Microchip Solutions and Amazon Web Services Help You to Customize Your Cloud-Connected Embedded Systems

Collaboration for Cloud-Connected Systems

Cloud-connected systems are becoming increasingly important across a wide range of industries. To enable the creation of smart and connected designs that require enhanced security, we've expanded our collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to support cloud-connected embedded systems all the way from the node to the cloud. With solutions that now are compatible with FreeRTOS, AWS Greengrass and AWS Internet of Things (IoT), we provide all the components, tools, software and support you need to rapidly develop secure cloud-connected systems. FreeRTOS is an Operating System (OS) that makes compact, low-powered edge devices easy to program, deploy, secure and maintain.

AWS-Supported Microcontrollers (MCUs)

Our Arm® Cortex®-M-based SAM E5x and SAME70 MCUs, in addition to our PIC32MZ EF series of MCUs, now include support for FreeRTOS. These high-performance MCUs incorporate industry-leading connectivity options, ample flash memory, rich peripherals and a robust toolchain that empower embedded designers to rapidly build complex applications. FreeRTOS includes software libraries that make it easy to securely deploy over-the-air updates. They also enable you to connect devices locally to AWS Greengrass or directly to the cloud, providing a variety of data processing location options.

For systems requiring data collection and analysis at a local level, you can use one of our SAMA5D2 series of microprocessors (MPUs) with integrated AWS Greengrass software. This solution will enable systems to securely run local compute, messaging, data caching and sync capabilities for connected devices. It provides improved event response, conserves bandwidth and enables more cost-effective cloud computing. The SAMA5D2 devices, also available in System-in-Package (SiP) variants, offer full Amazon Greengrass compatibility in a low-power, small-form-factor MPU targeted at industrial and long-life gateway and concentrator applications. The integrated security features and extended temperature range allow these MPUs to be deployed in physically insecure and harsh environments.

Security and ease of use are vital to any cloud-connected design. Our ATECC608 TrustFLEX CryptoAuthentication™ device enables enhanced system security and easy-to-use registration.

ATECC608 TrustFLEX CryptoAuthentication Device

SAME54 Xplained Pro Evaluation Kit

This secure element provides a unique, trusted and protected identity to each device that can be securely authenticated to protect a brand’s intellectual property and revenue. In addition to enhancing system security, the ATECC608 TrustFLEX allows AWS customers to instantly implement secure mutual authentication to connect to the cloud leveraging Just-in-Time-Registration (JITR) powered by AWS IoT and our secure key provisioning service. Watch our video about the capabilities of the ATECC608 secure element.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to developing cloud connected systems. Our support for multiple AWS services with a variety of our products gives you the flexibility to choose the parts and platforms that best meet your system needs. You can take advantage of our extensive toolchain for rapid and reliable development of your connected design.

Development Tools

Jumpstart your development of FreeRTOS-based designs with the PIC32MZ EF Curiosity Development Board. This fully integrated 32-bit development platform also includes two mikroBUS™ expansion sockets so you can easily add more functionality to your design, such as Wi-Fi® connectivity, using the WINC1510-based WiFi 7 click from MikroElektronika. Few of the other development boards that support AWS connectivity with FreeRTOS include SAME54 Xplained Pro Evaluation Kit and SAME70 Xplained Ultra Evaluation Kit. You can use the SAMA5D2 Xplained Ultra (SAMA5D2C-XULT), a fast prototyping and evaluation platform for the SAMA5D2 series of MPUs, with AWS Greengrass designs. The Trust Platform Development kit (DM320118) will get you started for rapid prototyping of secure solutions on AWS IoT and secure elements.

Article and pictures are from Microchip-Shridhar Channagiri, Xavier Bignalet