ATMEGA8515-16JC - 8-bit AVR MCU 8KB Flash 16MHz | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA8515-16JC ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.2 | $4.20 |
| 10 | $3.85 | $38.50 |
| 100 | $3.45 | $345.00 |
| 500 | $3.1 | $1,550.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.85 | $2,850.00 |
ATMEGA8515-16JC Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a processor core, program memory, data memory, and peripherals on one die, sitting at the device level of the embedded-systems hierarchy (semiconductor -> integrated circuit -> microcontroller -> embedded system). The AVR family uses a modified Harvard RISC architecture in which most of its 130 instructions execute in a single clock cycle, giving predictable, high-throughput execution for real-time control tasks.
Key features of the ATMEGA8515-16JC include 35 programmable I/O lines, an External Bus Interface (EBI/EMI) with ALE, WR and RD strobes for expanding to 64 KB of external memory, SPI and UART/USART serial interfaces, three hardware timers (two 8-bit and one 16-bit), and an 8-channel 10-bit ADC. The device operates from a 4.5 V to 5.5 V supply at 16 MHz (the -16 speed grade), with an operating temperature range of 0 C to +70 C indicated by the C temperature designator.
Technical depth: the AVR core is fully static, allowing clock frequencies down to DC without state loss, and the self-programming Flash enables field firmware updates through bootloader code. In-circuit programming via SPI and debugging through JTAG-adjacent AVR tools reduce development time. The External Bus Interface multiplexes the PA port as an address/data bus with PC providing address lines A8-A15.
Typical applications include industrial control systems, legacy equipment maintenance, motor control boards, test fixtures, and educational/embedded platforms - the Arduino-compatible MajorCore package supports the ATmega8515. The PLCC-44 package suits through-hole-style sockets and PCB rework-friendly layouts.
Design consideration: verify supply decoupling with 100 nF ceramics on both supply pins and validate the External Bus Interface timing when running at the full 16 MHz, since external SRAM access adds propagation delays to the bus.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, pinout data, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA8515-16JC — 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 ATMEGA8515-16JC (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Communication Interfaces, Core Architecture, I/O Lines, Instructions, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA8515-16JU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA8515L-8JI
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →ATMEGA8515L-8MU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.54 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA8515-16JI
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$5.44 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA8515-16JC Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit AVR RISC (modified Harvard) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 8 KB In-System Programmable |
| EEPROM | 512 bytes |
| Internal SRAM | 544 bytes |
| External Memory Support | up to 64 KB SRAM via EBI/EMI |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 16 MHz (16 MIPS) |
| Operating Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V (-16 speed grade) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +70 C (C grade) |
| I/O Lines | 35 programmable I/O |
| Timers/Counters | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| Communication Interfaces | SPI, UART/USART, EBI/EMI |
| ADC | 10-bit ADC (per datasheet) |
| Package | 44-LCC (J-Lead / PLCC-44) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Programming Method | In-System Programming via SPI, self-programming bootloader |
| Instructions | 130 instructions, most single-cycle |
| RoHS Status | unknown |
ATMEGA8515-16JC Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PA0 — Port A bit 0 / external bus AD0 |
| Pin 2 | PA1 — Port A bit 1 / external bus AD1 |
| Pin 3 | PA2 — Port A bit 2 / external bus AD2 |
| Pin 4 | PA3 — Port A bit 3 / external bus AD3 |
| Pin 5 | PA4 — Port A bit 4 / external bus AD4 |
| Pin 6 | PA5 — Port A bit 5 / external bus AD5 |
| Pin 7 | PA6 — Port A bit 6 / external bus AD6 |
| Pin 8 | PA7 — Port A bit 7 / external bus AD7 |
| Pin 9 | PB0 — Port B bit 0 / SPI SS |
| Pin 10 | PB1 — Port B bit 1 / SPI SCK |
| Pin 11 | PB2 — Port B bit 2 / SPI MOSI |
| Pin 12 | PB3 — Port B bit 3 / SPI MISO |
| Pin 13 | PB4 — Port B bit 4 / OC0 PWM output |
| Pin 14 | PB5 — Port B bit 5 / OC1A PWM output |
| Pin 15 | PB6 — Port B bit 6 / OC1B / ICP function |
| Pin 16 | PB7 — Port B bit 7 / OC2 PWM output |
| Pin 17 | RESET — Active-low reset input |
| Pin 18 | VCC — Digital supply voltage (4.5 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 19 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 20 | XTAL2 — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 21 | XTAL1 — Crystal oscillator input / external clock |
| Pin 22 | PD0 — Port D bit 0 / UART RXD |
| Pin 23 | PD1 — Port D bit 1 / UART TXD |
| Pin 24 | PD2 — Port D bit 2 / external interrupt INT0 |
| Pin 25 | PD3 — Port D bit 3 / external interrupt INT1 |
| Pin 26 | PD4 — Port D bit 4 / timer function |
| Pin 27 | PD5 — Port D bit 5 / timer compare function |
| Pin 28 | PD6 — Port D bit 6 / timer function |
| Pin 29 | PD7 — Port D bit 7 / timer T1 input |
| Pin 30 | PE0 — Port E bit 0 / Input Capture ICP |
| Pin 31 | PE1 — Port E bit 1 / Analog Comparator AIN0 |
| Pin 32 | PE2 — Port E bit 2 / Analog Comparator AIN1 |
| Pin 33 | PC0 — Port C bit 0 / external address A8 |
| Pin 34 | PC1 — Port C bit 1 / external address A9 |
| Pin 35 | PC2 — Port C bit 2 / external address A10 |
| Pin 36 | PC3 — Port C bit 3 / external address A11 |
| Pin 37 | PC4 — Port C bit 4 / external address A12 |
| Pin 38 | PC5 — Port C bit 5 / external address A13 |
| Pin 39 | PC6 — Port C bit 6 / external address A14 |
| Pin 40 | PC7 — Port C bit 7 / external address A15 |
| Pin 41 | ALE — External memory address latch enable |
| Pin 42 | OC0B — Timer output compare function (per datasheet pin configuration) |
| Pin 43 | RD — External memory read strobe |
| Pin 44 | WR — External memory write strobe |
Typical Applications
ATMEGA8515-16JC is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Systems, Legacy Equipment Maintenance, External-Memory Expansion Systems, Motor Control and PWM Actuation, Education and Arduino-Compatible Prototyping, Test Fixtures and Instrumentation.
Industrial Control Systems
The ATMEGA8515-16JC fits industrial control boards because its External Bus Interface expands memory to 64 KB for lookup tables, logging buffers, and control algorithms, while 16 MIPS throughput at 16 MHz gives deterministic single-cycle instruction execution for real-time loops. In a typical installation it scans digital inputs, runs PID or sequencing firmware from the 8 KB self-programming Flash, and drives relays or actuators through the 35 I/O lines, with UART/USART linking to SCADA or HMI panels. The commercial 0 C to +70 C grade suits cabinet-mounted controllers in conditioned environments; for outdoor or cold-start installations select the industrial ATMEGA8515-16JU drop-in variant instead. Decouple both supply pins with 100 nF ceramics and protect inputs with TVS devices for factory-floor noise immunity.
Recommended
Legacy Equipment Maintenance
Mature industrial and telecom equipment built around the ATmega8515 frequently needs board-level repair, and the ATMEGA8515-16JC is the exact OEM ordering code in the 44-pin PLCC (J-Lead) package, so no PCB or firmware changes are required. Service technicians can desolder the socketed or surface-mounted part, program a replacement in-circuit via SPI ISP, and restore the original firmware image from the 512-byte EEPROM-backed configuration plus re-flashed 8 KB Flash. With 6,512 pieces reported in stock at Heisener as of September 2026, sourcing is still feasible, but proactive last-time-buy stocking of the industrial ATMEGA8515-16JU equivalent is recommended since production volumes are shrinking. Document the firmware checksum after replacement to validate correct reprogramming.
Recommended
External-Memory Expansion Systems
The defining feature of the ATMEGA8515-16JC is its External Bus Interface (EBI/EMI), which multiplexes Port A as AD0-AD7, uses Port C for A8-A15, and provides ALE, WR and RD strobes to address up to 64 KB of external SRAM - valuable for data-logging, buffer-heavy, or algorithm applications that exceed the 544 bytes of internal SRAM. At 16 MHz, external bus cycles add approximately one wait-state-equivalent overhead versus internal SRAM access, so time-critical variables should stay on-chip while bulk buffers reside externally. A typical design pairs the MCU with a 32 KB or 64 KB SRAM chip and a 74HC573 latch for ALE demultiplexing. Verify bus timing against the datasheet AC characteristics and keep bus traces short to preserve signal integrity.
Recommended
Motor Control and PWM Actuation
The ATMEGA8515-16JC provides two 8-bit timers and one 16-bit timer with compare-match PWM outputs (OC0, OC1A, OC1B on Port B and D pins), enabling DC motor speed control and servo actuation at 16 MIPS core throughput. A typical drive stage uses the 16-bit Timer1 to generate 16-20 kHz PWM into a MOSFET half-bridge driver, with the 10-bit ADC sampling current-shunt feedback for closed-loop regulation, and UART/USART reporting status to a supervisory controller. The 35 I/O lines handle limit switches, encoders and enable signals without external glue logic. Because the commercial grade is 0 C to +70 C, enclosed drive cabinets are appropriate, and flyback protection diodes plus gate resistors should be placed close to the MOSFETs to contain switching noise near the ADC inputs.
Recommended
Education and Arduino-Compatible Prototyping
The ATmega8515 remains popular in education because the open-source MajorCore hardware package (GitHub: MCUdude/MajorCore) adds ATmega8515 and ATmega162 board definitions to the Arduino IDE, letting students use familiar sketch-style APIs on classic PLCC-44 hardware. The 130-instruction AVR RISC core with mostly single-cycle execution, plus 8 KB self-programming Flash for bootloader-based upload over UART, mirrors the original ATmega8/ATmega168 learning path while adding the External Bus Interface as a teaching topic for memory systems. Universities also appreciate the socketed PLCC footprint, which survives repeated insertion cycles in lab trainer boards. Pair the MCU with an FT232-class USB-UART bridge for sketch uploads, and supply a 16 MHz crystal with 22 pF load capacitors for stable clocking.
Recommended
Test Fixtures and Instrumentation
Bench test fixtures benefit from the ATMEGA8515-16JC's combination of SPI, UART/USART, three timers, and 35 flexible I/O lines for sequencing DUT power, generating stimulus patterns, and streaming measurement results over UART at standard baud rates. Its 16 MIPS throughput executes pass/fail decision logic between test vectors with microsecond granularity, while the 512-byte EEPROM stores calibration constants and serial numbers that survive power cycling, and the self-programming Flash allows the fixture firmware to be updated in the field without a dedicated programmer socket. The PLCC-44 J-lead package withstands repeated thermal cycling in rack-mounted fixtures better than fine-pitch QFP alternatives. Keep ADC reference routing star-grounded and use the on-chip ADC's internal reference for repeatable ratiometric measurements against shunt sensors.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA8515-16JC — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA8515-16JU | ATMEGA8515L-8JI | ATMEGA8515L-8MU | ATMEGA8515-16JI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-LCC (PLCC-44, J-Lead) | 44-LCC (PLCC-44, J-Lead) - same | 44-LCC (PLCC-44, J-Lead) - same | 44-LCC (PLCC-44, J-Lead) - same | 44-LCC (PLCC-44, J-Lead) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB |
| Maximum Speed | 16 MHz (16 MIPS) | 16 MHz (16 MIPS) | 8 MHz (8 MIPS) | 8 MHz (8 MIPS) | 16 MHz (16 MIPS) |
| Operating Voltage | 4.5 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 |
| Temperature Range | 0 C to +70 C (commercial) | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) |
| External SRAM Support | up to 64 KB via EBI | up to 64 KB via EBI | up to 64 KB via EBI | up to 64 KB via EBI | up to 64 KB via EBI |
| Firmware Compatibility | Reference | Binary-compatible, no changes | Compatible, retime clock/UART dividers | Compatible, retime clock/UART dividers | Binary-compatible, no changes |
Key Differentiators
- Full 16 MHz speed retained in commercial PLCC package (vs ATMEGA8515L-8JI)
- Only AVR family with 64 KB External Bus Interface in PLCC-44 (vs ATMEGA8-16PI)
- Cost savings vs higher-density AVR without redesign (vs ATMEGA64M1-AU)
Design Notes
The PLCC-44 J-lead footprint requires precise land-pattern dimensions; use the JEDEC-style PLCC-44 land pattern with solder fillet relief at the J-leads. If the board uses a PLCC socket for easy replacement, budget for socket contact resistance and reduced current capability on VCC/GND pins. Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VCC pin and a second bulk 10 uF capacitor near the supply entry. Keep XTAL1/XTAL2 traces short and guard them with ground pour for stable 16 MHz oscillation.
When using the External Bus Interface at 16 MHz, PA0-PA7 carry multiplexed address/data whose switching edges can crosstalk into analog inputs. Latch the address with ALE using a fast latch (74HC573 class) placed within 30 mm of the MCU, and route A8-A15 (Port C) away from the crystal and UART lines. For long bus runs to external SRAM, add 22-33 ohm series termination resistors on the address/data lines to dampen reflections and reduce EMI.
Two frequent mistakes with this part: (1) selecting the L-suffix low-voltage variant as a substitute without noticing the 8 MHz speed cap, which silently halves throughput and breaks UART baud dividers; (2) assuming the commercial -16JC grade covers -40 C operation - it does not, and cold-start field failures will result; use ATMEGA8515-16JU/16JI instead. Also confirm ISP programming fuse settings before disabling RESET or the SPI interface, which can lock out in-circuit recovery.
Estimated: at 16 MHz and 5 V, active-mode current for AVR cores of this generation is on the order of 12-25 mA depending on firmware activity - verify against the datasheet electrical characteristics table for your exact operating profile. Power-down mode draws only microamps, so idle-heavy fixtures should use sleep modes with timer wake-up. Size the 5 V regulator for peak I/O sink/source current plus core current with 30% margin.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH/lead-free status not explicitly stated in retrieved distributor data for this ordering code; verify against Microchip's environmental compliance portal before regulated procurement.
