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SAMA7D65 Curiosity Development Board – Introduction

Last modified by Microchip on 2025/08/14 13:44

Introduction

This training introduces the SAMA7D65-Curiosity Development Board (P/N: EA89C15A). 

Photo of the SAMA5D29-Curiosity Development Board

What can I do with the SAMA7D65-Curiosity?

The SAMA7D65-Curiosity is designed for evaluating and prototyping with the high-performance SAMA7D65 Arm® Cortex®-A7 CPU embedded microprocessor (MPU) running up to 1 GHz. You can use it to develop embedded Linux® or Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) applications.

Visit Microchip's "32-bit Microprocessor (MPUs)" page for information on our MPU offerings. 

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What is the SAMA7D65-Curiosity?

The SAMA7D65-Curiosity Development Board is a multi-function demonstration and development platform featuring: 

  • SAMA7D65 MPU 
  • Mass Storage 
  • Communications 
  • Debugging 
  • User Interface 
  • Expansion 
  • Power Options 

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How do I get started?

Start by familiarizing yourself with the "SAMA7D65-Curiosity - Features" page and then jump to the "SAMA7D65-Curiosity – Booting Demo Linux Image" page. 

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Where can I get demo images?

Demonstration images for the SAMA7D65-Curiosity are available on the Linux4SAM website. Images are available from two 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 the balenaEtcher utility program. BalenaEtcher is a cross-platform utility program used for writing image files onto storage media.  

For more information on writing demonstration Linux images, see the "SAMA7D65-Curiosity - Booting Demo Linux Image" page.

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How Do I Develop?

There are two popular methods for MPU development, with Embedded Linux or MPLAB Harmony v3 Software Framework. 

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Where can I get the source code?

The source code is available through the Linux4SAM GitHub repository. 

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How do I debug?

JTAG

A JTAG/ICE (In-Circuit Emulator) interface to the SAMA7D65-Curiosity is provided by a 20-pin connector (J38). This facilitates software development and debugging by connecting an external JTAG debugger such as the PICkit™ 5 In-Circuit Debugger. 

Console Serial Port

A console serial port is available using the Serial Debug port. The SAMA7D65-Curiosity features a dedicated serial UART port (J35) (3.3 or 5.0 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 "SAMA7D65-Curiosity – Console Serial Communications" page for more information about the Linux console. 

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Where can I get additional information?

Additional information can be found on the SAMA7D65-Curiosity product webpage. There you can find: 

  • User’s Guide 
  • Design Files 
  • Manufacturing Files 
  • Links to component datasheets 

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Where can I order one?

You can purchase a SAMA7D65-Curiosty (Part Number: EA89C15A) at Microchip Purchasing & Client Services or your favorite Microchip distributor. 

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What is included in the box?

Contents of the box are: 

  • The SAMA7D65-Curiosity Development Board 
  • USB-A to USB Type-C 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 or 5.0 VDC TTL Level adapter with a 6-pin single-in-line 0.1” pitch connector 
  • microSD memory card (1 GB or larger) 

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Learn More

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