New x86-based Intel Quark microcontroller and developer kit

Mouser Electronics, Inc. announced the availability of the new Intel® Quark™ microcontroller, designed for Internet of Things (IoT) architectures and applications. The device is a low-power, battery-operated, 32-bit microcontroller with a more robust instruction set than many others. The device’s technology extends intelligent computing to a new spectrum of data actuation applications and microcontrollers that require lower power consumption. The developer kit was announced at Embedded World 2016 and now available to order. It is designed to help IoT developers navigate the complexities of IoT systems and speed time-to-market for new products and services. The device is optimized for applications that require long battery life, such as wearable sensors and RFID tags. The 32MHz, ultra-low power, 32-bit microcontroller contains 32kBytes of flash and 8kBytes of SRAM and boasts 25 general-purpose inputs and outputs (GPIOs). Its 19 analog comparators and 19 channels for analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) make it easy to connect to transducers and radio frequency (RF) front ends. The serial peripheral interfaces allow for seamless connection with popular sensors, radios, memories, digital signal processors (DSPs), and application processors. The device features two PWM channels, an extended operating temperature range (-40degC to +85degC), an operating range of 2-3.3VDC, and comes with a full Intel x86 instruction set architecture for compatibility and scalability. The microcontroller brings intelligence to the edge for real-world applications. It is interoperable with other Intel-based systems—simplifying integration of edge products in end-to-end IoT architectures. More can be handled at the device level, reducing the need for more costly and potentially unnecessary gateways, depending on the application. It is ideal for smart tags and readers, sensor and device controllers, display controllers, and motor controllers.