ATMEGA163L-4AC - 8-bit AVR MCU 16KB Flash 4MHz TQFP-44 | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA163L-4AC ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9.2 | $9.20 |
| 10 | $8.28 | $82.80 |
| 100 | $7.36 | $736.00 |
| 500 | $6.44 | $3,220.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.52 | $5,520.00 |
ATMEGA163L-4AC Overview
An 8-bit AVR microcontroller is a Harvard-architecture RISC processor in the broader hierarchy of microcontroller units (MCUs) within the embedded processor and semiconductor family. AVR cores execute most instructions in a single clock cycle, delivering throughput approaching 1 MIPS per MHz, which lets system designers optimize power consumption versus processing speed. MCUs of this class integrate program Flash, data SRAM, nonvolatile EEPROM, peripherals, and I/O on one die, replacing multi-chip solutions in cost- and power-sensitive embedded systems.
Key features of the ATMEGA163L-4AC include 32 programmable I/O lines, hardware connectivity interfaces comprising I2C (Two-Wire Serial Interface), SPI, and UART/USART serial ports, and on-chip peripherals including Brown-out Detect/Reset (BOD), Power-on Reset (POR), PWM outputs, and a Watchdog Timer (WDT). The L suffix denotes a wide low-voltage supply range suitable for battery operation, and the 4 MHz speed grade minimizes dynamic power draw and EMI.
Technically, the ATmega163 combines an AVR RISC core with In-System Programmable (ISP) Flash, allowing firmware updates on the assembled PCB without removing the device. Single-cycle instruction execution combined with a compact instruction set yields deterministic, efficient C- and assembly-level code, while the on-chip EEPROM retains calibration and configuration data through power cycles.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, sensor data loggers, battery-powered instrumentation, consumer appliance control, and legacy embedded system maintenance, where a modest 4 MHz clock, rich serial connectivity, and 32 I/O lines are sufficient.
Design consideration: verify the commercial temperature grade and low-speed grade match your end environment, and budget ISP header access on the PCB for field firmware updates.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA163L-4AC — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA163-8AC
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$3.33 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA163L-4AI
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA163-8AI
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$4.22 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA161L-4AI
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$5.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA162-16AI
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.98 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA163L-4AC Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | AVR |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Architecture | RISC Harvard, 1 MIPS per MHz |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 16KB (8K x 16) Flash |
| Program Memory Type | In-System Programmable FLASH |
| RAM Size | 1KB SRAM |
| EEPROM Size | 512B |
| Number of I/O | 32 |
| Connectivity | I2C, SPI, UART/USART |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect/Reset, POR, PWM, WDT |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (Commercial grade, C suffix) |
| Package | 44-TQFP (10x10 mm), Square |
| Terminal Form | Gull Wing |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial |
| Number of Terminals | 44 |
ATMEGA163L-4AC 44-tqfp (10x10 mm), square Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATMEGA163L-4AC (44-tqfp (10x10 mm), square 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 ATMEGA163L-4AC.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATMEGA163L-4AC is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panels, Battery-Powered Data Loggers, Consumer Appliance Control, Legacy Embedded System Maintenance, Sensor Interface Nodes, Educational and Prototyping Boards.
Industrial Control Panels
The ATMEGA163L-4AC fits industrial control panel controllers where 32 I/O lines drive relays, indicators, and keypads while I2C, SPI, and UART links handle inter-board communication. Its 4 MHz AVR core executing single-cycle instructions provides roughly 4 MIPS, sufficient for state-machine-based sequencing, and the watchdog timer plus brown-out detect/reset deliver the watchdogged reliability expected in factory equipment. Placed as the main MCU with a UART link to a supervisory PLC or HMI, it offers deterministic behavior without RTOS overhead; the trade-off is the commercial 0C to +70C grade, so cabinet-mounted installations with controlled ambient are required, or the industrial-grade ATMEGA163L-4AI should be substituted.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Data Loggers
For battery-powered sensor loggers, the ATMEGA163L-4AC's L-grade low-voltage operation and 4 MHz maximum clock minimize dynamic current, extending battery life in periodically-waking acquisition systems. The 512B EEPROM stores calibration constants and configuration across power cycles, while the 16KB ISP Flash accommodates logging firmware plus a boot loader for field updates over UART. Typical topology: the MCU sleeps between samples, wakes on timer or interrupt, reads a sensor over I2C or SPI, and writes records to external EEPROM or flash via SPI. The principal consideration is sleep-mode current, which should be measured against the Atmel datasheet curves at the chosen supply voltage before finalizing the battery budget.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
The ATMEGA163L-4AC serves as the main controller in consumer appliances - coffee machines, small HVAC units, and kitchen timers - where its 32 I/O lines directly drive seven-segment displays, buttons, triacs via optocouplers, and buzzer outputs, and PWM outputs enable simple heater or motor control. The 4 MHz clock keeps radiated emissions low, easing EMC compliance for cost-sensitive household products, and the internal POR plus brown-out reset eliminate external supervisor circuitry. Firmware executes on the AVR core at ~4 MIPS, ample for menu logic and timing loops. Because the part is obsolete, new appliance designs should adopt the ATMEGA162 or ATMEGA16 family; this device is best reserved for service parts and existing production lines.
Recommended
Legacy Embedded System Maintenance
The primary continuing use of the ATMEGA163L-4AC is last-time-buy and repair stock for legacy embedded systems designed around the ATmega163 die. Maintenance engineers value exact-silicon replacement: identical Flash, SRAM, EEPROM, peripheral set, and 44-TQFP footprint mean the original firmware binary programs unchanged via ISP and the board requires no rework. Sourcing strategy should combine verified distributor stock (5,168+ pieces reported across channels as of 2026-09-16) with careful date-code and counterfeit screening, since obsolete parts attract gray-market re-marking. Where exact dies are exhausted, the ATMEGA163-8AC (faster grade) or pin-compatible ATMEGA162 series are the fallback paths, with re-validation of timing-critical code.
Recommended
Sensor Interface Nodes
The ATMEGA163L-4AC works well as a sensor interface node bridging analog front-ends and a system bus: its SPI and I2C hardware ports connect ADCs, temperature and pressure sensors, while the UART streams processed data upstream at modest baud rates. The AVR core filters and scales readings at ~4 MIPS, and PWM outputs can drive actuators or indicator LEDs. Node designs typically run the MCU from a 3.3V LDO within the low-voltage L-grade envelope, keeping sensor logic levels compatible. The commercial temperature grade limits unheated outdoor deployments; use the -40C to +85C ATMEGA163L-4AI variant for harsh environments. Designers should confirm the exact supply voltage range from the Atmel datasheet, as the retrieved distributor data does not state it.
Recommended
Educational and Prototyping Boards
The ATMEGA163L-4AC remains useful in educational embedded-systems kits and prototyping boards focused on classic AVR architecture, where the 44-TQFP 10x10 mm gull-wing package teaches fine-pitch hand soldering while remaining manageable with a hobbyist iron. Its 32 I/O lines expose generous breadboard-adjacent experimentation via adapter boards, and the UART, SPI, and I2C peripherals cover the standard laboratory exercise set - serial terminal, sensor bus, and display interfacing. The 4 MHz clock simplifies timing demonstrations with crystal or RC oscillators. Because the device is obsolete, new course inventories should standardize on active family members such as the ATMEGA16-16AU, reserving ATMEGA163L-4AC units for existing lab stock.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA163L-4AC — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA163-8AC | ATMEGA163L-4AI | ATMEGA161L-4AI | ATMEGA162-16AI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) |
| Package | 44-TQFP (10x10 mm) | 44-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 44-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 44-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 44-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same |
| Max Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 8 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 16 MHz |
| Flash / SRAM / EEPROM | 16KB / 1KB / 512B | 16KB / 1KB / 512B | 16KB / 1KB / 512B | 16KB / 1KB / 512B | 16KB / 1KB / 512B |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| I/O Count | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| Connectivity | I2C, SPI, UART/USART | I2C, SPI, UART/USART | I2C, SPI, UART/USART | SPI, 2x UART (no hardware I2C) | I2C (TWI), SPI, 2x USART |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Active (recommended for new designs) |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest power speed grade in the ATmega163 family (vs ATMEGA163-8AC)
- Hardware I2C (TWI) port (vs ATMEGA161L-4AI)
- Exact-silicon legacy replacement (vs ATMEGA162-16AI)
- Honest trade-off: commercial temperature only (vs ATMEGA163L-4AI)
Design Notes
The L suffix indicates a low-voltage grade, but the retrieved distributor data does not state the exact supply range; consult the Atmel datasheet before finalizing the power tree (the ATmega163L class is typically rated for low-voltage single-supply operation - verify the exact minimum and maximum in the datasheet electrical characteristics table). Decouple VCC and AVCC pins with 100 nF ceramic capacitors placed within 5 mm of each pin, and add 10 uF bulk capacitance near the regulator. Keep AVCC clean if any analog function is used; a ferrite bead from the digital rail to AVCC is standard practice on AVR designs.
The C suffix denotes a commercial temperature grade of 0C to +70C - do not deploy this exact part in outdoor, automotive, or unheated industrial enclosures; substitute the I-suffix (-40C to +85C) variant instead. Additionally, the 4 MHz speed grade means timing loops calibrated for faster AVR variants will run slower; re-verify UART baud rates and PWM frequencies after any cross-grade substitution. Finally, since the part is obsolete, screen surplus stock for date codes and re-marked counterfeits, especially from broker channels.
For the 44-TQFP 10x10 mm gull-wing package, use a 0.5 mm pitch land pattern per the manufacturer package drawing and route the ISP programming header (MOSI, MISO, SCK, RESET, VCC, GND) to a standard 6-pin connector so firmware remains field-updatable. Provide crystal layout discipline for the 4 MHz oscillator: keep XTAL1/XTAL2 traces short, guard with ground, and place load capacitors close to the pins. Expose adequate ground plane under the device to reduce EMI and support the low emissions advantage of the 4 MHz clock.
Compliance Information
Compliance status not stated in the retrieved distributor data. The etei.com comparison page lists RoHS/REACH data for this MPN but values were not included in the retrieved snippets; verify against the manufacturer product page. Given obsolete status, many stock lots are older pre-RoSHS production - check date codes.
