ATMEGA16L-8PU - 8MHz AVR MCU 16KB Flash DIP-40 | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA16L-8PU ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.62 | $5.62 |
| 10 | $5.06 | $50.60 |
| 100 | $4.36 | $436.00 |
| 500 | $3.98 | $1,990.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.55 | $3,550.00 |
ATMEGA16L-8PU Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a self-contained computing device that integrates a processor core, program memory, data memory, and peripherals on a single chip. The ATmega family belongs to the AVR architecture, which executes most instructions in a single clock cycle, and it sits within the broader hierarchy of microcontrollers -> embedded processors -> semiconductors. AVR MCUs are widely used in education, industrial control, and hobbyist embedded design because of their simple architecture and rich tool support.
Key features include the Advanced RISC architecture with 133 powerful instructions, 32 x 8-bit general-purpose working registers, an 8-channel 10-bit ADC, and an on-chip JTAG interface for boundary-scan and on-chip debugging. The L suffix denotes a low-voltage 'L' grade rated for 2.7V to 5.5V operation at up to 8MHz, which makes this part ideal for battery-powered designs where a standard 16MHz 4.5V-5.5V part would be unsuitable.
The ATMEGA16L-8PU integrates a USART serial port, SPI, and TWI (I2C-compatible) interfaces, three hardware timers with PWM outputs, and an internal RC oscillator option that reduces external component count. The DIP-40 package is through-hole mountable, breadboard-friendly, and easily field-replaceable, which distinguishes it from surface-mount TQFP and QFN siblings such as the ATMEGA16L-8AU or ATMEGA16L-8MC.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, sensor data loggers, motor control, educational lab boards, and legacy-equipment maintenance where a 5V through-hole MCU is required.
Designers should note that Flash endurance is rated for thousands of erase/write cycles, so frequent data logging should use the dedicated EEPROM rather than program Flash.
This page synthesizes verified distributor data, pin-compatible alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA16L-8PU — 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 ATMEGA16L-8PU (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Communication Interfaces, Package, EEPROM, Operating Temperature, ADC Resolution.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA16A-PU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA16L-8PI
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.98 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA16L-8PC
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA16-16PU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$3.88 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA16L-8PU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit AVR RISC |
| Max Clock Speed | 8 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB (8K x 16) In-System Programmable |
| SRAM | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 512 B |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.7 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Ports | 32 I/O (4 x 8-bit ports: PORTA-PORTD) |
| ADC | 8-channel 10-bit |
| Communication Interfaces | USART, SPI, TWI (I2C-compatible) |
| Timers | 3 (two 8-bit, one 16-bit with PWM) |
| JTAG | Yes (boundary-scan and on-chip debug) |
| Instructions | 133 instructions, most single-cycle |
| General Purpose Registers | 32 x 8-bit |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C |
| Package | 40-PDIP (0.600 inch, through-hole) |
| Mounting Type | Through Hole |
| Oscillator | Internal RC oscillator and external crystal options |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (green part) |
| Lifecycle Status | Active |
ATMEGA16L-8PU Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PB0 (XCK/T0) — Port B bit 0 / USART external clock / Timer0 external clock |
| Pin 2 | PB1 (T1) — Port B bit 1 / Timer1 external clock |
| Pin 3 | PB2 (AIN0/INT2) — Port B bit 2 / Analog comparator input 0 / External interrupt 2 |
| Pin 4 | PB3 (AIN1/OC0) — Port B bit 3 / Analog comparator input 1 / Timer0 PWM output |
| Pin 5 | PB4 (SS) — Port B bit 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 6 | PB5 (MOSI) — Port B bit 5 / SPI master output, slave input / ISP programming |
| Pin 7 | PB6 (MISO) — Port B bit 6 / SPI master input, slave output / ISP programming |
| Pin 8 | PB7 (SCK) — Port B bit 7 / SPI serial clock / ISP programming |
| Pin 9 | RESET — Active-low reset input / SPI programming reset |
| Pin 10 | VCC — Digital supply voltage (2.7V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 11 | GND — Digital ground |
| Pin 12 | XTAL1 — Crystal/inverter input for external clock or oscillator |
| Pin 13 | XTAL2 — Crystal/inverter output for external crystal |
| Pin 14 | PD0 (RXD) — Port D bit 0 / USART receive data |
| Pin 15 | PD1 (TXD) — Port D bit 1 / USART transmit data |
| Pin 16 | PD2 (INT0) — Port D bit 2 / External interrupt 0 |
| Pin 17 | PD3 (INT1) — Port D bit 3 / External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 18 | PD4 (OC1B) — Port D bit 4 / Timer1 PWM output B |
| Pin 19 | PD5 (OC1A) — Port D bit 5 / Timer1 PWM output A |
| Pin 20 | PD6 (ICP1) — Port D bit 6 / Timer1 input capture |
| Pin 21 | PD7 (OC2) — Port D bit 7 / Timer2 PWM output |
| Pin 22 | PC0 (SCL) — Port C bit 0 / TWI serial clock |
| Pin 23 | PC1 (SDA) — Port C bit 1 / TWI serial data |
| Pin 24 | PC2 (TCK) — Port C bit 2 / JTAG test clock |
| Pin 25 | PC3 (TMS) — Port C bit 3 / JTAG test mode select |
| Pin 26 | PC4 (TDO) — Port C bit 4 / JTAG test data output |
| Pin 27 | PC5 (TDI) — Port C bit 5 / JTAG test data input |
| Pin 28 | PC6 (TOSC1) — Port C bit 6 / Timer2 oscillator input (32.768 kHz RTC crystal) |
| Pin 29 | PC7 (TOSC2) — Port C bit 7 / Timer2 oscillator output |
| Pin 30 | AVCC — ADC supply voltage - connect to VCC through low-pass filter when ADC used |
| Pin 31 | GND — Analog/ADC ground reference |
| Pin 32 | AREF — ADC analog reference voltage |
| Pin 33 | PA7 (ADC7) — Port A bit 7 / ADC channel 7 |
| Pin 34 | PA6 (ADC6) — Port A bit 6 / ADC channel 6 |
| Pin 35 | PA5 (ADC5) — Port A bit 5 / ADC channel 5 |
| Pin 36 | PA4 (ADC4) — Port A bit 4 / ADC channel 4 |
| Pin 37 | PA3 (ADC3) — Port A bit 3 / ADC channel 3 |
| Pin 38 | PA2 (ADC2) — Port A bit 2 / ADC channel 2 |
| Pin 39 | PA1 (ADC1) — Port A bit 1 / ADC channel 1 |
| Pin 40 | PA0 (ADC0) — Port A bit 0 / ADC channel 0 |
Typical Applications
ATMEGA16L-8PU is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panels, Sensor Data Loggers, Educational Lab Boards, Motor Control and PWM Systems, Legacy Equipment Repair and Maintenance, Human-Machine Interfaces and Keypad Displays.
Industrial Control Panels
The ATMEGA16L-8PU fits industrial control panels because its 32 I/O lines across four ports drive relays, optocouplers, and indicator banks directly, while the -40C to +85C operating range covers unconditioned cabinet environments. The 8-channel 10-bit ADC digitizes analog process signals such as 0-10V or 4-20mA (via conditioning resistors), and the TWI and SPI buses connect external RTCs, EEPROMs, and display controllers. In a typical panel design the MCU runs at 5V for noise immunity, with the JTAG interface enabled for field diagnostics. The through-hole DIP-40 package also simplifies socketed, field-replaceable service boards common in legacy industrial equipment.
Recommended
Sensor Data Loggers
For battery-powered data loggers, the ATMEGA16L-8PU operates from 2.7V to 5.5V, allowing direct 3.3V or 2-cell battery supplies without a regulator, and its power-down sleep mode reduces current to microamp levels per the datasheet. The 10-bit ADC samples up to 8 external channels, while the 512B EEPROM stores calibration constants and the 16KB Flash retains logged firmware. A typical logger pairs the MCU with an SPI SD-card bridge or TWI EEPROM for extended storage, waking on timer or external interrupt to sample periodically. The internal RC oscillator option removes the crystal, saving board area and startup time in low-duty-cycle designs.
Recommended
Educational Lab Boards
The ATMEGA16L-8PU is a mainstay of university embedded-systems labs because the 40-pin PDIP inserts directly into breadboards and sockets, students can probe every port with a multimeter, and the part programs over low-cost USBasp or ArduinoISP programmers through its SPI header. The AVR architecture's 133 mostly single-cycle instructions and 32 general-purpose registers make assembly teaching tractable, while the JTAG interface supports step-debugging with inexpensive JTAG ICE clones. Lab exercises typically cover GPIO, interrupts, timers with PWM, the 10-bit ADC, and USART-to-PC serial links. The wide 2.7V-5.5V supply range also lets boards run from bench supplies or USB power.
Recommended
Motor Control and PWM Systems
The ATMEGA16L-8PU handles small DC and stepper motor control using its three hardware timers, including the 16-bit Timer1 which generates center-aligned PWM for bidirectional H-bridge drive. At 8MHz the PWM resolution reaches 10 bits at moderate frequencies, adequate for fan, pump, and robotics drive loops, and pins PB3/PD4-PD7 provide complementary hardware PWM channels that interface to MOSFET gate drivers or integrated bridges. The 10-bit ADC reads back current-sense shunts for closed-loop torque limiting, and the USART reports telemetry to a host. Its wide 2.7V-5.5V supply allows the logic rail to match low-voltage gate-driver thresholds directly.
Recommended
Legacy Equipment Repair and Maintenance
The ATMEGA16L-8PU is frequently specified in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of equipment designed around Atmel ATmega16 MCUs, including test fixtures, medical accessories, and building-control boards that used socketed DIP processors. Because the ATmega16 family has remained pin-compatible across PC/PU/PI/PN/A grades, a failed ATMEGA16L-8PC or ATMEGA16L-8PI can be replaced with this part after fuse-bit verification, restoring operation without firmware changes in most cases. The 16KB ISP Flash accepts reflashing through the on-board SPI header, and the JTAG port supports boundary-scan testing of the surrounding board. Keeping a stock of this active part mitigates end-of-life risk on legacy DIP AVR designs.
Recommended
Human-Machine Interfaces and Keypad Displays
With 32 I/O lines, the ATMEGA16L-8PU scans matrix keypads of 4x4 or larger directly while simultaneously driving multiplexed 7-segment banks or interfacing a character LCD on PORTA in 4-bit mode. The 10-bit ADC supports analog resistive-touch or potentiometer inputs for menu navigation, and the USART or TWI bus links the HMI node to a main controller. Running at 5V from a shared panel supply gives solid noise margins on long ribbon cables, while the L grade still permits 3.3V operation for portable hand units. Debouncing is handled in timer interrupts, leaving the main loop free for display refresh sequencing at flicker-free multiplex rates.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA16L-8PU — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA16A-PU | ATMEGA16L-8PI | ATMEGA16L-8PC | ATMEGA16-16PU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 40-PDIP | 40-PDIP - same | 40-PDIP - same | 40-PDIP - same | 40-PDIP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash / SRAM / EEPROM | 16KB / 1KB / 512B | 16KB / 1KB / 512B | 16KB / 1KB / 512B | 16KB / 1KB / 512B | 16KB / 1KB / 512B |
| Max Clock Speed | 8 MHz | 16 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 16 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.7 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.7 V to 5.5 V | 2.7 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | 0C to +70C | -40C to +85C |
| ADC | 8-channel 10-bit | 8-channel 10-bit | 8-channel 10-bit | 8-channel 10-bit | 8-channel 10-bit |
| JTAG Debug | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Wide 2.7V-5.5V low-voltage supply range (vs ATMEGA16A-PU)
- Higher clock headroom in refreshed silicon (vs ATMEGA16-16PU)
- Extended temperature qualification (vs ATMEGA16L-8PC)
- On-chip JTAG debugging (vs ATMEGA168-20PU)
Design Notes
Provide decoupling capacitors on both VCC (pin 10) and AVCC (pin 30): a 100nF ceramic directly at each pin plus a 10uF bulk capacitor per supply rail. AVCC must be connected to VCC even if the ADC is unused; when the ADC is used, connect AVCC through an LC low-pass filter (10uH + 100nF) per the manufacturer datasheet power-supply guidance to keep ADC noise low. AREF should carry only a 100nF capacitor to GND, or be driven from a precision reference for better ADC accuracy.
Fuse bits are the most common field failure cause: an external crystal requires the correct CKOPT/fuse-low settings, and selecting an invalid clock source can brick the part (recoverable only with a high-voltage parallel programmer). When swapping in an ATMEGA16A-PU replacement, verify that the 'A' variant fuse map matches your original fuse configuration before reprogramming. Also respect the voltage-frequency curve: at 2.7V-3.3V supplies the device is rated only to 8MHz; running the L-grade at 5V allows faster non-L grades instead.
On DIP-40 through-hole layouts, keep the crystal and its 22pF load capacitors within 10mm of XTAL1/XTAL2 (pins 12-13) and run a ground guard trace between them. Route analog signals from PORTA (pins 33-40) away from USART/TXI switching lines; the shared analog ground on pin 31 should join digital ground at a single star point near the supply entry. If JTAG is enabled on PC2-PC5, remember those pins are not available as GPIO unless the JTAGEN fuse is cleared.
Compliance Information
Distributor listings (FindIC) describe the ATMEGA16L-8PU as a GREEN RoHS-compliant part. REACH and conflict-minerals status not stated in provided data.
