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SAM9X60 Curiosity Development Board

Last modified by Microchip on 2026/08/27 13:21

In this training, we introduce the SAM9X60 Curiosity Development Board. The SAM9X60 Curiosity is designed for evaluating and prototyping with the high-performance, ultra-low power SAM9X60 ARM926EJ-S based microprocessor (MPU) running up to 600 MHz, which can be used to develop embedded Linux® or Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) applications.

SAM9X60 Curiosity Development Board

Comparison

To compare the SAM9X60 Curiosity with the SAM9x60-EK Evaluation Kit, see the "SAM9X60 Curiosity Development Board - Comparison" page.

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What Can I Do With the SAM9X60 Curiosity?

The SAM9X60 Curiosity is designed for evaluating and prototyping with the high-performance, ultra-low power SAM9X60 ARM926EJ-S based microprocessor (MPU) running up to 600 MHz. You can use it to develop embedded Linux or RTOS applications.

For information on Microchip's MPU offerings, visit the MPUs product page.

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What is the SAM9X60 Curiosity?

The SAM9X60 Curiosity is a multi-function demonstration and development platform featuring:

  • SAM9X60D1G MPU
  • Mass storage
  • Communications
  • Debugging
  • User interface
  • Expansion
  • Power options

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How Do I Get Started?

Start by reviewing the "SAM9X60 Curiosity Development Board - Features" page and then jump to the "SAM9X60 Curiosity Development Board - Booting Demo Linux Image" page.

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Where Can I Get Demo Images?

Demonstration images for the SAM9X60 Curiosity are available on the Linux4SAM website. Images are available from the following build automation systems:

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How Do I Write Images?

Demonstration images can be flashed onto a microSD™ memory card (of size 1 GB or higher) using balenaEtcher, a cross-platform utility program for writing image files onto storage media.

Alternatively, you can write an image to the onboard NAND Flash memory. This is done using the SAM-BA® In-System Programmer (ISP) utility.

For more information on writing demonstration Linux images, see the "SAM9X60 Curiosity Development Board - Booting Demo Linux Image" page.

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How Do I Develop?

There are two popular development methods:

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Where Can I Get Source Code?

Source code for SAM9X60 Curiosity is available in the Linux4SAM GitHub repository.

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How Do I Debug?

JTAG

A JTAG interface to the SAM9X60 Curiosity is provided by the 20-pin connector J12 (not populated). This facilitates software development and debugging by connecting an external JTAG debugger such as the J-32 Debug Probe or Segger J-Link BASE Debug Probe.

Console Serial Port

A console serial port is available using the Debug Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART) port. The SAM9X60 features a dedicated serial UART port (J11) (3.3 VDC TTL level) for communicating with the target console where you can:

  • View the kernel log
  • Query processes
  • Get information on various internal features of the system

See the "SAM9X60 Curiosity Development Board - Console Serial Communications" page for more information about the Linux console.

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Is There Any Additional Information?

Additional information can be found on the SAM9X60 Curiosity product page. There you can find the:

  • User’s guide
  • Design files
  • Manufacturing files
  • Links to component data sheets

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Where Can I Order One?

You can purchase a SAM9X60 Curiosity (Part Number: EV40E67A) from the Microchip Purchasing and Client Services page or your favorite Microchip distributor.

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What Is Included in the Box?

Contents of the box are:

  • The SAM9X60 Curiosity Development Board
  • USB Type-A to USB Micro-B cable

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What Do I Need To Supply?

For booting demo Linux images, you will need to supply:

  • Personal computer (Windows®, macOS®, Linux) running a terminal program
  • USB-to-Serial 3.3 VDC TTL Level adapter with a 6-pin single-in-line 0.1” pitch connector
  • SD memory card (1 GB or larger)

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What's Next?

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