MCU program gives designers free software, samples

Energy Micro AS has introduced a program to provide designers with access to free samples of EFM32 Gecko series MCUs. The program, which targets designers who want to test the company's latest MCU technology, includes the Simplicity Studio developers' suite and free samples that are shipped for free with a lead time of just a few days.

Energy Micro's processors are aimed at energy sensitive applications such as smart metering, building automation, security systems, portable health and fitness equipment and smart accessories. Devices in the EFM32 Gecko range consume as little as 150?A/MHz in active mode and feature numerous energy-efficient peripherals, including an on-chip LCD controller, USB interface and a low power yet autonomous sensor monitoring system named LESENSE. The low energy LESENSE interface can be used even in deep sleep modes, requiring as little as 1?A to enable intelligent and conditional wake up of the MCU.

The EFM32 series is the industry's most comprehensive range of low-energy MCUs based on the ARM Cortex-M series of processors, consisting of more than 240 variants. The sampling program initially encompasses members of the Gecko, Tiny Gecko, Leopard Gecko and Giant Gecko families, based on the Cortex-M3 processor.