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adafruit / circuitpython

CircuitPython - a Python implementation for teaching coding with microcontrollers
https://circuitpython.org
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Add Microchip SAM4 support #6921

Closed skerr92 closed 1 year ago

skerr92 commented 1 year ago

I am adding this issue as a way to track and formalize an effort I plan to take to bring circuitpython support to the Microchip SAM4. The SAM4 is a great candidate for CircuitPython as it has lots of RAM, FLASH, Native USB, and plenty of functionality.

I do imagine that some of the modules from the ATMEL-SAMD port can be used. With this new support, I would suggest a change to the port/atmel-samd directory to be port/atmel-sam but this can be taken care of later.

Some questions I have before starting this effort:

  1. Has this been considered before, if so is there a working example of CircuitPython running on the SAM4?
  2. Does anyone have any SAM4 boards/would like SAM4 boards to help with development for this? I am designing a feather around the chip and hope to have a prototype ready before the end of the year.
dhalbert commented 1 year ago

We haven't considered the SAM4 line strongly because the maximum RAM is 128kB, and we had more capable chips in the pipeline when this might have come up. Which chip are you targeting?

skerr92 commented 1 year ago

I know 128kB is a bit low on the RAM side, I am targeting this variant: https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/ATSAM4S16BA-MUR/3593650

there are some things that probably are not necessarily a priority to have in its core which would probably help make it fit.

skerr92 commented 1 year ago

There is also this variant that has 160kB of Ram which would probably be easier to squeeze. https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/ATSAM4SA16BB-ANR/7645073

skerr92 commented 1 year ago

Given that there is no support for SAM4S in ASF4 at all, I'm going to close this since support efforts would be greater than the overall benefit.