View source for AT91CAP

{{More citations needed|date=August 2007}}
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:AT91CAP9DevBoardPerspective.jpg|450px|thumb|AT91CAP Emulation Board]] -->
'''AT91CAP''' ('''AT91CAP Customizable Atmel Microcontrollers''') is a family of [[Atmel]] [[microcontroller]]s based on the [[32-bit]] [[reduced instruction set computer|RISC]] microprocessors from [[ARM architecture|ARM]]. They include a block of metal-programmable [[logic gate]]s (MP Block) that can be personalized by the application developer. The MP Block can contain one or more additional [[Central processing unit|processor]] cores, additional [[peripheral]]s or [[Interface (computer science)|interfaces]], or application-specific logic such as a [[Global Positioning System|GPS]] correlator.

CAP products feature embedded [[static random access memory|SRAM]] and [[read-only memory|ROM]] [[memories]] and an external bus for additional memories including [[flash memory]], together with a number of [[peripherals]] and standard communications and [[computer networking|networking]] [[computer bus|interface]]s. This qualifies them as [[system-on-a-chip]] devices.

External interfaces include [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]], [[controller-area network|CAN]], [[Ethernet]], [[Serial Peripheral Interface Bus|SPI]], [[USART]] and [[analog-to-digital converter|ADC]]. A [[direct memory access|DMA]] controller provides direct communication channels between external interfaces and memories, increasing [[data]] throughput with minimal processor intervention.

Peripherals include counter/timers, [[power-on reset]] generators, [[voltage regulator]]s and advanced [[interrupt controller]]. This enhances the [[Real-time computing|real time]] performance of the processor. A [[power management]] controller keeps power consumption to a minimum by powering down unused peripherals and interfaces, and enabling the processor to be put in standby mode.

The AT91CAP comes in both [[ARM7TDMI|ARM7]] and [[ARM9E|ARM9]] versions.

The CAP design flow emphasizes parallel [[computer hardware|hardware]]/[[computer software|software]] development. An [[field-programmable gate array|FPGA]]-based [[emulator|emulation]] board enables the hardware and software of the application under development to be thoroughly tested at close to full operational speed in order to validate the functionality of the device.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.atmel.com/products/AT91CAP/ Atmel's AT91CAP product page]

{{ARM-based chips}}

[[Category:Microcontrollers]]