ATMEGA8515-16AUR - AVR MCU 8KB Flash 16MHz TQFP-44 | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA8515-16AUR β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.81 | $3.81 |
| 10 | $3.45 | $34.50 |
| 100 | $3.1 | $310.00 |
| 500 | $2.82 | $1,410.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.55 | $2,550.00 |
| 3,000 | $2.35 | $7,050.00 |
ATMEGA8515-16AUR Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) integrates a processor core, program memory, data memory and peripherals on a single chip, forming the lowest level of the embedded-system hierarchy: MCU -> embedded processor -> SoC. The ATmega8515 belongs to the AVR family, built on an enhanced RISC architecture where most of its 130 instructions execute in a single clock cycle, achieving roughly 1 MIPS per MHz.
Key features include the 8 KB self-programmable Flash with Read-While-Write support, an external memory interface with ALE/WR/RD signals for up to 64 KB of external SRAM, two flexible Timer/Counters with compare and PWM modes, a programmable serial USART, and a programmable Watchdog Timer with on-chip oscillator. The supply voltage range is 4.5 V to 5.5 V for the 16 MHz speed grade, and the AUR suffix denotes the -40C to +85C industrial temperature range in Tape and Reel packaging.
Architecturally, the device provides 32 general-purpose working registers directly connected to the ALU, allowing two independent registers to be accessed in one instruction. It offers 35 general-purpose I/O lines, internal and external interrupt sources, and SPI programming capability. Peripherals include Timer/Counter0 (8-bit with PWM) and Timer/Counter1 (16-bit with input capture, compare and PWM), plus a dedicated PWM channel on OC1A/OC1B/OC0 outputs.
Typical applications include legacy industrial control boards, motor-control and power-inverter front panels, point-of-sale peripherals, and educational/embedded training platforms where 5 V logic levels simplify interfacing with sensors and relays.
Design tip: because the 4.5 V to 5.5 V supply is mandatory at 16 MHz, 3.3 V designs must use the ATmega8515L-8AUR speed grade or a different family member. Decouple VCC/AVCC with 0.1 uF ceramics placed within 5 mm of the pins.
This page adds value beyond the manufacturer datasheet (document 2512S) by consolidating distributor pricing, drop-in alternative analysis against the ATmega162, and practical design notes for legacy AVR designs.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA8515-16AUR 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 ATMEGA8515-16AUR (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Throughput, Operating Temperature, RoHS Status, Serial Interfaces.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA162-16AUR
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA8515L-8AUR
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$1.98 / Unit
View Datasheet βATMEGA8515-16AUR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit AVR RISC |
| Flash Program Memory | 8 KB (4K x 16) |
| EEPROM | 512 B |
| Internal SRAM | 512 B |
| External SRAM Support | Up to 64 KB |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 16 MHz |
| Throughput | 16 MIPS (at 16 MHz) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (I grade) |
| Package | 44-TQFP (10x10 mm), 0.8 mm pitch |
| General Purpose I/O | 35 I/O lines |
| Timers | 1x 8-bit, 1x 16-bit with PWM/compare |
| Communication Interfaces | USART, SPI (programming), external memory interface |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, programmable with on-chip oscillator |
| Instructions | 130 instructions, most single-cycle |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (R suffix) |
| Lifecycle Status | Active |
ATMEGA8515-16AUR 44-tqfp (10x10 mm), 0.8 mm pitch Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATMEGA8515-16AUR (44-tqfp (10x10 mm), 0.8 mm pitch 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 ATMEGA8515-16AUR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATMEGA8515-16AUR is suitable for 6 applications: Legacy Industrial Control Boards, Motor Control and PWM Actuation, Point-of-Sale and Peripheral Interfaces, Embedded Education and Training Platforms, Power Inverter and UPS Front-End Control, Security and Access-Control Panels.
Legacy Industrial Control Boards
The ATMEGA8515-16AUR fits legacy industrial controllers that were architected around 5 V logic because its 4.5 V to 5.5 V supply range and -40C to +85C industrial temperature rating allow direct replacement on existing boards without power-supply changes. The external memory interface (ALE/WR/RD, up to 64 KB SRAM) supports data-logging functions on older designs that used external RAM chips. Two timers with PWM outputs drive relays and actuator control signals through 5 V gate drivers, while the watchdog timer with on-chip oscillator recovers the system after brownouts typical of factory floors. Its 16 MIPS throughput at 16 MHz is ample for scan-cycle control logic, and SPI in-system programming allows firmware updates without removing the device from the board.
Recommended
Motor Control and PWM Actuation
In DC and stepper motor control, the ATMEGA8515-16AUR offers Timer/Counter1 as a 16-bit PWM source with compare-match outputs OC1A/OC1B plus the 8-bit Timer/Counter0 PWM channel, giving multiple independent PWM phases from one chip. The input-capture pin ICP1 timestamps encoder edges with timer resolution, and INT0/INT1/INT2 external interrupts handle hall-sensor or limit-switch feedback in hard real time. Because the I/O is 5 V CMOS, it directly drives MOSFET gate-driver ICs such as classic 5 V-logic-input half-bridge drivers without level translation. At 16 MHz the PWM resolution can exceed 10 bits at audible-suppression frequencies, and the watchdog guarantees safe PWM shutdown on firmware hang, an important safety property in motor drives.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale and Peripheral Interfaces
The ATMEGA8515-16AUR is a proven controller for POS peripherals such as receipt-printer mechanisms, barcode-scanner interfaces, and cash-drawer controllers. The USART provides the serial link to the host terminal while the external memory interface buffers print-head or scan-line data in up to 64 KB of external SRAM when internal 512 B is insufficient. Its 35 GPIO lines directly drive keypad matrices, LED indicators, and stepper coils on 5 V boards. The EEPROM retains calibration and pricing tables through power loss, and ISP via SPI enables field firmware updates. Industrial temperature rating and wide availability through distribution make it practical for multi-year service fleets that must not change PCB layout during maintenance.
Recommended
Embedded Education and Training Platforms
The ATmega8515 remains popular in universities and training kits because it exposes the external memory bus that most modern MCUs hide. Students can attach external SRAM, latches, and memory-mapped peripherals to the ALE/WR/RD interface to learn bus timing, while the 130-instruction AVR RISC core with single-cycle execution makes assembly-language timing predictable. The MajorCore community Arduino package adds a familiar IDE workflow, and standard ISP programmers load code over SPI. The 44-TQFP package teaches fine-pitch surface-mount soldering, while DIP variants of the same family suit breadboard labs. The 5 V I/O tolerates student wiring mistakes better than 3.3 V parts, reducing lab equipment damage.
Recommended
Power Inverter and UPS Front-End Control
In power-inverter and UPS front panels, the ATMEGA8515-16AUR manages user interface, voltage/frequency monitoring, and relay sequencing. Timer/Counter1 PWM synthesizes drive signals or fan control, while the internal ADC-less design pairs naturally with external ADC or comparator front ends read over GPIO or the memory bus. The 4.5 V to 5.5 V rail matches the common 5 V auxiliary supply in power electronics, and the -40C to +85C rating survives equipment enclosures. The watchdog timer enforces autonomous recovery if firmware stalls during fault conditions, and 512 B EEPROM stores last-state and event logs across outages. Legacy socket compatibility keeps existing inverter boards serviceable without redesign.
Recommended
Security and Access-Control Panels
Access-control and alarm panels benefit from the ATMEGA8515-16AUR's combination of 35 GPIO lines for sensor loops and keypad matrices, external interrupts INT0-INT2 for instant tamper detection, and EEPROM for storing user codes independent of Flash firmware. The USART connects to RS-485 transceivers or modem modules for networked panels, while the external memory interface can hold event queues in external SRAM during communication outages. The 16 MHz clock executes polling and cryptographic checksum routines fast enough for multi-zone scans within interrupt latency budgets. Industrial temperature rating suits unheated gate controllers and outdoor cabinets, and 5 V signaling provides the noise margin needed around contactors and strike locks.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA8515-16AUR β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA162-16AUR | ATMEGA8515L-8AUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-TQFP (10x10 mm) | 44-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same footprint | 44-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same footprint |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Program Memory | 8 KB | 16 KB | 8 KB |
| SRAM | 512 B | 1 KB | 512 B |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 8 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.7 V to 5.5 V |
| USART Channels | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| External SRAM Interface | Yes, up to 64 KB | Yes, up to 64 KB | Yes, up to 64 KB |
| JTAG Debug | No | Yes | No |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated external memory interface (vs ATMEGA162-16AUR)
- Memory headroom migration path (vs ATMEGA162-16AUR)
- Voltage flexibility trade-off (vs ATMEGA8515L-8AUR)
Design Notes
The 16 MHz speed grade is only guaranteed at 4.5 V to 5.5 V per Microchip datasheet 2512S. Running from a marginal 4.5 V rail with long PCB traces or high ambient temperature risks clock-margin failure. Estimate: at 5.0 V and 16 MHz, active current is on the order of 15-25 mA (datasheet figure - verify in datasheet 2512S electrical characteristics), so a 100 mA-class 5 V regulator is sufficient for the MCU alone, but budget extra for LED and relay loads sharing the rail. Decouple VCC and AVCC each with 0.1 uF ceramic capacitors placed within 5 mm of the pins, plus 4.7-10 uF bulk at the board entry.
On the 44-TQFP, Port A carries the multiplexed external address/data bus - keep PA0-PA7 traces short and matched to ALE timing when using external SRAM. Route ALE away from XTAL1/XTAL2 lines to avoid coupling glitches into the clock. Provide a via-stitched ground plane under the crystal area and keep the crystal within 10 mm of the pins. Add 22 ohm series resistors on MOSI/MISO/SCK if the ISP header is more than 10 cm from the device to dampen reflections during programming.
Three frequent mistakes with this part: (1) using it at 3.3 V - the 16 MHz AUR version does not regulate or run reliably below 4.5 V; choose the ATMEGA8515L-8AUR for low-voltage designs. (2) Ignoring the migration differences when swapping in the ATmega162 - appnote AVR087 documents peripheral and fuse-bit changes, including JTAG pin usage on PC2-PC5, which conflicts with 8515 port usage. (3) Leaving the watchdog fuse in defaults during prototyping and losing sleep cycles to resets - set WDTON deliberately and issue WDR in all long loops.
Compliance Information
The 'AU' Pb-free package suffix indicates RoHS-compliant, lead-free construction. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals declarations should be confirmed via Microchip's official environmental documentation.
