ATMEGA162-16AI - 8-bit AVR MCU 16KB Flash 16MHz | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA162-16AI β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.62 | $4.62 |
| 10 | $4.16 | $41.60 |
| 100 | $3.71 | $371.00 |
| 500 | $3.34 | $1,670.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.98 | $2,980.00 |
ATMEGA162-16AI Overview
An 8-bit AVR microcontroller is a Harvard-architecture processor that executes most of its 131 powerful instructions in a single clock cycle, achieving close to 1 MIPS per MHz. In the power-management hierarchy of an embedded system, the MCU sits at the control layer, reading sensors, driving actuators, and managing communication links. The ATmega162 belongs to the classic ATmega Flash-based AVR family, which also includes the ATmega8515 and ATmega16, and remains in production under Microchip Technology after the Atmel acquisition.
Key features include dual UARTs for simultaneous multi-channel serial communication, an enhanced two-wire serial interface (TWI/I2C compatible), a full SPI interface, and external memory interfacing capability. The suffix breakdown of ATMEGA162-16AI identifies 16 MHz maximum frequency, the TQFP package, and the industrial (-40C to +85C) temperature range, making it suitable for uncontrolled environments.
Architecturally, the ATmega162 combines a fast AVR core with 16 KB of self-programming Flash supporting bootloader applications, hardware multiplier arithmetic capability typical of the family, and JTAG boundary-scan and on-chip-debug support, which shortens development cycles compared to socket-emulator workflows. Power-management modes including Idle and extended Standby allow aggressive energy reduction in battery-aware designs.
Typical applications include industrial control panels and PLC sub-systems, dual-channel communication gateways leveraging the two USARTs, and legacy AVR board refreshes where the ATmega162 directly replaces the ATmega8515 footprint. Its 5 V operation tolerates noisy industrial rails better than low-voltage MCUs.
Design consideration: at 16 MHz the device must be powered from 4.5 V to 5.5 V per the AVR speed-grade matrix; running the same code at 3.3 V requires selecting the ATmega162V grade and derating the clock to 8 MHz.
This page synthesizes verified distributor data, drop-in alternatives, and engineering design guidance in one place, beyond what a raw datasheet PDF offers.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA162-16AI β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with ATMEGA162-16AI (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Communication Interfaces, Debug Interface, EEPROM Size.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA162-16AU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$2.45 / Unit
View Datasheet βATMEGA162-16AUR
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA162V-8AU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA8515-16AU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA16-16AU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$4.41 / Unit
View Datasheet βATMEGA162-16AI Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit AVR RISC |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Program Memory Size | 16 KB (8K x 16) Flash |
| Program Memory Type | In-System Programmable Flash |
| SRAM Size | 1 KB |
| EEPROM Size | 512 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 16 MHz |
| Throughput | 16 MIPS at 16 MHz |
| Instruction Set | 131 instructions, most single-cycle |
| Supply Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V (16 speed grade) |
| Number of I/O | 32 programmable I/O lines |
| Communication Interfaces | 2 x USART, SPI, TWI (I2C compatible) |
| Debug Interface | JTAG (on-chip debug and boundary scan) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial, I suffix) |
| Package | 44-TQFP (10x10 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Series | AVR ATmega |
ATMEGA162-16AI 44-tqfp (10x10 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATMEGA162-16AI (44-tqfp (10x10 mm) package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for ATMEGA162-16AI.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATMEGA162-16AI is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panels, Dual-UART Communication Gateways, Legacy AVR Board Refresh, Building Automation and HVAC Supervisors, Test and Measurement Instrumentation, Point-of-Sale and Access Control Terminals.
Industrial Control Panels
The ATMEGA162-16AI fits industrial panel controllers because its industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade and 4.5 V-5.5 V operation tolerate noisy factory power rails that would challenge 3.3 V MCUs. Its 32 I/O lines drive relays, indicators, and keypads directly, while 16 MIPS at 16 MHz executes control loops deterministically. Typical usage places it as the HMI and sequencing processor between a front-panel matrix and RS-485 fieldbus; the 16 KB Flash holds generous ladder-like logic, and 512 bytes of EEPROM store configuration non-volatilely. The trade-off versus newer parts is the absence of an ADC, so analog sensing requires an external converter such as the ADC081S021 over SPI.
Recommended
Dual-UART Communication Gateways
With two independent hardware USARTs, the ATmega162 is a natural protocol bridge - for example RS-232 to RS-485, or a modem link plus a local diagnostic port running concurrently. At 16 MHz the core provides 16 MIPS, enough to service two buffered UART channels with framing and CRC checks while leaving headroom for application logic; the 1 KB SRAM accommodates dual 256-byte ring buffers comfortably. The part is placed between two physical-layer transceivers, with the TWI or SPI available to extend to EEPROM or additional peripherals. The main design consideration is 5 V I/O levels, which simplify driving legacy RS-485/232 logic but require level shifting when interfacing 3.3 V hosts.
Recommended
Legacy AVR Board Refresh
Many installed boards were laid out around the ATmega8515 in 44-TQFP; the ATmega162 was created as the pin-compatible refresh path, doubling Flash to 16 KB, adding a second USART, TWI, and JTAG on-chip debug without PCB changes. In refresh projects, the ATMEGA162-16AI is soldered onto the existing footprint, and firmware is recompiled with the ATmega162 header; peripheral differences must be audited, particularly the JTAG enable fuse, which can claim PC2-PC5 as debug pins if left on. This halves migration effort versus re-layout, and self-programming Flash allows field firmware updates via a small bootloader, extending the service life of legacy industrial equipment at minimal cost.
Recommended
Building Automation and HVAC Supervisors
In building automation nodes, the ATMEGA162-16AI acts as a zone controller coordinating damper motors, valve outputs, and sensor inputs. The TWI interface (I2C-compatible) connects temperature and humidity sensors, SPI supports an external EEPROM for schedules, and one USART links to an RS-485 BACnet-style bus while the second serves a service port. The industrial temperature rating covers rooftop and mechanical-room extremes of -40C to +85C, and 5 V logic gives robust noise immunity alongside contactor coils. At 16 MHz, periodic scanning of multiple zones within 100 ms control cycles is straightforward; power modes allow idle between ticks to cut average current in mains-monitoring designs.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
Bench instruments, dongle testers, and cable testers benefit from the ATmega162's JTAG on-chip debugging, which enables live firmware inspection during instrument calibration and brings boundary scan for production test of the surrounding board. The dual USART architecture lets one channel stream measurement results to a host PC while the second drives a stimulus generator or barcode reader. At 16 MHz/16 MIPS, timing-critical pulse generation and edge counting are deterministic, and 32 GPIO lines directly drive test relays and indicator LEDs from 5 V logic. The 44-TQFP 0.8 mm pitch is reworkable with standard hot-air tools, which matters for low-volume instrument maintenance.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale and Access Control Terminals
Access-control readers and small POS terminals use the ATMEGA162-16AI as the main controller: Port A/B drive keypad scanning and buzzer/LED feedback, one USART reads an RFID or magnetic-stripe module, and the second communicates with the door controller or receipt printer. The 512-byte EEPROM stores serial numbers and access lists locally, and 16 KB Flash leaves room for firmware plus protocol logic. The 5 V industrial-grade silicon tolerates the wide temperature swings of outdoor readers (-40C to +85C), and ESD-robust 5 V I/O simplifies wiring to long reader cables. JTAG allows production programming and test through one connector.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA162-16AI β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA162-16AU | ATMEGA162-16AUR | ATMEGA162V-8AU | ATMEGA8515-16AU | ATMEGA16-16AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-TQFP (10x10) | 44-TQFP (10x10) - same | 44-TQFP (10x10) - same | 44-TQFP (10x10) - same | 44-TQFP (10x10) - same | 44-TQFP (10x10) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 8 KB | 16 KB |
| SRAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 512 bytes | 1 KB |
| Max Clock Frequency | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 8 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz |
| USART Count | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| JTAG On-Chip Debug | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| ADC | No | No | No | No | No | Yes (8-ch 10-bit) |
| Pin-to-Pin Compatible with ATMEGA162-16AI | Reference | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (different port mapping) |
Key Differentiators
- Dual hardware USARTs (vs ATMEGA16-16AU)
- JTAG on-chip debug and boundary scan (vs ATMEGA8515-16AU)
- Pin-compatible legacy upgrade (vs ATMEGA8515-16AU)
- Trade-off: no on-chip ADC (vs ATMEGA16-16AU)
Design Notes
The -16 speed grade requires a 4.5 V to 5.5 V supply for 16 MHz operation. Verify the supply rail stays within range under all load transients; brown-out detection should be enabled via fuse (BODEN/BODLEVEL) so the MCU resets cleanly during supply dips rather than corrupting EEPROM. Estimated: a typical board drawing 30 mA (active mode order of magnitude for 5 V AVRs) plus peripherals should budget a 100 mA-class regulator such as an LDO with adequate thermal margin.
JTAG is enabled by default on the ATmega162 and claims pins PC7-PC4 (TCK/TMS/TDO/TDI), which are also port C I/O. If your design uses those pins as GPIO and JTAG debugging is not needed, clear the JTAGEN fuse; otherwise four I/O lines appear dead. Conversely, if you need port C fully, remember PC3/PC2 can serve as TOSC2/TOSC1 for a 32.768 kHz watch crystal when the clock-select fuse is set.
Decouple both VCC pins and AVCC with 100 nF ceramic capacitors placed within 5 mm of each pin, plus one bulk 10 uF per supply rail. Tie AVCC to VCC through an LC filter (10 uH + 10 uF) when analog accuracy on AREF matters, even though the ATmega162 lacks an ADC, because EEPROM write endurance and clock stability benefit from clean AVCC. Keep the 16 MHz crystal within 10 mm of XTAL1/XTAL2 with 12-22 pF load capacitors per the crystal specification.
When driving long RS-485/RS-232 cables from the dual USARTs, protect the MCU pins with series resistors (100-220 ohm) and TVS diodes on the transceiver side, not on the MCU side. On externally addressed memory buses, keep address/data lines under 15 cm and consider series termination (22-33 ohm) to control ringing at 16 MHz, since the external-memory interface edges are fast enough to produce reflections on longer traces.
Compliance Information
Compliance status not stated in the provided web data; the -AU suffix typically denotes Pb-free packaging in Microchip nomenclature, but confirm RoHS/REACH certificates on microchip.com before procurement.
