ATMEGA162-16MUR - 8-Bit AVR MCU 16MHz 16KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA162-16MUR β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.51 | $5.51 |
| 10 | $4.96 | $49.60 |
| 100 | $4.41 | $441.00 |
| 500 | $3.97 | $1,985.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.58 | $3,580.00 |
ATMEGA162-16MUR Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller is a complete computing system integrated on a single silicon die: it combines a processor core (in this case the AVR enhanced RISC engine), non-volatile program memory, volatile data memory, and peripherals such as UARTs, SPI, and timers within one package. Microcontrollers sit at the lowest level of the embedded-systems hierarchy, below SoCs and application processors, and are the standard choice for dedicated control, communication, and sensing tasks in industrial and consumer products.
Key differentiating features include 131 powerful instructions, most of which execute in a single clock cycle, 32 x 8 general-purpose working registers, and fully static operation to 16 MHz. Throughput approaches 1 MIPS per MHz, letting designers trade clock speed directly against power consumption. The dual UARTs make the part especially attractive for multi-port serial designs.
Technically, the ATmega162 is a low-power CMOS device based on the AVR architecture, with self-programming Flash that supports bootloader-based firmware updates in the field, and a JTAG interface that enables boundary-scan testing and true on-chip debug without sacrificing pins.
Typical applications include industrial control nodes, dual-channel communication gateways leveraging the two USARTs, and legacy serial-system maintenance where ATmega161-class pinouts must be preserved.
Design consideration: the supply range is 2.7V to 5.5V, but the 16 MHz speed grade assumes 4.5V-5.5V operation; below that, derate the clock frequency per the manufacturer datasheet.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, verified drop-in alternatives, application guidance, and design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA162-16MUR 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 ATMEGA162-16MUR (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Instruction Set, Flash Program Memory, General Purpose Registers.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA162-16MU
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$2.19 / Unit
View Datasheet βATMEGA162V-8MUR
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA162-16MI
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA16-16MUR
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA162-16MUR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | AVR 8-bit RISC |
| Clock Frequency | 16 MHz |
| Performance | 16 MIPS at 16 MHz (approx. 1 MIPS/MHz) |
| Flash Program Memory | 16 KB (8K x 16), self-programming |
| SRAM | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 512 B |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.7 V to 5.5 V |
| Instruction Set | 131 instructions, most single-cycle |
| General Purpose Registers | 32 x 8 |
| Debug / Test Interface | JTAG (on-chip debug and boundary scan) |
| Package | 44-VQFN (7x7 mm), exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
ATMEGA162-16MUR 44-vqfn (7x7 mm), exposed pad Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATMEGA162-16MUR (44-vqfn (7x7 mm), exposed pad 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 ATMEGA162-16MUR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATMEGA162-16MUR is suitable for 6 applications: Dual-UART Industrial Communication Gateways, Legacy ATmega161 System Maintenance and Upgrade, Embedded Field-Updateable Firmware Nodes, Boundary-Scan and JTAG Production Test, 5V Serial Sensor and Telemetry Nodes, Prototype and Education Platforms on 5V AVR.
Dual-UART Industrial Communication Gateways
The ATMEGA162-16MUR's defining feature for industrial gateways is its pair of hardware USARTs, letting one port link to a fieldbus, modem, or RF module while the second serves a local service console or a second serial bus - all without software-serial timing jitter. At 16 MHz the AVR core delivers 16 MIPS, ample headroom for protocol conversion such as Modbus ASCII/RTU framing, and the 1KB SRAM buffers message frames. Running at 4.5V-5.5V matches noisy industrial 5V logic levels. The trade-off: no on-chip ADC means analog sensing must use an external converter such as the MCP3204 via SPI.
Recommended
Legacy ATmega161 System Maintenance and Upgrade
The ATmega162 is positioned by Microchip as the enhanced successor to the ATmega161, making the ATMEGA162-16MUR the standard choice for sustaining legacy ATmega161-based industrial boards. Designers gain double the Flash (16KB vs 8KB), a second USART, and JTAG on-chip debugging while retaining the familiar AVR architecture and register model, which minimizes firmware rework. Because the -16MUR ships in tape-and-reel format, existing SMT production lines can drop it into existing assembly programs. Verify fuses and JTAGEN pin behavior during migration, since the added JTAG port claims PORTC pins that ATmega161 code may have used as GPIO.
Recommended
Embedded Field-Updateable Firmware Nodes
The 16KB self-programming Flash of the ATMEGA162-16MUR supports boot-loader-based firmware updates, ideal for deployed nodes that cannot be physically recalled. A bootloader occupies the protected boot section and receives new firmware over either USART, then reprograms application flash in-system - a pattern documented in the Microchip ATmega162 datasheet. Lock-bit configuration protects the bootloader from corruption. The 512B EEPROM stores calibration and network parameters across power cycles. At 16 MHz, 16 MIPS throughput executes a flash-write state machine plus serial framing concurrently. Design caution: reserve adequate boot-section size and always validate firmware CRC before jumping to newly written code.
Recommended
Boundary-Scan and JTAG Production Test
Manufacturing lines benefit from the ATMEGA162-16MUR's integrated JTAG interface, which supports boundary-scan testing of board-level interconnects as well as on-chip debugging - both handled by a single four-wire port. In-circuit test fixtures can validate solder joints to surrounding devices without physical probes, and the same JTAG chain programs flash and performs functional verification, consolidating test steps. This is a differentiator versus ADC-equipped ATmega16 parts in the same package family, which also include JTAG but with different peripheral mapping. Configure JTAGEN fuse correctly; disable it only after confirming no production test depends on boundary scan.
Recommended
5V Serial Sensor and Telemetry Nodes
In 5V sensor telemetry nodes, the ATMEGA162-16MUR offers 16 MIPS of processing for filtering and framing, two USARTs (one to the radio/cellular modem, one to the sensor bus or GPS receiver), SPI for external ADCs, and a fully static core that tolerates slow or gated clocks. The 2.7V-5.5V supply range permits direct battery-backed 5V rails, and the 44-VQFN 7x7 mm exposed-pad package gives compact, thermally efficient mounting on small telemetry PCBs. The exposed pad should be soldered to a ground pour for both thermal relief and EMI reduction. Use sleep modes between transmissions to conserve battery budget.
Recommended
Prototype and Education Platforms on 5V AVR
The ATMEGA162-16MUR fits breadboard-style and socketed educational platforms thanks to its standard AVR toolchain support (AVR-GCC, Microchip Studio, AVRDUDE) and multiple programming paths - SPI ISP, JTAG, or UART bootloader. Students and prototypers exercise dual-UART communication, interrupt-driven serial I/O, and bootloader self-programming on one low-cost part. The tray-packaged ATMEGA162-16MU variant is often preferred for hand assembly, while the -16MUR reel suits lab kit volume builds. Note the part lacks an on-chip ADC, so analog lab exercises require an external SPI ADC such as the MCP3204, which doubles as a lesson in serial peripheral interfacing.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA162-16MUR β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA162-16MU | ATMEGA162V-8MUR | ATMEGA162-16MI | ATMEGA16-16MUR | ATMEGA161-16AI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-VQFN (7x7) exposed pad | 44-VQFN (7x7) - same | 44-VQFN (7x7) - same | 44-VQFN (7x7) - same | 44-VQFN (7x7) - same | 44-TQFP - different |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 8 KB |
| EEPROM | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B |
| Max Clock Frequency | 16 MHz (16 MIPS) | 16 MHz | 8 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz |
| UART Count | 2 USARTs | 2 USARTs | 2 USARTs | 2 USARTs | 1 USART | 1 USART |
| ADC | None | None | None | None | 10-bit ADC (8 ch) | None |
| JTAG Debug | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Key Differentiators
- Dual hardware USARTs for multi-channel serial designs (vs ATMEGA16-16MUR)
- JTAG on-chip debugging and boundary scan (vs ATMEGA161-16AI)
- 1 MIPS/MHz efficiency with self-programming Flash (vs ATMEGA162V-8MUR)
Design Notes
Respect the frequency-voltage derating curve in the Microchip ATmega162 datasheet: the -16MUR 16 MHz speed grade is guaranteed only at the upper end of the 2.7V-5.5V supply range (roughly 4.5V-5.5V). Operating at 3.3V requires derating the clock to about 8 MHz or below; otherwise execution becomes unreliable. If your design is fixed at 3.3V, select the ATMEGA162V-8MUR variant, which is specified for low-voltage 8 MHz operation instead of forcing the -16MUR outside its safe operating region.
The 44-VQFN 7x7 mm package has an exposed pad on the bottom that must be connected to ground. Design the land pattern with a corresponding thermal via array (typically 4-6 vias) into the ground plane to ensure reliable soldering and low ground impedance. Place 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitors at each supply pin pair within 2 mm of the package, plus bulk 10 uF near the regulator. For VQFN assembly, specify a 0.1-0.125 mm stencil aperture reduction for the center pad to prevent solder bridging during reflow.
The JTAGEN fuse is programmed by default, meaning PORTC pins are assigned to the JTAG interface at power-up. Legacy ATmega161 code migrated to the ATmega162 often expects those pins as general-purpose I/O, producing mysterious port faults. Either disable JTAGEN if you do not need boundary-scan/debug, or redesign firmware to avoid PORTC GPIO. Also verify lock-bit and boot-section fuses when using the self-programming Flash for bootloaders, and always validate a CRC on received firmware before jumping to freshly written application code in the field.
Compliance Information
Compliance status not explicitly stated in the captured distributor data. Verify on the Microchip product page or via the distributor material declaration sheet for the exact ordering code.
