ATMEGA1608-XU - 16KB Flash 20MHz AVR MCU | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA1608-XU β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.76 | $0.76 |
| 10 | $0.72 | $7.20 |
| 100 | $0.68 | $68.00 |
| 500 | $0.64 | $320.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.58 | $580.00 |
ATMEGA1608-XU Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single integrated circuit that combines a processor core, program memory, data memory, and peripherals such as timers, ADCs, and serial interfaces into one chip. The megaAVR 0-series sits in Microchip's general-purpose 8-bit MCU hierarchy below the ATmega4809 flagship, delivering the same modern AVR core architecture in smaller memory configurations for cost-sensitive embedded designs.
Key features include a 20 MHz maximum CPU frequency with single-cycle hardware multiplier, 16 KB of in-system-programmable Flash, 2 KB SRAM, and a 10-bit ADC. According to the ATmega808/809/1608/1609 family datasheet (DS40002172C), the series uses the latest AVR core technologies from Microchip with flexible low-power operation across a wide 1.8 V to 5.5 V supply range.
Technically, the device integrates a rich peripheral set typical of the megaAVR 0-series: multiple USARTs, SPI and I2C (TWI) interfaces, 16-bit timers with PWM capability, an RTC, and configurable custom logic peripherals, enabling reduced external component count and lower BOM cost. The 10-bit ADC and analog comparators support direct sensor interfacing.
Typical applications include industrial control and automation nodes, home appliances and IoT sensor endpoints, and consumer electronics where a 20 MHz, 16 KB Flash controller with 23 I/O pins covers the full application logic.
Design consideration: the wide 1.8 V to 5.5 V operating range allows direct battery or 5 V rail operation, but ensure the UPDI one-wire programming pin (PA0) is properly isolated in-circuit. Programming uses the single-wire UPDI interface rather than legacy ISP.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, as of 2026-09-16.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA1608-XU β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA808-XU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA3208-XU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA4808-XU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA1608-XF
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA1608-XU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | AVR (8-bit, megaAVR 0-series) |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB (16K x 8) |
| SRAM | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit |
| Number of I/O | 23 |
| Package | SSOP-28 (208 mil) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Programmer Interface | UPDI (single-wire) |
| Hardware Multiplier | Yes |
| Series | megaAVR 0-series, Functional Safety (FuSa) capable |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (per JLCPCB listing) |
| Category | Integrated Circuits (ICs), Embedded, Microcontrollers |
ATMEGA1608-XU Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD β Power supply (1.8 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 2 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 3 | PA0 β Port A bit 0 / UPDI programming interface |
| Pin 4 | PA1 β Port A bit 1 (GPIO/analog) |
| Pin 5 | PA2 β Port A bit 2 (GPIO/analog) |
| Pin 6 | PA3 β Port A bit 3 (GPIO/analog) |
| Pin 7 | PA4 β Port A bit 4 (GPIO/analog) |
| Pin 8 | PA5 β Port A bit 5 (GPIO/analog) |
| Pin 9 | PA6 β Port A bit 6 (GPIO/analog) |
| Pin 10 | PA7 β Port A bit 7 (GPIO/analog) |
| Pin 11 | PB0 β Port B bit 0 (GPIO/analog) |
| Pin 12 | PB1 β Port B bit 1 (GPIO/analog) |
| Pin 13 | PB2 β Port B bit 2 (GPIO/analog) |
| Pin 14 | PB3 β Port B bit 3 (GPIO/analog) |
| Pin 15 | PB4 β Port B bit 4 (GPIO/analog) |
| Pin 16 | PB5 β Port B bit 5 (GPIO/analog) |
| Pin 17 | PC0 β Port C bit 0 (GPIO) |
| Pin 18 | PC1 β Port C bit 1 (GPIO) |
| Pin 19 | PC2 β Port C bit 2 (GPIO) |
| Pin 20 | PC3 β Port C bit 3 (GPIO) |
| Pin 21 | PC4 β Port C bit 4 (GPIO) |
| Pin 22 | PC5 β Port C bit 5 (GPIO) |
| Pin 23 | PD0 β Port D bit 0 (GPIO) |
| Pin 24 | PD1 β Port D bit 1 (GPIO) |
| Pin 25 | PD2 β Port D bit 2 (GPIO) |
| Pin 26 | PD3 β Port D bit 3 (GPIO) |
| Pin 27 | VDD β Power supply (1.8 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 28 | GND β Ground |
Typical Applications
ATMEGA1608-XU is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and Automation, IoT Sensor Endpoints, Home Appliances, Consumer Electronics, Arduino-Compatible Prototyping, Battery-Powered Portable Devices.
Industrial Control and Automation
The ATMEGA1608-XU fits industrial control nodes through its -40 C to +85 C operating range, 1.8 V to 5.5 V supply tolerance, and megaAVR 0-series functional safety (FuSa) capability highlighted by DigiKey. Its 23 GPIO lines, multiple USARTs, SPI, and TWI interfaces handle Modbus UART links, sensor polling, and relay/gate-driver control in one 28-pin SSOP device. The 20 MHz core with single-cycle hardware multiplier executes control loops and CRC calculations efficiently at low cost. The 16-bit PWM timers drive actuators or LED indicators without external controller chips. Because the wide supply range tolerates noisy industrial 5 V rails and brownout conditions, the device reduces external supervision circuitry, lowering overall node BOM cost and board area in PLC I/O modules and sensor hubs.
Recommended
IoT Sensor Endpoints
For battery-powered IoT sensor endpoints, the ATMEGA1608-XU combines low-power megaAVR 0-series sleep modes with enough 16 KB Flash and 2 KB SRAM to host lightweight sensing firmware plus a communication protocol. The 10-bit ADC digitizes analog sensors directly, and the RTC peripheral maintains timestamps in deep sleep at microamp-level currents. Operating down to 1.8 V allows direct connection to two alkaline cells or a single Li-SOCl2 cell through the full discharge curve, eliminating a boost converter. The TWI and SPI interfaces connect environmental sensors, while a USART links to radio or LoRa modules. The SSOP-28 footprint keeps the sensor node PCB compact, and UPDI programming permits field firmware updates through a single wire routed to a test pad.
Recommended
Home Appliances
The ATMEGA1608-XU suits home appliance control boards because its 1.8 V to 5.5 V supply tolerance survives mains-derived auxiliary rails, and its -40 C to +85 C grade covers kitchen and outdoor-adjacent environments. The 20 MHz AVR core with hardware multiplier handles button debouncing, encoder scanning, and buzzer tone generation while the 16-bit PWM timers control fan speed or heater duty cycles. Ten-bit ADC inputs read NTC thermistors and potentiometer user controls directly. The 16 KB Flash accommodates appliance state machines, fault logging, and EEPROM-backed user settings in the on-chip 256-byte EEPROM, removing external memory. Multiple USART/TWI interfaces connect displays and touch front-ends, and the FuSa-capable series pedigree supports safety-relevant appliance functions.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics
In consumer electronics such as toys, chargers, small displays, and remote controls, the ATMEGA1608-XU delivers a 20 MHz 8-bit core, 23 GPIO, and 10-bit ADC at roughly $0.76 unit cost as of 2026-09-16, making it attractive for high-volume BOM-sensitive designs. The wide 1.8 V to 5.5 V range supports both battery and USB-derived 5 V operation without level shifting on most peripherals. The hardware multiplier accelerates LED animation math and audio tone synthesis, while the SSOP-28 208-mil pitch keeps assembly compatible with low-cost two-sided reflow lines. The 16 KB Flash holds complete application plus bootloader, and UPDI enables one-wire in-line programming during final assembly, simplifying test fixtures and reducing production programming time.
Recommended
Arduino-Compatible Prototyping
The ATMEGA1608-XU is supported by the open-source MegaCoreX Arduino hardware package, which covers ATmega4809/4808/3209/3208/1609/1608/809/808, so it works directly within the Arduino IDE ecosystem for rapid prototyping. Developers get familiar digital/analog APIs over the megaAVR 0-series peripherals, while the 20 MHz core and hardware multiplier outperform classic ATmega328P boards. The SSOP-28 package suits custom carrier PCBs and breadboard adapters; the UPDI single-wire interface allows programming with a low-cost Serial-UPDI adapter built from any USB-UART converter. The 2 KB SRAM accommodates typical sketch libraries, and 16 KB Flash fits most prototype applications, making the part a modern successor for legacy ATmega328-based designs during prototyping phases.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Portable Devices
The ATMEGA1608-XU fits portable battery devices because it regulates down to 1.8 V, matching the end-of-discharge voltage of two-cell alkaline and NiMH packs across the full battery curve, and its megaAVR 0-series sleep architecture minimizes standby drain. The RTC continues timekeeping in low-power sleep so devices wake on schedule for periodic measurement. The 10-bit ADC reads battery voltage through the internal reference to report state of charge, and the hardware multiplier accelerates display and signal processing between sleep intervals. The 256-byte EEPROM stores calibration and user data without external non-volatile memory, trimming BOM cost and board area. The -40 C to +85 C range also protects outdoor portable instruments from temperature-induced supply droop issues.
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Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA1608-XU β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA808-XU | ATMEGA3208-XU | ATMEGA4808-XU | ATMEGA1608-AFR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | SSOP-28 | SSOP-28 - same | SSOP-28 - same | SSOP-28 - same | VQFN-32 (different package) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 8 KB | 32 KB | 48 KB | 16 KB |
| SRAM | 2 KB | 1 KB | 4 KB | 6 KB | 2 KB |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C (automotive grade) |
| Pinout Compatibility | SSOP-28 megaAVR 0 pinout | Pin-to-pin compatible | Pin-to-pin compatible | Pin-to-pin compatible | Not pin-compatible (32-pin VQFN) |
Key Differentiators
- Best memory/cost balance in 28-pin SSOP family (vs ATMEGA808-XU)
- Lower cost than higher-memory siblings (vs ATMEGA3208-XU)
- Wider availability in cost-optimized channels (vs ATMEGA1608-AFR)
Design Notes
Do not attempt to program the ATMEGA1608-XU with legacy ISP or JTAG tools: the megaAVR 0-series uses only the single-wire UPDI interface on pin PA0. Route PA0 to a test pad or header and keep series resistance low. If PA0 is shared with application circuitry, ensure the external load does not exceed UPDI drive capability during programming. Microchip PICkit 4, SNAP, and community Serial-UPDI (USB-UART + diode, per the MegaCoreX documentation) all work.
Decouple both VDD pins with 100 nF ceramic capacitors placed within a few millimeters of pins 1 and 27, plus one bulk 4.7 uF to 10 uF capacitor near the supply entry. The 1.8 V to 5.5 V range tolerates battery sag, but brownout detection should be enabled in the fuse/lockbit configuration (BOD fused at 1.8 V or 2.7 V as appropriate) so Flash writes do not occur below the minimum programming voltage.
The SSOP-28 (208 mil) lead pitch of 0.65 mm is solderable with standard reflow but tight for hand soldering; verify footprint land pattern per the manufacturer package drawing. Keep the 10-bit ADC analog inputs (Port A/PB) away from fast-switching PWM traces on Port C/D, and use the internal reference plus ratiometric measurement for ratiometric sensors to minimize noise sensitivity on a two-layer board.
Estimated: at 20 MHz and 5 V, typical active-mode current for the megaAVR 0-series is in the low-mA range, giving power dissipation well under 50 mW - thermal management is not a concern for the SSOP-28 package at this operating point. Budget higher if driving LED loads directly from GPIO; limit total per-port sink/source current per the datasheet electrical characteristics.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance stated on JLCPCB part listing (C1342110). REACH, lead-free, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals statuses not explicitly stated in the provided data. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; use ATMEGA1608-AFR automotive-grade variant if AEC-Q100 is required.
