diff --git a/atmel-samd/Makefile b/atmel-samd/Makefile
index ffc75859a6..025207fdc9 100644
--- a/atmel-samd/Makefile
+++ b/atmel-samd/Makefile
@@ -161,6 +161,7 @@ SRC_C = \
 	mphalport.c \
 	pin_named_pins.c \
 	samdneopixel.c \
+	tick.c \
 	$(FLASH_IMPL) \
 	asf/common/services/sleepmgr/samd/sleepmgr.c \
 	asf/common/services/storage/ctrl_access/ctrl_access.c  \
diff --git a/atmel-samd/autoreset.c b/atmel-samd/autoreset.c
index ef7ca62a58..047e59259e 100644
--- a/atmel-samd/autoreset.c
+++ b/atmel-samd/autoreset.c
@@ -27,46 +27,28 @@
 #include "autoreset.h"
 
 #include "asf/sam0/drivers/tc/tc_interrupt.h"
-#include "lib/mp-readline/readline.h"
 #include "py/mphal.h"
 
-struct tc_module autoreset_timer;
-
-static bool autoreset_initialized = false;
-
-static bool autoreset_enabled = false;
-
-extern void inject_character(char);
 void mp_keyboard_interrupt(void);
 
-void autoreset_callback(struct tc_module *const module_inst) {
-    if (autoreset_enabled) {
-        mp_keyboard_interrupt();
-        inject_character(CHAR_CTRL_D);
-    }
+volatile uint32_t autoreset_delay_ms = 0;
+bool autoreset_enabled = false;
+volatile bool reset_next_character = false;
 
-    tc_stop_counter(&autoreset_timer);
-}
-
-void autoreset_init() {
-    #ifdef AUTORESET_TIMER
-        struct tc_config config_tc;
-        tc_get_config_defaults(&config_tc);
-        config_tc.counter_size    = TC_COUNTER_SIZE_16BIT;
-    	config_tc.clock_prescaler = TC_CLOCK_PRESCALER_DIV256;
-        config_tc.counter_16_bit.compare_capture_channel[0] = 0xFFFF;
-        tc_init(&autoreset_timer, AUTORESET_TIMER, &config_tc);
-        tc_enable(&autoreset_timer);
-        tc_register_callback(&autoreset_timer, autoreset_callback, TC_CALLBACK_CC_CHANNEL0);
-        tc_enable_callback(&autoreset_timer, TC_CALLBACK_CC_CHANNEL0);
-        tc_stop_counter(&autoreset_timer);
-
-        autoreset_initialized = true;
-    #endif
+inline void autoreset_tick() {
+  if (autoreset_delay_ms == 0) {
+      return;
+  }
+  if (autoreset_delay_ms == 1 && autoreset_enabled && !reset_next_character) {
+      mp_keyboard_interrupt();
+      reset_next_character = true;
+  }
+  autoreset_delay_ms--;
 }
 
 void autoreset_enable() {
     autoreset_enabled = true;
+    reset_next_character = false;
 }
 
 void autoreset_disable() {
@@ -74,14 +56,9 @@ void autoreset_disable() {
 }
 
 void autoreset_start() {
-    if (!autoreset_initialized) return;
-
-    tc_stop_counter(&autoreset_timer);
-    tc_start_counter(&autoreset_timer);
+    autoreset_delay_ms = AUTORESET_DELAY_MS;
 }
 
 void autoreset_stop() {
-    if (!autoreset_initialized) return;
-
-    tc_stop_counter(&autoreset_timer);
+    autoreset_delay_ms = 0;
 }
diff --git a/atmel-samd/autoreset.h b/atmel-samd/autoreset.h
index da9803fdef..51b8285e70 100644
--- a/atmel-samd/autoreset.h
+++ b/atmel-samd/autoreset.h
@@ -27,10 +27,12 @@
 #ifndef __MICROPY_INCLUDED_ATMEL_SAMD_AUTORESET_H__
 #define __MICROPY_INCLUDED_ATMEL_SAMD_AUTORESET_H__
 
-#include "asf/sam0/drivers/tc/tc.h"
+#include <stdbool.h>
+
+extern volatile bool reset_next_character;
+
+void autoreset_tick();
 
-void autoreset_callback(struct tc_module *const module_inst);
-void autoreset_init();
 void autoreset_start();
 void autoreset_stop();
 void autoreset_enable();
diff --git a/atmel-samd/boards/arduino_zero/mpconfigboard.h b/atmel-samd/boards/arduino_zero/mpconfigboard.h
index 34a22c81ae..5b1c23d652 100644
--- a/atmel-samd/boards/arduino_zero/mpconfigboard.h
+++ b/atmel-samd/boards/arduino_zero/mpconfigboard.h
@@ -7,4 +7,6 @@
 #define MICROPY_HW_LED_TX   PIN_PA27
 #define MICROPY_HW_LED_RX   PIN_PB03
 
-#define AUTORESET_TIMER     TC5
+#define MICROPY_HW_NEOPIXEL PIN_PB22
+
+#define AUTORESET_DELAY_MS 10
diff --git a/atmel-samd/boards/feather_m0_adalogger/mpconfigboard.h b/atmel-samd/boards/feather_m0_adalogger/mpconfigboard.h
index 8af47af1e6..f30c02be8f 100644
--- a/atmel-samd/boards/feather_m0_adalogger/mpconfigboard.h
+++ b/atmel-samd/boards/feather_m0_adalogger/mpconfigboard.h
@@ -6,4 +6,4 @@
 #define MICROPY_HW_BOARD_NAME "Adafruit Feather M0 Adalogger"
 #define MICROPY_HW_MCU_NAME "samd21g18"
 
-#define AUTORESET_TIMER     TC5
+#define AUTORESET_DELAY_MS 10
diff --git a/atmel-samd/boards/feather_m0_basic/mpconfigboard.h b/atmel-samd/boards/feather_m0_basic/mpconfigboard.h
index 29027c0b8f..4f884e3641 100644
--- a/atmel-samd/boards/feather_m0_basic/mpconfigboard.h
+++ b/atmel-samd/boards/feather_m0_basic/mpconfigboard.h
@@ -6,4 +6,4 @@
 #define MICROPY_HW_BOARD_NAME "Adafruit Feather M0 Basic"
 #define MICROPY_HW_MCU_NAME "samd21g18"
 
-#define AUTORESET_TIMER     TC5
+#define AUTORESET_DELAY_MS 10
diff --git a/atmel-samd/boards/metro_m0_flash/mpconfigboard.h b/atmel-samd/boards/metro_m0_flash/mpconfigboard.h
index 3cbd0a641e..50cbb271f7 100644
--- a/atmel-samd/boards/metro_m0_flash/mpconfigboard.h
+++ b/atmel-samd/boards/metro_m0_flash/mpconfigboard.h
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 #define MICROPY_HW_LED_TX   PIN_PA27
 #define MICROPY_HW_LED_RX   PIN_PB03
 
+#define MICROPY_HW_NEOPIXEL PIN_PA30
+
 #define SPI_FLASH_BAUDRATE  (1000000)
 
 // Off-board flash
@@ -30,4 +32,4 @@
 #define SPI_FLASH_CS          PIN_PA13
 #define SPI_FLASH_SERCOM      SERCOM4
 
-#define AUTORESET_TIMER     TC5
+#define AUTORESET_DELAY_MS 500
diff --git a/atmel-samd/internal_flash.c b/atmel-samd/internal_flash.c
index 1bbbd23e8f..9bf4682eb4 100644
--- a/atmel-samd/internal_flash.c
+++ b/atmel-samd/internal_flash.c
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
  * OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN
  * THE SOFTWARE.
  */
+#include "internal_flash.h"
 
 #include <stdint.h>
 #include <string.h>
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@
 #include "asf/sam0/drivers/nvm/nvm.h"
 #include "asf/sam0/drivers/port/port.h"
 
-#include "internal_flash.h"
+#include "samdneopixel.h"
 
 #define TOTAL_INTERNAL_FLASH_SIZE 0x010000
 
@@ -173,6 +174,9 @@ bool internal_flash_write_block(const uint8_t *src, uint32_t block) {
         #ifdef MICROPY_HW_LED_MSC
             port_pin_set_output_level(MICROPY_HW_LED_MSC, true);
         #endif
+        #ifdef MICROPY_HW_NEOPIXEL
+            temp_status_color(0x8f, 0x00, 0x00);
+        #endif
         // non-MBR block, copy to cache
         volatile uint32_t dest = convert_block_to_flash_addr(block);
         if (dest == -1) {
@@ -210,6 +214,9 @@ bool internal_flash_write_block(const uint8_t *src, uint32_t block) {
               return false;
           }
         }
+        #ifdef MICROPY_HW_NEOPIXEL
+            clear_temp_status();
+        #endif
         #ifdef MICROPY_HW_LED_MSC
             port_pin_set_output_level(MICROPY_HW_LED_MSC, false);
         #endif
diff --git a/atmel-samd/internal_flash.h b/atmel-samd/internal_flash.h
index 38886c9304..d59f7b38a4 100644
--- a/atmel-samd/internal_flash.h
+++ b/atmel-samd/internal_flash.h
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@
 #ifndef __MICROPY_INCLUDED_ATMEL_SAMD_INTERNAL_FLASH_H__
 #define __MICROPY_INCLUDED_ATMEL_SAMD_INTERNAL_FLASH_H__
 
+#include <stdbool.h>
+
 #include "mpconfigport.h"
 
 #define INTERNAL_FLASH_BLOCK_SIZE (512)
diff --git a/atmel-samd/main.c b/atmel-samd/main.c
index 2a0dff8519..560e272877 100644
--- a/atmel-samd/main.c
+++ b/atmel-samd/main.c
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@
 #include "autoreset.h"
 #include "mpconfigboard.h"
 #include "modmachine_pin.h"
+#include "samdneopixel.h"
+#include "tick.h"
 
 fs_user_mount_t fs_user_mount_flash;
 
@@ -173,6 +175,7 @@ static char *stack_top;
 static char heap[16384];
 
 void reset_mp() {
+    new_status_color(0x8f, 0x00, 0x8f);
     autoreset_stop();
     autoreset_enable();
 
@@ -198,14 +201,20 @@ void reset_mp() {
 }
 
 void start_mp() {
-    #ifdef AUTORESET_TIMER
+    #ifdef AUTORESET_DELAY_MS
         mp_hal_stdout_tx_str("\r\n");
         mp_hal_stdout_tx_str("Auto-soft reset is on. Simply save files over USB to run them.\r\n");
         mp_hal_stdout_tx_str("Type anything into the REPL to disable and manually reset (CTRL-D) to re-enable.\r\n");
     #endif
 
+    new_status_color(0x00, 0x00, 0x8f);
     mp_hal_stdout_tx_str("boot.py output:\r\n");
-    pyexec_file("boot.py");
+    int ret = pyexec_file("boot.py");
+    if (ret & PYEXEC_FORCED_EXIT) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    new_status_color(0x00, 0x8f, 0x00);
     mp_hal_stdout_tx_str("\r\nmain.py output:\r\n");
     pyexec_file("main.py");
 }
@@ -230,10 +239,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
     // as current dir.
     init_flash_fs();
 
-    // Initialize the autoreset timer. It will automatically reset the repl
-    // after a burst of writes to the FS.
-    autoreset_init();
-
     // Start USB after getting everything going.
     #ifdef USB_REPL
         udc_start();
@@ -246,6 +251,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
     // The REPL mode can change, or it can request a soft reset.
     int exit_code = 0;
     for (;;) {
+        new_status_color(0x3f, 0x3f, 0x3f);
         if (pyexec_mode_kind == PYEXEC_MODE_RAW_REPL) {
             exit_code = pyexec_raw_repl();
         } else {
@@ -315,7 +321,9 @@ void MP_WEAK __assert_func(const char *file, int line, const char *func, const c
 
 #if MICROPY_MIN_USE_SAMD21_MCU
 
+#ifdef UART_REPL
 struct usart_module usart_instance;
+#endif
 
 #ifdef ENABLE_MICRO_TRACE_BUFFER
 // Stores 2 ^ TRACE_BUFFER_MAGNITUDE_PACKETS packets.
@@ -364,8 +372,8 @@ void samd21_init(void) {
 
     board_init();
 
-    // SysTick millisecond timer initialization.
-    SysTick_Config(system_cpu_clock_get_hz() / 1000);
+    // Configure millisecond timer initialization.
+    tick_init();
 
     // Uncomment to init PIN_PA17 for debugging.
     // struct port_config pin_conf;
@@ -374,6 +382,16 @@ void samd21_init(void) {
     // pin_conf.direction  = PORT_PIN_DIR_OUTPUT;
     // port_pin_set_config(MICROPY_HW_LED1, &pin_conf);
     // port_pin_set_output_level(MICROPY_HW_LED1, false);
+
+
+    #ifdef MICROPY_HW_NEOPIXEL
+        struct port_config pin_conf;
+        port_get_config_defaults(&pin_conf);
+
+        pin_conf.direction  = PORT_PIN_DIR_OUTPUT;
+        port_pin_set_config(MICROPY_HW_NEOPIXEL, &pin_conf);
+        port_pin_set_output_level(MICROPY_HW_NEOPIXEL, false);
+    #endif
 }
 
 #endif
diff --git a/atmel-samd/mphalport.c b/atmel-samd/mphalport.c
index a581e0986d..d442fe8a8c 100644
--- a/atmel-samd/mphalport.c
+++ b/atmel-samd/mphalport.c
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 #include "asf/common2/services/delay/delay.h"
 #include "asf/sam0/drivers/port/port.h"
 #include "asf/sam0/drivers/sercom/usart/usart.h"
+#include "lib/mp-readline/readline.h"
 #include "py/mphal.h"
 #include "py/mpstate.h"
 #include "py/smallint.h"
@@ -68,40 +69,6 @@ void usb_rts_notify(uint8_t port, bool set) {
     return;
 }
 
-void inject_character(char c) {
-    // Introduce a critical section to avoid buffer corruption. We use
-    // cpu_irq_save instead of cpu_irq_disable because we don't know the
-    // current state of IRQs. They may have been turned off already and
-    // we don't want to accidentally turn them back on.
-    irqflags_t flags = cpu_irq_save();
-    // If our buffer is full, then don't get another character otherwise
-    // we'll lose a previous character.
-    if (usb_rx_count >= USB_RX_BUF_SIZE) {
-        cpu_irq_restore(flags);
-        return;
-    }
-
-    uint8_t current_tail = usb_rx_buf_tail;
-    // Pretend we've received a character so that any nested calls to
-    // this function have to consider the spot we've reserved.
-    if ((USB_RX_BUF_SIZE - 1) == usb_rx_buf_tail) {
-        // Reached the end of buffer, revert back to beginning of
-        // buffer.
-        usb_rx_buf_tail = 0x00;
-    } else {
-        usb_rx_buf_tail++;
-    }
-    // The count of characters present in receive buffer is
-    // incremented.
-    usb_rx_count++;
-
-    // We put the next character where we expected regardless of whether
-    // the next character was already loaded in the buffer.
-    usb_rx_buf[current_tail] = c;
-
-    cpu_irq_restore(flags);
-}
-
 void usb_rx_notify(void)
 {
     irqflags_t flags;
@@ -191,6 +158,9 @@ int mp_hal_stdin_rx_chr(void) {
             udi_msc_process_trans();
         }
         #ifdef USB_REPL
+        if (reset_next_character) {
+            return CHAR_CTRL_D;
+        }
         if (usb_rx_count > 0) {
             #ifdef MICROPY_HW_LED_RX
             port_pin_toggle_output_level(MICROPY_HW_LED_RX);
@@ -277,18 +247,6 @@ void mp_hal_delay_us(mp_uint_t delay) {
     delay_us(delay);
 }
 
-// Global millisecond tick count (driven by SysTick interrupt handler).
-volatile uint32_t systick_ticks_ms = 0;
-
-void SysTick_Handler(void) {
-    // SysTick interrupt handler called when the SysTick timer reaches zero
-    // (every millisecond).
-    systick_ticks_ms += 1;
-    // Keep the counter within the range of 31 bit uint values since that's the
-    // max value for micropython 'small' ints.
-    systick_ticks_ms = systick_ticks_ms > (0xFFFFFFFF >> 1) ? 0 : systick_ticks_ms;
-}
-
 // Interrupt flags that will be saved and restored during disable/Enable
 // interrupt functions below.
 static irqflags_t irq_flags;
@@ -297,14 +255,10 @@ void mp_hal_disable_all_interrupts(void) {
   // Disable all interrupt sources for timing critical sections.
   // Disable ASF-based interrupts.
   irq_flags = cpu_irq_save();
-  // Disable SysTick interrupt.
-  SysTick->CTRL &= ~SysTick_CTRL_TICKINT_Msk;
 }
 
 void mp_hal_enable_all_interrupts(void) {
   // Enable all interrupt sources after timing critical sections.
-  // Restore SysTick interrupt.
-  SysTick->CTRL |= SysTick_CTRL_TICKINT_Msk;
   // Restore ASF-based interrupts.
   cpu_irq_restore(irq_flags);
 }
diff --git a/atmel-samd/mphalport.h b/atmel-samd/mphalport.h
index 0e8635f648..858d628134 100644
--- a/atmel-samd/mphalport.h
+++ b/atmel-samd/mphalport.h
@@ -32,10 +32,10 @@
 #define USB_RX_BUF_SIZE 128
 
 // Global millisecond tick count (driven by SysTick interrupt).
-extern volatile uint32_t systick_ticks_ms;
+extern volatile uint32_t ticks_ms;
 
 static inline mp_uint_t mp_hal_ticks_ms(void) {
-  return systick_ticks_ms;
+  return ticks_ms;
 }
 
 void mp_hal_set_interrupt_char(int c);
diff --git a/atmel-samd/samdneopixel.c b/atmel-samd/samdneopixel.c
index e271de0467..684188c1bb 100644
--- a/atmel-samd/samdneopixel.c
+++ b/atmel-samd/samdneopixel.c
@@ -5,6 +5,30 @@
 
 #include "samdneopixel.h"
 
+#ifdef MICROPY_HW_NEOPIXEL
+static uint8_t status_neopixel_color[3];
+#endif
+
+extern void new_status_color(uint8_t r, uint8_t g, uint8_t b) {
+    #ifdef MICROPY_HW_NEOPIXEL
+        status_neopixel_color[0] = g;
+        status_neopixel_color[1] = r;
+        status_neopixel_color[2] = b;
+        samd_neopixel_write(MICROPY_HW_NEOPIXEL, status_neopixel_color, 3, true);
+    #endif
+}
+extern void temp_status_color(uint8_t r, uint8_t g, uint8_t b) {
+    #ifdef MICROPY_HW_NEOPIXEL
+        uint8_t colors[3] = {g, r, b};
+        samd_neopixel_write(MICROPY_HW_NEOPIXEL, colors, 3, true);
+    #endif
+}
+extern void clear_temp_status() {
+    #ifdef MICROPY_HW_NEOPIXEL
+        samd_neopixel_write(MICROPY_HW_NEOPIXEL, status_neopixel_color, 3, true);
+    #endif
+}
+
 void samd_neopixel_write(uint32_t pin, uint8_t *pixels, uint32_t numBytes, bool is800KHz) {
   // This is adapted directly from the Adafruit NeoPixel library SAMD21G18A code:
   // https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_NeoPixel/blob/master/Adafruit_NeoPixel.cpp
@@ -82,8 +106,8 @@ void samd_neopixel_write(uint32_t pin, uint8_t *pixels, uint32_t numBytes, bool
   // Turn on interrupts after timing-sensitive code.
   mp_hal_enable_all_interrupts();
 
-  // 50ms delay to let pixels latch to the data that was just sent.
+  // 50us delay to let pixels latch to the data that was just sent.
   // This could be optimized to only occur before pixel writes when necessary,
   // like in the Arduino library.
-  delay_ms(50);
+  delay_us(50);
 }
diff --git a/atmel-samd/samdneopixel.h b/atmel-samd/samdneopixel.h
index 8448d45009..0ebc080485 100644
--- a/atmel-samd/samdneopixel.h
+++ b/atmel-samd/samdneopixel.h
@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@
 #include <stdint.h>
 #include <stdbool.h>
 
+extern void new_status_color(uint8_t r, uint8_t g, uint8_t b);
+extern void temp_status_color(uint8_t r, uint8_t g, uint8_t b);
+extern void clear_temp_status();
+
 void samd_neopixel_write(uint32_t pin, uint8_t *pixels, uint32_t numBytes, bool is800KHz);
 
 #endif
diff --git a/atmel-samd/spi_flash.c b/atmel-samd/spi_flash.c
index 26234b2806..6816757b40 100644
--- a/atmel-samd/spi_flash.c
+++ b/atmel-samd/spi_flash.c
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
  * OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN
  * THE SOFTWARE.
  */
+#include "spi_flash.h"
 
 #include <stdint.h>
 #include <string.h>
@@ -35,7 +36,7 @@
 #include "lib/fatfs/ff.h"
 #include "extmod/fsusermount.h"
 
-#include "spi_flash.h"
+#include "samdneopixel.h"
 
 #define SPI_FLASH_PART1_START_BLOCK (0x1)
 
@@ -383,6 +384,9 @@ static void spi_flash_flush_keep_cache(bool keep_cache) {
     #ifdef MICROPY_HW_LED_MSC
         port_pin_set_output_level(MICROPY_HW_LED_MSC, true);
     #endif
+    #ifdef MICROPY_HW_NEOPIXEL
+        temp_status_color(0x8f, 0x00, 0x00);
+    #endif
     // If we've cached to the flash itself flush from there.
     if (ram_cache == NULL) {
         flush_scratch_flash();
@@ -390,6 +394,9 @@ static void spi_flash_flush_keep_cache(bool keep_cache) {
         flush_ram_cache(keep_cache);
     }
     current_sector = NO_SECTOR_LOADED;
+    #ifdef MICROPY_HW_NEOPIXEL
+        clear_temp_status();
+    #endif
     #ifdef MICROPY_HW_LED_MSC
         port_pin_set_output_level(MICROPY_HW_LED_MSC, false);
     #endif
diff --git a/atmel-samd/spi_flash.h b/atmel-samd/spi_flash.h
index ec7e23ac5d..8688928b40 100644
--- a/atmel-samd/spi_flash.h
+++ b/atmel-samd/spi_flash.h
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@
 #ifndef __MICROPY_INCLUDED_ATMEL_SAMD_SPI_FLASH_H__
 #define __MICROPY_INCLUDED_ATMEL_SAMD_SPI_FLASH_H__
 
+#include <stdbool.h>
+
 #include "mpconfigport.h"
 
 // Erase sector size.
diff --git a/atmel-samd/tick.c b/atmel-samd/tick.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bcbfcc0599
--- /dev/null
+++ b/atmel-samd/tick.c
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+#include "autoreset.h"
+
+#include "tick.h"
+
+#include "asf/sam0/drivers/tc/tc_interrupt.h"
+
+// Global millisecond tick count
+volatile uint32_t ticks_ms = 0;
+
+static struct tc_module ms_timer;
+
+static void ms_tick(struct tc_module *const module_inst) {
+    // SysTick interrupt handler called when the SysTick timer reaches zero
+    // (every millisecond).
+    ticks_ms += 1;
+    // Keep the counter within the range of 31 bit uint values since that's the
+    // max value for micropython 'small' ints.
+    ticks_ms = ticks_ms > (0xFFFFFFFF >> 1) ? 0 : ticks_ms;
+
+    #ifdef AUTORESET_DELAY_MS
+        autoreset_tick();
+    #endif
+}
+
+void tick_init() {
+    struct tc_config config_tc;
+    tc_get_config_defaults(&config_tc);
+    config_tc.counter_size    = TC_COUNTER_SIZE_16BIT;
+    config_tc.clock_prescaler = TC_CLOCK_PRESCALER_DIV1;
+    tc_set_top_value(&ms_timer, system_cpu_clock_get_hz() / 1000);
+    tc_init(&ms_timer, TC5, &config_tc);
+    tc_enable(&ms_timer);
+    tc_register_callback(&ms_timer, ms_tick, TC_CALLBACK_OVERFLOW);
+    tc_enable_callback(&ms_timer, TC_CALLBACK_OVERFLOW);
+    tc_start_counter(&ms_timer);
+}
diff --git a/atmel-samd/tick.h b/atmel-samd/tick.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..731a691469
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+++ b/atmel-samd/tick.h
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+/*
+ * This file is part of the Micro Python project, http://micropython.org/
+ *
+ * The MIT License (MIT)
+ *
+ * Copyright (c) 2013, 2014 Damien P. George
+ *
+ * Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
+ * of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
+ * in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
+ * to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
+ * copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
+ * furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
+ *
+ * The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in
+ * all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+ *
+ * THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
+ * IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
+ * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
+ * AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
+ * LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
+ * OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN
+ * THE SOFTWARE.
+ */
+#ifndef __MICROPY_INCLUDED_ATMEL_SAMD_TICK_H__
+#define __MICROPY_INCLUDED_ATMEL_SAMD_TICK_H__
+
+#include "mpconfigport.h"
+
+extern volatile uint32_t ticks_ms;
+
+void tick_init();
+
+#endif  // __MICROPY_INCLUDED_ATMEL_SAMD_TICK_H__