ATMEGA48PA-MNR - 8-Bit AVR MCU 20MHz 4KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA48PA-MNR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.42 | $1.42 |
| 10 | $1.28 | $12.80 |
| 100 | $1.12 | $112.00 |
| 500 | $0.98 | $490.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.86 | $860.00 |
ATMEGA48PA-MNR Overview
An 8-bit AVR microcontroller is a single-chip computer built around an Advanced RISC architecture in which 131 powerful instructions are mostly executed in a single clock cycle, placing it at the top of the MCU hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor device. The ATmega family adds in-system programmable (ISP) Flash and a picoPower technology core, making it a staple of the broader power-management-aware embedded design ecosystem.
Key features include 20 MIPS throughput at 20 MHz, two 8-bit timer/counters and one 16-bit timer with compare modes, a 10-bit ADC with 8 channels, a programmable Watchdog Timer with separate on-chip oscillator, and six sleep modes including Idle, ADC Noise Reduction, and Power-save. Operating voltage spans 1.8 V to 5.5 V, supporting both 3.3 V and 5 V systems.
The picoPower core reduces active current consumption dramatically compared with the earlier ATmega48, while retaining full 105 C industrial temperature capability per the Mouser listing. The enhanced RISC Harvard architecture with 32 general-purpose working registers gives single-cycle access to registers, and hardware multipliers speed up math-intensive firmware.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor nodes, consumer appliances, HVAC and motor control boards, and industrial automation slaves using UART/SPI/TWI interfaces.
Design consideration: keep the VCC/GND pairs on the VQFN center pads properly decoupled with 100 nF ceramics placed within 2 mm of the pads, since the MLF power pads are internal to the footprint.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-package drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA48PA-MNR — 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 ATMEGA48PA-MNR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Packaging, Timers, Number of I/O, Communication Interfaces.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA48PB-MNR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$0.88 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA48A-MNR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA88PA-MNR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →ATMEGA168PA-MNR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.36 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA48PA-15MZ
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$0.68 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA48V-10MNR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA48PA-MNR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | AVR 8-bit RISC |
| CPU Speed | 20 MHz (20 MIPS) |
| Flash Memory | 4 KB (2K x 16) ISP |
| EEPROM | 256 B |
| SRAM | 512 B |
| General Purpose I/O | 23 |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +105C |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| ADC | 10-bit, 8 channels |
| Communication Interfaces | USART, SPI, TWI (I2C) |
| Sleep Modes | 6 (incl. Power-down, Power-save) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, with separate oscillator |
| Package | 32-VQFN (MLF) 5x5 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (MNR) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (Green package) |
ATMEGA48PA-MNR Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PD3 — Port D bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 2 | PD4 — Port D bit 4 (digital I/O / XCK) |
| Pin 3 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 4 | VCC — Digital supply voltage |
| Pin 5 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 6 | VCC — Digital supply voltage |
| Pin 7 | PB7 — Port B bit 7 (XTAL2/TOSC2) |
| Pin 8 | PB6 — Port B bit 6 (XTAL1/TOSC1) |
| Pin 9 | PB5 — Port B bit 5 (SCK) |
| Pin 10 | PB4 — Port B bit 4 (MISO) |
| Pin 11 | PB3 — Port B bit 3 (MOSI/OC2A) |
| Pin 12 | PB2 — Port B bit 2 (SS/OC1B) |
| Pin 13 | PB1 — Port B bit 1 (OC1A) |
| Pin 14 | PB0 — Port B bit 0 (ICP1/CLKO) |
| Pin 15 | PD7 — Port D bit 7 (AIN1) |
| Pin 16 | PD6 — Port D bit 6 (AIN0) |
| Pin 17 | PD5 — Port D bit 5 (T1) |
| Pin 18 | PC6 — Port C bit 6 (RESET, active low) |
| Pin 19 | PC5 — Port C bit 5 (ADC5/SCL) |
| Pin 20 | PC4 — Port C bit 4 (ADC4/SDA) |
| Pin 21 | PC3 — Port C bit 3 (ADC3) |
| Pin 22 | PC2 — Port C bit 2 (ADC2) |
| Pin 23 | PC1 — Port C bit 1 (ADC1) |
| Pin 24 | PC0 — Port C bit 0 (ADC0) |
| Pin 25 | ADC7 — Analog input channel 7 |
| Pin 26 | AREF — Analog reference voltage |
| Pin 27 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 28 | AVCC — ADC supply voltage |
| Pin 29 | ADC6 — Analog input channel 6 |
| Pin 30 | PD0 — Port D bit 0 (RXD) |
| Pin 31 | PD1 — Port D bit 1 (TXD) |
| Pin 32 | PD2 — Port D bit 2 (INT0) |
Typical Applications
ATMEGA48PA-MNR is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes, Industrial Automation Slave Nodes, Consumer Appliance Control, Motor Control and PWM Drivers, Hobby, Maker and Educational Platforms, Medical and Health Monitoring Accessories.
Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes
The ATMEGA48PA-MNR is a strong fit for coin-cell and AA-powered wireless sensor nodes because its picoPower core draws very low current in Power-down sleep while the 20 MHz AVR core wakes quickly to sample sensors. In a typical node the MCU sleeps between radio or sensor transactions, samples a 10-bit ADC channel for temperature or humidity, then returns to sleep; the 4 KB Flash is usually sufficient for sensor drivers plus a simple protocol stack. Using the Watchdog Timer as a periodic wake source eliminates an external RTC, cutting BOM cost. The trade-off versus a dedicated low-power MCU is modest sleep current, but the PA generation narrows that gap substantially over the older ATmega48.
Recommended
Industrial Automation Slave Nodes
In factory automation, the ATMEGA48PA-MNR serves as a Modbus-RTU or TWI slave node driving relays and reading limit switches. Its -40C to +105C rating per the Mouser listing tolerates control-cabinet heat near drives, and the 5 V operation at 20 MHz gives full-speed execution in electrically noisy 24 V environments. The USART handles RS-485 framing while SPI drives isolated ADCs or DACs. Because the 23 I/O lines replace several discrete glue-logic ICs, board area and cost drop. Designers should add TVS protection on RS-485 lines and use the 16-bit timer for precise PWM to actuators; the 4 KB Flash typically holds a compact protocol implementation with room to spare.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
White goods, small kitchen appliances, and HVAC controllers use the ATMEGA48PA-MNR for front-panel control: scanning a key matrix on PC0-PC3, driving 7-segment displays or LEDs, and reading NTC thermistors through the 10-bit ADC. The 4 KB Flash accommodates state machines and button debouncing typical of appliance firmware, while the six sleep modes let the product meet standby-power regulations. Cost per unit below USD 1.50 at 100 pieces (as of 2026-09-18) makes it competitive with dedicated 8-bit controllers. The watchdog timer provides the safety recovery required in appliances with heaters or motors, and the -40C to +105C range covers cooktop-adjacent electronics.
Recommended
Motor Control and PWM Drivers
The ATMEGA48PA-MNR generates complementary PWM from its three timer/counters for brushed-DC and small BLDC fan control. The 16-bit Timer/Counter1 provides high-resolution phase-correct PWM while the two 8-bit timers handle tachometer capture and soft-start sequencing. Running at 20 MHz yields PWM frequencies well above audible range with 8-bit duty resolution. The 10-bit ADC reads back bus voltage and current via a shunt for closed-loop speed regulation. Its 105 C rating suits motor-adjacent mounting, though designers should keep the VQFN thermal pad well grounded. For larger three-phase drives, pair it with a dedicated gate driver rather than driving MOSFETs directly from I/O pins.
Recommended
Hobby, Maker and Educational Platforms
The ATMEGA48PA-MNR is the budget core for maker boards and STEM kits: it runs the same AVR toolchain (AVR-GCC, Microchip Studio, arduprog-compatible ISP) as the famous Arduino-class parts, so educational material transfers directly. The 32-VQFN package suits compact custom boards while breakout adapters make hand soldering feasible with hot air. Its 1.8 V to 5.5 V range lets students power it from Li-ion, USB, or two AA cells without regulators. The 4 KB Flash is enough for blink, sensor-lab, and UART exercises, and when projects outgrow it, the identical pinout of ATMEGA88PA/168PA means the same PCB accepts a bigger chip - a valuable teaching path from intro to advanced embedded courses.
Recommended
Medical and Health Monitoring Accessories
Portable health accessories - thermometers, pulse monitors, dosing timers - benefit from the ATMEGA48PA-MNR's low sleep current and ADC Noise Reduction sleep mode, which isolates the ADC clock domain for cleaner analog sampling of bridge sensors and bio-potential front ends. The 1.8 V operation supports single-cell coin batteries, extending product life, while the 20 MHz core handles FFT-based signal conditioning when awake. Six sleep modes let firmware aggressively power-gate between measurement cycles, which is the dominant duty cycle in intermittent-use medical accessories. Designers should follow the datasheet's analog grounding guidance (separate AVCC/AREF filtering) to achieve the ADC's datasheet noise performance in the compact VQFN layout.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA48PA-MNR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA48PB-MNR | ATMEGA48A-MNR | ATMEGA88PA-MNR | ATMEGA168PA-MNR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 32-VQFN (MLF) 5x5 mm | 32-VQFN (MLF) 5x5 mm - same | 32-VQFN (MLF) 5x5 mm - same | 32-VQFN (MLF) 5x5 mm - same | 32-VQFN (MLF) 5x5 mm - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 4 KB | 4 KB | 4 KB | 8 KB | 16 KB |
| SRAM | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 1 KB | 1 KB |
| Max Clock | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| picoPower Technology | Yes | Yes (improved) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Pin 3 / Pin 6 Migration Cautions | N/A (baseline) | Pin 3: no active drive/ACO if grounded; Pin 6: no active drive if tied to VCC | None | None | None |
Key Differentiators
- picoPower low-current core at lowest family price (vs ATMEGA48A-MNR)
- Identical pinout to larger family members (vs ATMEGA88PA-MNR)
- Officially supported migration to newer silicon (vs ATMEGA48PB-MNR)
Design Notes
The 32-VQFN (MLF) 5x5 mm footprint places VCC/GND pad pairs inside the pad array (pins 3/4 and 5/6). Place one 100 nF X7R ceramic capacitor within 2 mm of each VCC pad and one bulk 4.7-10 uF capacitor near the supply entry. The center thermal pad on the MLF is soldered to a grounded land pattern - do not confuse it with the ATmega48PB migration caution on Pin 3/6 documented in Microchip appnote 00002605A when qualifying the PB as a drop-in.
The ATmega48PA supports 1.8 V to 5.5 V, but the maximum safe clock depends on supply: full 20 MHz is only guaranteed at 5 V (per the datasheet frequency-versus-VCC curve, below about 2.7 V the safe maximum drops toward 4-10 MHz). If your design runs at 3.3 V, verify the derating curve in the Microchip datasheet before configuring a 20 MHz crystal, or set the CKDIV8/system clock prescaler to stay within the safe operating envelope.
PC6 doubles as active-low RESET and is fused as RESET by default - do not assign it as a general I/O unless you reprogram the RSTDISBL fuse, which permanently disables ISP reprogramming. Additionally, when migrating to the ATMEGA48PB drop-in, pins 3 and 6 (GND/VCC in the PA pinout) have changed functionality: per appnote 00002605A, Pin 3 must not be actively driven if connected to GND and the ACO must not be enabled, and Pin 6 must not be actively driven if connected to VCC.
Compliance Information
Green package per digchip listing ('GREEN, PLASTIC'); RoHS compliance per Microchip standard product page. REACH and conflict-minerals status not stated in provided data.
