This is a programmable security environment that provides hardware isolation between certified libraries, IP and application code. 

SAM L11 MCUs also have chip-level tamper resistance, secure boot and secure key storage. The aim is to protect IoT designs from both remote and physical attacks.

Designed for low power, the SAM L11 also has security features such as an on-board cryptographic module supporting Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Galois Counter Mode (GCM) and Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA). 

The secure boot and secure key storage with tamper detection capabilities establish a hardware root of trust. It also offers secure bootloader for secure firmware upgrades.

Microchip has partnered with Trustonic (founded by ARM and Gemalto) to offer a security framework to simplifies the implementation of security, and Secure Thingz and Data I/O to secure provisioning services – programming in encryption keys before delivery, for example.

As well as the chip detecting tampering within itself, it has four input pins through which it can be alerted by external tamper-detection hardware.

For applications with lower security needs, the firm has introduced the simpler SAM L10 – which scores 405 on EEMBC’s ULPMark, according to Microchip.

Away from security, both L11 and L10 have a peripheral to implements touch control, enhanced from the firm’s earlier offerings to handle wet touch screens.

Development support includes:

• SAM L11 Xplained Pro evaluation kit (DM320205)
• SAM L10 Xplained Pro evaluation kit (DM320204)
• Atmel Studio 7 IDE,
• IAR Embedded Workbench
• Keil MDK
• Atmel Start on-line configuration tool (which supports TrustZone)
• QTouch modular library
• 2D touch surface library
• QTouch configurator

L11 and L10 devices are available now.