ATMEGA164A-CU - 8-bit AVR MCU 16KB Flash 20MHz BGA | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA164A-CU β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.03 | $5.03 |
| 10 | $4.78 | $47.80 |
| 100 | $4.53 | $453.00 |
| 500 | $4.28 | $2,140.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.03 | $4,030.00 |
ATMEGA164A-CU Overview
A microcontroller unit (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a processor core, memory, and programmable peripherals on one die. Within the semiconductor hierarchy, the ATmega164A belongs to the AVR family of 8-bit RISC microcontrollers, which sit under the broader categories of microcontrollers, embedded processors, and integrated circuits. MCUs of this class are the workhorses of embedded electronics, executing control, sensing, and communication tasks in a single low-power chip.
Key features of the ATMEGA164A-CU include an advanced RISC architecture with 133 powerful instructions, most executing in a single clock cycle; 32 x 8-bit general-purpose working registers; and an on-chip 2-cycle hardware multiplier for efficient math. The 16 KB self-programmable FLASH supports read-while-write operation and in-system programming (ISP), while the 512 B EEPROM retains calibration data through power cycles. Supply voltage spans 2.7 V to 5.5 V, allowing operation from single-cell lithium or 5 V industrial rails.
Architecturally, the AVR Harvard-structure core accesses program and data memory through separate buses, enabling most instructions to complete in one cycle. Fully static operation permits clocking down to DC for ultra-low-power sleep modes, while a rich peripheral set of timers, USART, SPI, and analog comparators offloads the CPU. Watchdog timer, power-on reset, and brown-out detection improve system robustness.
Typical applications include industrial control and automation nodes, consumer appliances, battery-powered handheld instruments, and sensor acquisition systems where a compact 5 x 5 mm BGA footprint and wide 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply range are valuable. Development is supported by Microchip MPLAB tools and the MightyCore Arduino hardware package.
When designing with this part, note that a fine-pitch 49-ball BGA requires careful PCB fan-out and is harder to rework than TQFP variants of the same family; choose the ATMEGA164A-AU TQFP package if field serviceability matters.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, cross-reference findings, and package-compatibility guidance not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA164A-CU 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 ATMEGA164A-CU (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Instruction Set, Package, RoHS Status, Supply Voltage Range.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA324A-CU
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA324PA-CU
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA164PA-CU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$2.15 / Unit
View Datasheet βATMEGA164A-CU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | AVR 8-bit RISC |
| Data Bus Width | 8 bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Throughput | 20 MIPS at 20 MHz |
| FLASH Program Memory | 16 KB (8K x 16) |
| EEPROM | 512 B |
| SRAM | 1 KB |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.7 V to 5.5 V |
| General Purpose I/O | 32 lines |
| Instruction Set | 133 instructions, most single-cycle |
| Hardware Multiplier | On-chip 2-cycle multiplier |
| Working Registers | 32 x 8 bit |
| Programming | In-System Programmable (ISP), read-while-write |
| Package | 49-VFBGA (5 x 5 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lifecycle Status | Active |
| RoHS Status | unknown |
ATMEGA164A-CU 49-vfbga (5 x 5 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATMEGA164A-CU (49-vfbga (5 x 5 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 ATMEGA164A-CU.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATMEGA164A-CU is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and Automation, Battery-Powered Handheld Instruments, Sensor Acquisition Systems, Consumer Appliances, Embedded Educational and Maker Projects, Motor Control and PWM Drivers.
Industrial Control and Automation
The ATMEGA164A-CU fits industrial control nodes because its 2.7 V to 5.5 V tolerance accepts noisy 5 V factory supplies, its 32 GPIO lines drive relays, optocouplers, and status LEDs directly, and its USART and SPI interfaces link to fieldbus transceivers and external ADCs. The on-chip 2-cycle hardware multiplier accelerates PID loop math at 20 MIPS, while the watchdog timer and brown-out detection maintain safe states during power disturbances. Its 16 KB FLASH with read-while-write allows field firmware updates over the existing serial link without a bootloader chip, reducing maintenance cost in installed automation equipment.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Handheld Instruments
Battery instruments benefit from the ATMEGA164A-CU's direct 3 V coin-cell or Li-ion operation without a regulator, since the supply range of 2.7 V to 5.5 V spans the full discharge curve. The AVR core's static operation and multiple sleep modes let designers duty-cycle sensing and display updates, cutting average current dramatically versus always-on polling. The 512 B EEPROM stores calibration coefficients that survive battery replacement. In a handheld meter, the 5 x 5 mm BGA frees PCB area for the display and battery cavity, while the 2-cycle multiplier accelerates RMS computation in the 20 MHz core.
Recommended
Sensor Acquisition Systems
For distributed sensor nodes, the ATMEGA164A-CU combines an on-chip analog comparator, eight-channel-capable ADC inputs through its port pins, and SPI for external high-resolution converters. Its 1 KB SRAM buffers sample arrays locally, and the USART streams processed data to a wireless module or RS-485 transceiver. The 133-instruction single-cycle RISC core processes filtering and thresholding in real time at up to 20 MIPS. The compact 49-VFBGA (5 x 5 mm) suits dense multi-node PCBs, and ISP programming allows sensor calibration firmware to be flashed after final assembly on the production line.
Recommended
Consumer Appliances
White-goods and small-appliance control boards use the ATMEGA164A-CU for its low cost per function, robust 5 V operation, and rich timer set that generates PWM for motor drives, buzzer tones, and LED dimming. The 16 KB FLASH holds complete appliance state machines, and the real-time counter maintains clock functions during standby. Power-on reset and brown-out detection ensure predictable restart after mains brownouts, a common field condition. The BGA package enables two-sided compact PCBs in slim appliance housings, while EEPROM preserves user settings through power cycles without external NVRAM.
Recommended
Embedded Educational and Maker Projects
The ATmega164 family is explicitly supported by the open-source MightyCore Arduino hardware package, making the ATMEGA164A-CU accessible for education and prototyping with familiar Arduino APIs. Its AVR instruction set is a widely taught architecture, and the single-cycle execution model simplifies assembly-level teaching. Designers can move from breadboard TQFP variants to a final compact BGA build without firmware changes, since register maps are identical across packages. ICSP programming with an MPLAB SNAP keeps tooling cost near zero, and the 2.7 V to 5.5 V range tolerates 5 V Arduino shields and 3.3 V modules alike.
Recommended
Motor Control and PWM Drivers
The ATMEGA164A-CU generates multiple hardware PWM channels from its timer units, enabling brushed DC motor speed control, stepper sequencing, and servo actuation without software-timed loops. Its 20 MIPS headroom executes commutation and current-limiting algorithms, aided by the 2-cycle hardware multiplier for control-law math. GPIO drives MOSFET gate drivers directly at 5 V logic levels, and the analog comparator supports cycle-by-cycle current limiting in low-cost drives. The wide 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply accommodates logic rails derived from motor bus regulators, and brown-out detection prevents erratic gate outputs during supply sags.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA164A-CU β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA324A-CU | ATMEGA324PA-CU | ATMEGA164PA-CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 49-VFBGA (5 x 5 mm) | 49-VFBGA (5 x 5 mm) - same | 49-VFBGA (5 x 5 mm) - same | 49-VFBGA (5 x 5 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| FLASH Program Memory | 16 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB |
| SRAM | 1 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 512 B | 1 KB | 1 KB | 512 B |
| Maximum Clock | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 2.7 V to 5.5 V | 2.7 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (picopower) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (picopower) |
Key Differentiators
- Half the FLASH at lower cost (vs ATMEGA324A-CU)
- Standard-generation supply range (vs ATMEGA164PA-CU)
- Ultra-compact footprint vs TQFP siblings (vs ATMEGA164A-AU)
Design Notes
The 49-ball VFBGA (5 x 5 mm) uses a 0.8 mm-pitch ball grid that cannot be visually inspected or hand-reworked without X-ray and BGA rework stations. Fan out power and ground balls to internal planes via microvias or in-pad vias, and reserve at least two signal layers for the 32 GPIO breakout. During prototyping, validate the footprint against the Microchip package drawing before ordering stencils - a single wrong pad definition on a BGA is costly to correct.
Decouple each VCC/GND ball pair with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 2 mm of the ball via, plus one 10 uF bulk capacitor near the device. At 20 MHz with heavy GPIO switching, transient currents on the internal planes can induce ground bounce on BGA connections that a TQFP layout would tolerate. If using sleep modes for battery designs, ensure the brown-out detector level is set below the minimum battery voltage on the discharge curve to avoid spurious resets.
Fuse settings are the most common field failure: an incorrect CKOPT/clock-source fuse after ISP programming can brick the part and require high-voltage parallel programming for recovery. Always program fuses before flashing application code, and verify the clock source selection matches your crystal or internal RC choice. When migrating firmware from ATmega32/16 legacy parts, remember the ATmega164A uses an enhanced register map and I/O memory offsets, so direct assembly ports need review.
Compliance Information
The C suffix denotes Microchip lead-free BGA packaging. Explicit RoHS/REACH/halogen-free certificates were not present in the retrieved web data and must be verified on Microchip's product page.
