The kit enables users the ability to evaluate features and system performance of the XMEGA at a minimum hardware cost, powered through a mini USB connector where end-users can develop their own applications.

The 8-/16-bit XMEGA microcontrollers are optimized for ultra- low power and high system. The ATxmega128A1 onboard device is a 100-pin, general purpose microcontroller with 128 KB of in-system programmable flash memory and an 8 KB boot section in flash that can also be used as additional application memory.

The kit contains a speaker with an audio amplifier, a potentiometer and temperature sensor, which are all connected to the 12-bit DAC or ADC on the ATxmega128A1 device. The external memories include an 8 MB SDRAM and an 8 MB serial data Flash, and eight buttons and eight LEDs for basic user interface and application interaction are also available.

Spare digital and analog pins on the ATxmega128A1 are available through pin-headers for external analog input and output, digital input and output, PWM, input capture, and USART, SPI and I2C-compatible TWI communication.

The Xplain kit is shipped with basic code programmed into the ATxmega128A1 to demonstrate the use of buttons, LEDs and the speaker on the kit. Documentation includes a user guide, schematics and a full bill of materials available at www.atmel.com/Xplain.

Additional code examples, good design practices recommendations and general hints and tips are available as application notes at http://www.atmel.com/AVR.