more memory, and advanced peripherals suitable for demanding applications, while the SAMD21 remains a cost-effective choice for simpler projects. Explore the rest of the article to discover which microcontroller aligns best with Your development needs.
Comparison Table
| Feature | SAMD21 | SAMD51 |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ARM Cortex-M0+ | ARM Cortex-M4F |
| Max Clock Speed | 48 MHz | 120 MHz |
| RAM | 32 KB - 32 KB | 192 KB - 512 KB |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB - 512 KB | 256 KB - 1 MB |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit | 12-bit / 16-bit |
| DAC | 1 channel, 10-bit | 2 channels, 12-bit |
| Communication Interfaces | UART, SPI, I2C | UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, I2S |
| Operating Voltage | 1.62V - 3.63V | 1.62V - 3.63V |
| Package Options | TQFP, QFN | TQFP, QFN, BGA |
| Target Applications | Low-power, cost-sensitive | High-performance, DSP, audio |
Introduction to SAMD21 and SAMD51
The SAMD21 and SAMD51 are microcontroller families from Microchip, designed for embedded applications requiring low power and high performance. The SAMD21 features an ARM Cortex-M0+ core with efficient power consumption, ideal for basic IoT and control tasks, while the SAMD51 offers a more powerful ARM Cortex-M4 core with DSP and FPU capabilities, supporting advanced signal processing and faster computation. Your choice depends on the processing requirements, with SAMD21 suited for simple projects and SAMD51 tailored for more demanding applications needing higher throughput.
Core Architecture Comparison
The SAMD21 features an ARM Cortex-M0+ core operating up to 48 MHz, offering low power consumption ideal for basic embedded applications. In contrast, the SAMD51 utilizes a more powerful ARM Cortex-M4F core running up to 120 MHz with a floating point unit, delivering enhanced performance for complex processing tasks. Understanding these core architecture differences helps You select the right MCU balancing speed, power efficiency, and computational capability for Your projects.
Performance and Speed Differences
The SAMD51 microcontroller outperforms the SAMD21 with a Cortex-M4 core running up to 120 MHz, compared to the SAMD21's Cortex-M0+ core clocked at 48 MHz, delivering significantly higher processing power. The SAMD51's enhanced floating-point unit and DSP instructions enable more efficient handling of complex calculations and real-time signal processing tasks. Your projects requiring faster execution and greater computational capability benefit from the SAMD51's superior speed and performance over the SAMD21.
Memory Capacities and Expandability
The SAMD21 microcontroller provides up to 256 KB of flash memory and 32 KB of SRAM, suitable for moderate embedded applications, while the SAMD51 offers significantly larger capacities with up to 512 KB of flash and 192 KB of SRAM, enabling more complex and memory-intensive projects. The SAMD51's enhanced memory expandability supports advanced features such as extensive caching and larger firmware, giving Your designs greater flexibility and future-proofing. Choosing between the two depends on the required memory capacity and the potential need for expanding code size or data handling in Your application.
Power Consumption and Efficiency
The SAMD21 microcontroller offers low power consumption with a focus on ultra-low-power applications, featuring various sleep modes that help extend battery life. In contrast, the SAMD51, while slightly higher in power use due to its increased processing capabilities and higher clock speeds, provides greater efficiency through more advanced power management features and optimized processing speed. Your choice depends on balancing energy efficiency needs with performance requirements, where SAMD21 suits battery-sensitive projects and SAMD51 excels in demanding, yet still power-conscious, applications.
Peripheral Support and Connectivity
The SAMD21 microcontroller features a range of peripherals including USART, SPI, I2C interfaces, and basic USB support, making it suitable for standard connectivity needs in embedded applications. The SAMD51 enhances peripheral support with faster USB 2.0 On-The-Go (OTG) capability, additional SERCOM modules that allow flexible USART, SPI, and I2C configurations, and more advanced timers for precise control. Your choice between SAMD21 and SAMD51 will depend on the complexity of connectivity and peripheral versatility required for your project.
Development Tools and Software Ecosystem
The SAMD21 and SAMD51 microcontrollers are supported by robust development tools including Atmel Studio and Microchip MPLAB X IDE, with the SAMD51 offering enhanced debugging features and higher processing performance suitable for complex applications. Both devices benefit from a rich software ecosystem including ASF (Atmel Software Framework) and Arduino core support, though the SAMD51's ARM Cortex-M4 core enables more advanced real-time operating systems (RTOS) integration and DSP libraries. Extensive community support and firmware libraries provide seamless development workflows, while SAMD51's increased memory and core capabilities allow developers to leverage more sophisticated middleware and peripherals.
Target Applications and Use Cases
The SAMD21 microcontroller excels in low-power embedded applications such as wearable devices, IoT sensors, and basic automation due to its efficient ARM Cortex-M0+ core. SAMD51 targets more demanding applications like advanced audio processing, motor control, and complex IoT gateways by leveraging its higher-performance ARM Cortex-M4F core with DSP and floating-point capabilities. Both microcontrollers provide flexible peripheral options, but SAMD51's enhanced processing power suits real-time control and computation-heavy tasks in industrial and consumer electronics.
Pricing and Availability
The SAMD21 is generally more affordable and widely available due to its longer market presence and lower performance specifications, making it suitable for cost-sensitive projects. The SAMD51, while more expensive, offers higher processing power and advanced features, leading to increased demand but comparatively limited availability in some regions. Your choice depends on balancing budget constraints with performance requirements and component accessibility.
Which to Choose: SAMD21 or SAMD51?
Choosing between SAMD21 and SAMD51 depends on the performance requirements of your project; SAMD21 offers a Cortex-M0+ core with up to 48 MHz clock speed, ideal for low-power applications, while SAMD51 features a Cortex-M4F core running up to 120 MHz, delivering higher computational power and DSP capabilities. Your selection should consider factors like processing speed, power consumption, and peripheral support; SAMD51 is better suited for complex algorithms, real-time audio processing, and advanced motor control. Evaluate your application's demands to determine whether the efficiency of SAMD21 or the robust performance of SAMD51 aligns best with your development goals.
samd21 vs samd51 Infographic
