Feather M4 Express - ATSAMD51 Cortex M4-CircuitPython

Feather M4 Express - ATSAMD51 Cortex M4 & 2 MB External Flash

The Feather M4 is one of the most powerful board of the Feather Serie. The Feather M4 Express is based on the ATSAMD51 and brings additionnal Flash memory.

The ATSAMD51J19 chip running at 120MHz Cortex M4 with floating point support, 512KB of internal Flash and 192KB RAM. The microcontroler also support many peripherals.

As any Feather, you can can use it with the Feather EcoSystem and FeatherWing, a great way to quickly get up and running.

As many Adafruit's products, the Feather M4 can be programmed with Arduino IDE and can also be used with under CircuitPython (default programming environment). CircuitPython is a customized version of MicroPython developped by Damien Georges. Under CircuitPython, the boards appears as small disk drive where you can drop your python scripts. With CircuitPython / MicroPython, you can code your script with your favorites text editor to create your project using Python... the most popular programming language.

Thanks to CircuitPython, no need to install IDE or specific software on your computer. You just need to be able to read an USB Flash disk and edit code with basic editor. When you're done, unplug the board and your code will go with you.

The Feather M4 Express includes a Mini NeoPixel, 2 MB SPI Flash storage and a small prototyping aread (on the remaining place available on the board). The SPI Flash storage can be used as a very tiny hard drive.

• Under CircuitPython: the 2 MB flash acts as file storage for the Python scripts (libraries and binary data).
• Under Arduino: your code can read and writes files to the Flash (thank to dedicated library). Later, the Adafruit's helper programs will help to access the files over USB.

Easy to program

The Feather M4 is preloaded with UF2 bootloader. UF2 does expose the board as a USB Flash disk. Simply drag firmware file on this USB disk to program it. So no need for special tools or drivers.

The UF2 can be used for load your Arduino IDE software or reload back the CircuitPython (if you did override it with some Arduino code)

Technical details

• ATSAMD51: 32-bit Cortex M4 @ 120 MHz, 32-bits
• Floating point support with Cortex M4 DSP instructions
• 3.3V logic and power
• Regulator 3.3V @ 500mA peak
• 512 KB FLASH
• 192 KB RAM
• 2 MB SPI FLASH: files storage -OR- CircuitPython code storage.
• No EEPROM available
• RTC : 32.768 KHz crystal
• USB native support for programming and debugging.
• UF2 USB bootloader
• Crypto engines with AES (256 bit), true RNG, Pubkey controller
• 21x GPIO pins:
  
  • 12 bit true analog DAC (A0 and A1): 1 MSPS (Mega Sample per Second).
    Can be used to play 12-bit stereo audio clips
  • 12 bit ADC1 and ADC2 : 1 MSPS.
    This offers 6 analog pins... some on ADC1 and some on ADC2.
  • 6x hardware SERCOM - Native hardware SPI, I2C and Serial all available
  • 16x PWM outputs: control servos, LEDs, etc
  • I2S input and output
  • 8-bit Parallel capture controller (for camera/video in)
• Lipo Charger: 100mA lipoly charger. With status LED indicator
• User LED on Pin #13
• Power/enable pin
• Reset button
• Size: 50.8mm x 22.8mm x 7mm (without headers soldered)
• Weight : 5 grams

Content

For each order, you will receive a Feather M4 express completely assembled and tested.
Adafruit includes some pin header so you can solder them and plug you feather on a board.

Lipo battery, cable, breadboard are not included but you can easily find them on our shop.