ATMEGA164PA-MUR - 8-Bit AVR MCU 16KB Flash 20MHz | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA164PA-MUR β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.51 | $4.51 |
| 10 | $4.06 | $40.60 |
| 100 | $3.61 | $361.00 |
| 500 | $3.25 | $1,625.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.89 | $2,890.00 |
ATMEGA164PA-MUR Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash), data memory (SRAM), non-volatile data storage (EEPROM), and peripheral blocks such as timers, serial interfaces, and analog-to-digital converters. Within the semiconductor taxonomy, the ATmega164PA sits in the AVR ATmega family, which belongs to the 8-bit MCU class, itself a subset of embedded microcontrollers. These devices are the workhorses of embedded control, bridging the gap between simple logic and full 32-bit application processors.
Key features include 16 KB of self-programmable Flash with read-while-write capability, 1 KB SRAM, 512 B EEPROM, 32 general-purpose I/O lines, 32 general-purpose working registers, a real-time counter, three flexible timer/counters with compare modes and PWM, two USARTs, a byte-oriented Two-Wire serial interface (TWI/I2C), an 8-channel 10-bit ADC, and an on-chip 2-cycle multiplier. The picoPower technology enables ultra-low-power operation, making the device suitable for battery-powered and energy-harvesting designs.
The ATmega164PA is built on Microchip's proven AVR RISC architecture, executing 133 powerful instructions, most in a single clock cycle. This yields throughput approaching 20 MIPS at 20 MHz, balancing performance against power consumption. The device supports in-system programming and self-programming via a boot loader, simplifying field firmware updates.
Typical applications include industrial control and automation, portable battery-powered instruments, consumer electronics, motor control, sensor hubs, and communication gateways. The dual USARTs and TWI interface make it well suited for multi-protocol bridging and human-machine interface panels.
When designing with this device, pay close attention to decoupling, the reset circuit, and clock source selection. The 44-VQFN package requires careful PCB layout with a solid ground plane and adequate thermal vias under the exposed pad.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, providing engineers with a single reference for selection and replacement decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA164PA-MUR 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 ATMEGA164PA-MUR (same form factor and footprint) β differing in ADC, Instruction Set, Package, Real-Time Counter, Supply Voltage Range.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA324PA-MUR
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA644PA-MUR
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA164PA-MU
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA164P-20MUR
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$1.5 / Unit
View Datasheet βATMEGA164PA-MUR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | AVR 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory Size | 16 KB Flash (8K x 16) |
| SRAM | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 512 B |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) |
| I/O Lines | 32 |
| General Purpose Working Registers | 32 |
| Timers/Counters | 3 (with compare modes and PWM) |
| USART Interfaces | 2 |
| Two-Wire Serial Interface | 1 (byte-oriented, I2C compatible) |
| ADC | 8-channel 10-bit |
| Real-Time Counter | 1 |
| Multiplier | On-chip 2-cycle |
| Package | 44-VQFN (7x7 mm) Exposed Pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Instruction Set | 133 powerful instructions, most single clock cycle |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
ATMEGA164PA-MUR Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PB0 β Port B, bit 0 (also XCK0/T0) |
| Pin 2 | PB1 β Port B, bit 1 (also T1/CLKO) |
| Pin 3 | PB2 β Port B, bit 2 (also INT2/AIN0) |
| Pin 4 | PB3 β Port B, bit 3 (also OC0A/AIN1) |
| Pin 5 | PB4 β Port B, bit 4 (also OC0B/SS) |
| Pin 6 | PB5 β Port B, bit 5 (also MOSI/OC1A) |
| Pin 7 | PB6 β Port B, bit 6 (also MISO/OC1B) |
| Pin 8 | PB7 β Port B, bit 7 (also SCK/OC2A) |
| Pin 9 | RESET β Reset input (active low) |
| Pin 10 | VCC β Digital supply voltage |
| Pin 11 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 12 | XTAL2 β Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 13 | XTAL1 β Crystal oscillator input / external clock |
| Pin 14 | PD0 β Port D, bit 0 (also RXD0) |
| Pin 15 | PD1 β Port D, bit 1 (also TXD0) |
| Pin 16 | PD2 β Port D, bit 2 (also RXD1/INT0) |
| Pin 17 | PD3 β Port D, bit 3 (also TXD1/INT1) |
| Pin 18 | PD4 β Port D, bit 4 (also OC1B/XCK1) |
| Pin 19 | PD5 β Port D, bit 5 (also OC1A) |
| Pin 20 | PD6 β Port D, bit 6 (also OC2B/ICP1) |
| Pin 21 | PD7 β Port D, bit 7 (also T0) |
| Pin 22 | PC0 β Port C, bit 0 (also SCL/ADC0) |
| Pin 23 | PC1 β Port C, bit 1 (also SDA/ADC1) |
| Pin 24 | PC2 β Port C, bit 2 (also TCK/ADC2) |
| Pin 25 | PC3 β Port C, bit 3 (also TMS/ADC3) |
| Pin 26 | PC4 β Port C, bit 4 (also TDO/ADC4) |
| Pin 27 | PC5 β Port C, bit 5 (also TDI/ADC5) |
| Pin 28 | PC6 β Port C, bit 6 (also TOSC1/ADC6) |
| Pin 29 | PC7 β Port C, bit 7 (also TOSC2/ADC7) |
| Pin 30 | AVCC β Analog supply voltage for ADC |
| Pin 31 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 32 | AREF β Analog reference voltage for ADC |
| Pin 33 | PA7 β Port A, bit 7 (also ADC7) |
| Pin 34 | PA6 β Port A, bit 6 (also ADC6) |
| Pin 35 | PA5 β Port A, bit 5 (also ADC5) |
| Pin 36 | PA4 β Port A, bit 4 (also ADC4) |
| Pin 37 | PA3 β Port A, bit 3 (also ADC3) |
| Pin 38 | PA2 β Port A, bit 2 (also ADC2) |
| Pin 39 | PA1 β Port A, bit 1 (also ADC1) |
| Pin 40 | PA0 β Port A, bit 0 (also ADC0) |
| Pin 41 | VCC β Digital supply voltage |
| Pin 42 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 43 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 44 | GND β Ground (exposed pad) |
Typical Applications
ATMEGA164PA-MUR is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and Automation, Portable Battery-Powered Instruments, Consumer Electronics and Appliances, Motor Control and PWM Actuation, Sensor Hubs and Data Acquisition, Communication Gateways and Protocol Bridging.
Industrial Control and Automation
The ATMEGA164PA-MUR fits industrial control and automation because its 32 general-purpose I/O lines, three timer/counters with PWM, and dual USARTs can directly drive relays, read limit switches, and communicate with PLCs or supervisory systems. Operating from 1.8 V to 5.5 V, it interfaces cleanly with 5 V industrial logic while its -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature range covers most factory-floor environments. In a typical control board, the MCU scans digital inputs, executes a ladder-logic-equivalent state machine, and updates PWM outputs for motor or heater control. The 8-channel 10-bit ADC samples analog sensors such as thermocouples or pressure transducers. Unlike a 32-bit MCU, the 8-bit AVR core keeps BOM cost and power low while still delivering 20 MIPS, which is ample for deterministic control loops in the low-kilohertz range.
Recommended
Portable Battery-Powered Instruments
The ATMEGA164PA-MUR is well suited to portable battery-powered instruments because its picoPower technology and 1.8 V to 5.5 V supply range allow direct operation from single-cell Li-Ion or multi-cell alkaline packs without a boost converter. Multiple sleep modes reduce current to microamp levels between measurements, extending battery life in handheld multimeters, data loggers, and medical monitors. The on-chip 2-cycle multiplier accelerates filtering and scaling math, while the 8-channel 10-bit ADC digitizes sensor signals. In a typical design, the MCU wakes on a timer interrupt, samples the ADC, processes the reading, updates an LCD via the TWI or SPI interface, and returns to sleep. The trade-off versus a 32-bit Cortex-M0+ is lower throughput, but for sub-megahertz sampling rates the 8-bit AVR delivers comparable battery life at lower cost.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics and Appliances
The ATMEGA164PA-MUR serves consumer electronics and appliances where cost, reliability, and peripheral integration matter more than raw compute. Its 16 KB Flash holds user-interface firmware, motor-control routines, and communication stacks, while 32 I/O lines drive buttons, LEDs, and relays directly. Two USARTs and a TWI interface enable communication with display modules, touch controllers, or wireless modules. In a washing machine or air purifier, the MCU reads user inputs, monitors sensors through the 10-bit ADC, and controls triacs or MOSFETs via PWM. The 20 MHz AVR core executes 133 instructions, most in one cycle, providing deterministic response for safety interlocks. Compared with a 32-bit alternative, the ATMEGA164PA-MUR reduces BOM cost and simplifies the power supply, since it runs directly from 5 V or 3.3 V rails without level shifting.
Recommended
Motor Control and PWM Actuation
The ATMEGA164PA-MUR supports motor control and PWM actuation through three flexible timer/counters with compare modes and PWM outputs. These timers can generate complementary PWM pairs for H-bridge drivers, with dead-time insertion handled in firmware. The 8-channel 10-bit ADC samples current-shunt or back-EMF feedback for closed-loop speed control. In a typical BLDC or brushed-DC controller, the MCU runs a PI loop at several kilohertz, updating duty cycles while monitoring fault inputs. The 2-cycle hardware multiplier speeds up the control math, and the 20 MHz core provides enough headroom for sensorless commutation. Compared with a dedicated motor-control IC, the ATMEGA164PA-MUR offers greater flexibility and easier firmware customization, at the cost of requiring the designer to implement protection logic in software.
Recommended
Sensor Hubs and Data Acquisition
The ATMEGA164PA-MUR functions as a sensor hub and data-acquisition controller because its 8-channel 10-bit ADC, TWI interface, and dual USARTs can aggregate data from multiple sensors and forward it to a host processor or gateway. In an environmental monitoring node, the MCU polls temperature, humidity, and gas sensors over I2C, applies calibration and averaging in firmware, and transmits results over UART or a wireless module. The 1 KB SRAM supports buffering of several hundred samples, while 512 B EEPROM stores calibration constants and configuration across power cycles. The picoPower architecture allows duty-cycled operation, waking only to sample and transmit. Compared with an analog-only signal chain, this approach adds programmability and digital calibration, improving accuracy and reducing external component count.
Recommended
Communication Gateways and Protocol Bridging
The ATMEGA164PA-MUR is effective in communication gateways and protocol bridging because it integrates two independent USARTs plus a byte-oriented Two-Wire serial interface, allowing simultaneous translation between UART, I2C, and custom serial protocols. In an industrial gateway, one USART connects to a legacy RS-232 or RS-485 field bus while the second links to a wireless module or host controller; the TWI port manages local sensors or EEPROM. The 16 KB Flash accommodates protocol stacks and buffering logic, and the 20 MHz core handles message parsing with low latency. The 1.8 V to 5.5 V range simplifies interfacing to both 3.3 V and 5 V transceivers. Compared with a software-only bridge on a 32-bit MCU, the ATMEGA164PA-MUR offers a lower-cost, lower-power solution for moderate baud rates up to several hundred kilobaud.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA164PA-MUR β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA324PA-MUR | ATMEGA644PA-MUR | ATMEGA164PA-MU | ATMEGA164PA-AUR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-VQFN (7x7 mm) | 44-VQFN (7x7 mm) - same | 44-VQFN (7x7 mm) - same | 44-VQFN (7x7 mm) - same | 44-TQFP - different |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 32 KB | 64 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB |
| SRAM | 1 KB | 2 KB | 4 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 512 B | 1 KB | 2 KB | 512 B | 512 B |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Lines | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| ADC Channels | 8-channel 10-bit | 8-channel 10-bit | 8-channel 10-bit | 8-channel 10-bit | 8-channel 10-bit |
| USART Interfaces | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Key Differentiators
- Pin-compatible memory upgrade path (vs ATMEGA324PA-MUR)
- Lower cost for memory-constrained designs (vs ATMEGA644PA-MUR)
- picoPower efficiency versus previous generation (vs ATMEGA164P-20MUR)
Design Notes
Decouple VCC and AVCC with 100 nF ceramic capacitors placed as close as possible to the pins, and add a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the regulator output. AVCC should be connected to VCC through a low-pass filter (10 uH inductor or ferrite bead plus 100 nF) to isolate ADC noise. AREF should be decoupled with 100 nF to ground. Estimated: at 20 MHz and 5 V, the ATmega164PA draws roughly 10-15 mA active; ensure the regulator can supply this plus I/O load.
The 44-VQFN package has an exposed thermal pad that must be soldered to a ground plane with a grid of thermal vias for heat dissipation and electrical grounding. Follow the land pattern in the Microchip datasheet. Keep the crystal and its load capacitors within a few millimeters of XTAL1/XTAL2, and guard them with a ground ring. Route the reset line away from switching nodes and add a 100 nF capacitor from RESET to GND for noise immunity.
Do not leave the RESET pin floating; use an external pull-up (10 kOhm) plus the recommended capacitor. Ensure the clock source is configured correctly in the fuse bits, as an incorrect fuse setting can brick the device. When migrating from ATMEGA164PA-MUR to ATMEGA324PA-MUR or ATMEGA644PA-MUR, verify that the device signature bytes and memory map assumptions in your firmware are updated, since the boot loader and linker scripts may reference the original part.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per distributor listings. The ATMEGA164PA-MUR is an industrial-temperature (-40 C to +85 C) device and is not AEC-Q100 qualified; automotive-grade variants would be required for automotive use.
