Tailored for industrial and consumer use,wireless SOM Reference Design offers a compact, pre-certified module for adding Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, secure connectivity, and efficient power management to embedded applications.
The SAMA5D27 Wireless System-on-Module (WLSOM1) is a highly integrated reference design by Microchip Technology tailored for consumer and industrial applications, particularly within the realms of IoT, wireless networking, power conversion, and embedded software. Built around a high-performance 32-bit Arm Cortex-A5 processor-based MPU, this compact 40.8 x 40.8 mm module is optimized for space-sensitive and performance-driven designs. It features a 2Gbit LPDDR2 system-in-package, running up to 500 MHz, that delivers both processing capability and memory integration for advanced embedded applications. The inclusion of the ATWILC3000 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module allows developers to seamlessly add wireless connectivity to new or existing designs, helping to overcome one of the most common challenges in modern embedded systems—wireless certification and integration.
This ready-to-use SOM helps reduce design complexity and accelerates time-to-market by providing a tested set of Microchip components. Its modular approach eases hardware design efforts and simplifies software development with included bare-metal C code and a free Linux distribution. Engineers benefit from reduced PCB design constraints and manufacturing costs since the module is optimized for a simpler layout and offers manual soldering capability for prototyping due to its 0.8 mm pitch.
At the heart of the module is the MCP16502 Power Management IC, specifically designed to support Microchip MPUs like the SAMA5D2, SAM9X6, and SAM7G series. It provides the necessary power rails efficiently, further minimizing the need for additional power circuitry. For secure connectivity, the pre-provisioned ATECC608B Secure Element (Trust&Go) offers network and accessory authentication capabilities, addressing critical security requirements in today’s connected environments.
Additional integrated components include 256 MByte of LPDDR2 SDRAM, 64Mb Serial Quad I/O Flash Memory with embedded EUI-48 MAC addresses, and the KSZ8081 10Base-T/100Base-TX Ethernet PHY. The KSZ8081 enables reliable wired networking over standard CAT-5 UTP cables, enhancing design flexibility for hybrid wired/wireless solutions.
With its regulatory-certified RF components and compatibility with Linux via SPI, SDIO, or UART interfaces, the WLSOM1 module addresses key design challenges such as the build-versus-buy dilemma, time-consuming certification processes, and wireless retrofitting for legacy systems. It is an ideal solution for developers aiming to create scalable, secure, and wireless-enabled products without investing excessive effort into component selection, integration, and compliance.
Microchip Technology has tested this reference design. It comes with a bill of materials (BOM), schematics, assembly drawing, printed circuit board (PCB) layout, and more. The company’s website has additional data about the reference design. To read more about this reference design, click here.
