SparkFun Edge Development Board - Apollo3 Blue

Overview

The SparkFun Edge is a development board featuring the Ambiq Micro Apollo3 Blue MCU, designed specifically for running machine learning models locally on the edge. It utilizes Ambiq's Subthreshold Power Optimized Technology (SPOT) to provide high-performance 48MHz (96MHz turbo) processing while consuming less than 1mA in active mode.

Why Choose This Part

The board stands out for its extreme energy efficiency, operating at sub-milliamp levels while maintaining enough RAM (384KB) and Flash (1MB) for complex local processing. It provides a familiar Arduino Uno R3 footprint for easy prototyping and includes high-quality peripherals like 10 ADC channels and 6 I2C buses.

Applications

Getting Started

Engineers can program the board using the Arduino IDE with the Apollo3 core or through the Ambiq SDK for advanced power management. Connection is handled via USB-C, and the board features JTAG headers for professional debugging of Bluetooth and machine learning applications.

Also Consider

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Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 Sense Seeed Studio - An ultra-compact alternative with an integrated IMU and microphone, focusing on Bluetooth 5.0 and low-power edge AI.

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