ATMEGA163-8PC - 8-Bit AVR MCU 16KB 8MHz 40-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA163-8PC ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.95 | $4.95 |
| 10 | $4.45 | $44.50 |
| 100 | $3.95 | $395.00 |
| 500 | $3.55 | $1,775.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.2 | $3,200.00 |
ATMEGA163-8PC Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller integrates a processor core, program memory, data memory, and peripherals on a single chip. The ATmega family uses the AVR enhanced RISC architecture, executing most instructions in a single clock cycle to deliver throughputs approaching 1 MIPS per MHz, letting designers optimize power consumption against processing speed within the broader microcontroller and embedded-processor hierarchy.
Key features include 32 general-purpose 8-bit registers directly connected to the ALU, up to 8 MIPS throughput at 8MHz, four 8-bit PWM channels, an 8-channel 10-bit ADC, and hardware interfaces for SPI, I2C (TWI), and UART/USART serial communication. The external memory interface addresses expanded memory, and in-system programmable FLASH enables firmware updates without removing the device from the board.
Architecturally, the device pairs the AVR core with Harvard memory separation and a single-cycle instruction pipeline. Interrupt vectors, three hardware timers/counters, and a programmable watchdog timer support deterministic real-time behavior suitable for industrial control and instrumentation codebases.
Typical applications include industrial automation, motor control and appliances, embedded instrumentation, legacy AVR design maintenance, and hobbyist/educational systems where a through-hole DIP package simplifies prototyping.
Design consideration: the ATmega163 is a legacy device no longer recommended for new designs; software compatibility with newer ATmega parts (ATmega16/32/162) should be verified before a board refresh.
This page synthesizes distributor availability, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA163-8PC — 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 ATMEGA163-8PC (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Throughput, Timers, Mounting Type, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA162-16PC
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA162-16PI
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$3.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA16-16PC
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$4.48 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA32-16PC
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA163-8AI
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.22 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA163-8PI
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA8515-16PU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA163-8PC Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit AVR RISC |
| Program Memory Size | 16KB (8K x 16) FLASH |
| SRAM Size | 1 KB |
| EEPROM Size | 512 B |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 8 MHz |
| Throughput | up to 8 MIPS (1 MIPS per MHz) |
| PWM Channels | 4 (8-bit) |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit |
| ADC Channels | 8 |
| Communication Interfaces | SPI, I2C (TWI), UART/USART |
| External Memory Interface | Yes |
| In-System Programming | Yes (ISP FLASH) |
| Package | 40-PDIP (0.600 in, 15.24 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial, P suffix) |
ATMEGA163-8PC Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PB5 (MOSI) — Port B bit 5 / SPI Master Out Slave In |
| Pin 2 | PB6 (MISO) — Port B bit 6 / SPI Master In Slave Out |
| Pin 3 | PB7 (SCK) — Port B bit 7 / SPI Serial Clock |
| Pin 4 | PD0 (RXD) — Port D bit 0 / UART Receive |
| Pin 5 | PD1 (TXD) — Port D bit 1 / UART Transmit |
| Pin 6 | PD2 (INT0) — Port D bit 2 / External Interrupt 0 |
| Pin 7 | PD3 (INT1) — Port D bit 3 / External Interrupt 1 |
| Pin 8 | PD4 — Port D bit 4 |
| Pin 9 | PD5 — Port D bit 5 |
| Pin 10 | PD6 — Port D bit 6 |
| Pin 11 | PD7 — Port D bit 7 |
| Pin 12 | PC0 (A8) — Port C bit 0 / External memory address bit 8 |
| Pin 13 | PC1 (A9) — Port C bit 1 / External memory address bit 9 |
| Pin 14 | PC2 (A10) — Port C bit 2 / External memory address bit 10 |
| Pin 15 | PC3 (A11) — Port C bit 3 / External memory address bit 11 |
| Pin 16 | PC4 (A12) — Port C bit 4 / External memory address bit 12 |
| Pin 17 | PC5 (A13) — Port C bit 5 / External memory address bit 13 |
| Pin 18 | PC6 (A14) — Port C bit 6 / External memory address bit 14 |
| Pin 19 | PC7 (A15) — Port C bit 7 / External memory address bit 15 |
| Pin 20 | AREF — ADC analog reference voltage |
| Pin 21 | AGND — ADC analog ground |
| Pin 22 | AVCC — ADC supply voltage |
| Pin 23 | PA0 (ADC0) — Port A bit 0 / ADC channel 0 |
| Pin 24 | PA1 (ADC1) — Port A bit 1 / ADC channel 1 |
| Pin 25 | PA2 (ADC2) — Port A bit 2 / ADC channel 2 |
| Pin 26 | PA3 (ADC3) — Port A bit 3 / ADC channel 3 |
| Pin 27 | PA4 (ADC4) — Port A bit 4 / ADC channel 4 |
| Pin 28 | PA5 (ADC5) — Port A bit 5 / ADC channel 5 |
| Pin 29 | PA6 (ADC6) — Port A bit 6 / ADC channel 6 |
| Pin 30 | PA7 (ADC7) — Port A bit 7 / ADC channel 7 |
| Pin 31 | ALE — External memory address latch enable |
| Pin 32 | OC0 — Timer/Counter 0 output compare output |
| Pin 33 | TOSC1 — Timer oscillator input (32.768 kHz crystal) |
| Pin 34 | TOSC2 — Timer oscillator output (32.768 kHz crystal) |
| Pin 35 | WR — External memory write strobe |
| Pin 36 | RD — External memory read strobe |
| Pin 37 | XTAL1 — Main clock oscillator input |
| Pin 38 | XTAL2 — Main clock oscillator output |
| Pin 39 | GND — Digital ground |
| Pin 40 | VCC — Digital supply voltage |
Typical Applications
ATMEGA163-8PC is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation and Control, Legacy Embedded Product Maintenance, Motor Control and Appliances, Instrumentation and Data Acquisition, Education and Hobbyist Prototyping, Communication Interface Nodes.
Industrial Automation and Control
The ATMEGA163-8PC fits industrial control boards that need deterministic 8-bit control with an external memory interface. Its single-cycle AVR core delivers up to 8 MIPS at 8MHz, enough for polling-based I/O, relay sequencing, and PID loops on slower processes. The SPI, I2C, and UART interfaces connect PLC-adjacent modules, keypads, and operator displays, while the 16KB in-system programmable FLASH allows field firmware updates without desoldering. The through-hole 40-pin PDIP package eases board-level repair in industrial equipment with long service lives. Designers should note the obsolete status: for new industrial builds, pin-compatible ATMEGA162-16PI units add industrial temperature rating and 16MHz performance on the same footprint, with only a firmware recompile required.
Recommended
Legacy Embedded Product Maintenance
Sustaining engineering teams use the ATMEGA163-8PC to keep shipping legacy products whose firmware is locked to the ATmega163 register map. Because the 16KB FLASH is in-system programmable, bug-fix firmware can be flashed through the existing SPI ISP header during service, and the 512B EEPROM retains calibration and configuration data across power cycles. The 1KB SRAM and 8MHz clock are usually sufficient for the original firmware's footprint. Sourcing risk is the main concern: the part is obsolete, so stock is finite - XAIPART, DigiKey, and Octopart-listed distributors still show inventory as of 2026-09-16. Plan a parallel migration path to ATMEGA162-16PC, which keeps the same 40-pin PDIP socket while providing continued availability.
Recommended
Motor Control and Appliances
Home appliances and small motor drives benefit from the ATMEGA163-8PC's four 8-bit PWM channels, which generate phase-control or chopper waveforms for DC and universal motors, plus its 10-bit ADC for current and position feedback. The 8MHz clock provides adequate loop rates for fan, pump, and small-appliance control, while the watchdog timer enforces safe recovery from firmware faults - important in equipment handling heat or water. The 40-pin DIP allows service-friendly socketed MCUs in appliances that are repaired rather than discarded. Because the die is obsolete, appliance manufacturers should qualify ATMEGA162-16PC (same package, 16MHz) or ATMEGA16-16PC as second-source drops, recompiling firmware against the updated peripheral register definitions.
Recommended
Instrumentation and Data Acquisition
The ATMEGA163-8PC's 8-channel, 10-bit ADC with internal reference support suits low-speed data acquisition nodes measuring temperature, pressure, and voltage in instruments. Sampled values are stored in the 512B EEPROM for calibration constants, and the UART streams results to a host PC or logger at standard baud rates, while SPI links faster external ADCs or displays when the internal ADC is insufficient. The external memory interface can attach SRAM when 1KB of internal SRAM becomes the bottleneck for buffering. Its 5V supply matches legacy analog front ends directly. For new instruments, ATMEGA16-16PC keeps the same socket and ADC architecture at double the clock, simplifying both hardware and firmware transition.
Recommended
Education and Hobbyist Prototyping
The 0.600-inch 40-pin PDIP package makes the ATMEGA163-8PC ideal for breadboards, DIP sockets, and educational lab boards: no hot-air rework is needed, and a socketed chip survives repeated student experiments. The AVR architecture - 32 registers, single-cycle execution, simple instruction set - is widely taught, and legacy ISP programmers and Arduino-era AVR toolchains (AVR-GCC, avrdude) still support the part. Students exercise SPI, I2C, UART, PWM, and the 10-bit ADC in one package at 5V. Educators should pair teaching stock with the pin-compatible ATMEGA16-16PC or ATMEGA32-16PC, which remain easier to source and expose students to JTAG and larger memory without changing lab hardware layouts.
Recommended
Communication Interface Nodes
Nodes that bridge protocols - UART-to-I2C, SPI-to-UART, or Modus-style field links - are a natural fit for the ATMEGA163-8PC, which integrates hardware SPI, I2C (TWI), and UART/USART in one 8MHz 8-bit core. The UART handles host-side links, the TWI addresses EEPROMs, RTCs, and sensors, and hardware SPI serves fast peripherals or the ISP programming header. The 16KB FLASH accommodates buffered protocol stacks, while the 1KB SRAM supports packet buffering for modest data rates. Interrupt-driven USART operation keeps latency deterministic. For long-life networked products, designers should qualify ATMEGA162-16PC, which retains the same three-interface set on the identical 40-pin PDIP footprint at twice the clock speed.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA163-8PC — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA162-16PC | ATMEGA16-16PC | ATMEGA32-16PC | ATMEGA163-8AI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 40-PDIP (0.600 in) | 40-PDIP - same | 40-PDIP - same | 40-PDIP - same | TQFP-44 - same die, different package |
| Brand | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) |
| FLASH Program Memory | 16KB | 16KB | 16KB | 32KB | 16KB |
| Max Clock Frequency | 8 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 8 MHz |
| SRAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 2 KB | 1 KB |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial) | 0C to +70C | -40C to +85C | 0C to +70C | -40C to +85C |
| Serial Interfaces | SPI, I2C, UART | SPI, I2C, 2x UART | SPI, I2C, UART + JTAG | SPI, I2C, UART + JTAG | SPI, I2C, UART |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Active / recommended successor | Active | Active | Obsolete (same die) |
Key Differentiators
- Through-hole 40-PDIP package (vs ATMEGA163-8AI)
- Successor availability (vs ATMEGA163-8PI)
- Double the memory on the same socket (vs ATMEGA32-16PC)
Design Notes
The ATMEGA163-8PC is obsolete. Before committing it to any build, secure a lifecycle plan: buy enough stock for the product's remaining life or qualify ATMEGA162-16PC/ATMEGA16-16PC as second sources on the same 40-pin DIP footprint. Firmware written for ATmega163-specific registers must be recompiled and regression-tested for the successor register map - allocate engineering time for this migration even though the socket is unchanged.
Decouple VCC/AVCC independently: place a 100nF ceramic capacitor directly across pins 39-40 (GND/VCC) and a separate 100nF on AVCC (pin 22) to AGND (pin 21), plus 10uF bulk at the board supply entry. Keep the ADC's analog domain (AREF/AGND/AVCC) routed away from digital return paths to preserve 10-bit accuracy; a star-ground tie near the device is recommended per classic Atmel AVR hardware design practice.
When using the external memory interface (ALE/WR/RD, Port C address bus), keep trace lengths short and add 22-33 ohm series resistors on strobe lines to reduce ringing on through-hole boards. If using the SPI bus for both ISP programming and runtime peripherals, isolate the ISP header with series resistors so programming traffic does not conflict with attached SPI slaves.
Compliance Information
As an obsolete part produced before RoHS-era requalification, the 'P' (PDIP) package suffix typically indicates a lead-containing through-hole build, but no compliance statement was present in the verified data - confirm with Microchip before use in RoHS-restricted products.
