ATMEGA8515-16MU - 8KB AVR MCU 16MHz VQFN-44 | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA8515-16MU ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.29 | $3.29 |
| 10 | $2.96 | $29.60 |
| 100 | $2.63 | $263.00 |
| 500 | $2.36 | $1,180.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.12 | $2,120.00 |
ATMEGA8515-16MU Overview
An 8-bit AVR microcontroller is a Harvard-architecture RISC processor that executes most instructions in a single clock cycle. Within the power-management hierarchy, it functions as a complete embedded system-on-chip, combining CPU, program memory, data memory, timers, and serial peripherals in one IC. The ATmega8515 belongs to the classic ATmega AVR family, which sits above the smaller ATtiny line and below the high-memory ATmega64/128 devices.
Key features include the Advanced RISC architecture with 130 powerful instructions, an 8 KB self-programmable ISP Flash supporting 10,000 write cycles, and a rich peripheral set: two 8-bit and one 16-bit timers with PWM, an 8-channel 10-bit ADC (in the ADC-equipped variant of the family peripheral map), USART, SPI, TWI (I2C-compatible), and up to 64 KB of external memory addressing.
Technical depth comes from the AVR core: 32 general-purpose 8-bit registers directly connected to the ALU, allowing single-cycle access and efficient C compilation. Internal 8 MHz RC oscillator, brown-out detection, power-on reset, and idle/power-down/power-save sleep modes support low-power operation from a 4.5 V to 5.5 V supply.
Typical applications include industrial control systems, motor control, LCD-equipped instrumentation, telecom peripherals, and legacy AVR designs maintained on 5 V rails where the external-memory expansion capability is required.
Design consideration: because the maximum rating is 5.5 V, 3.3 V-only systems must select the ATmega8515L variants instead; also plan ISP programming headers early in layout.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA8515-16MU — 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 ATMEGA8515-16MU (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, Instruction Set, RoHS Status, SRAM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA8515-16MJ
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.34 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA8515L-8MU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.54 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA162-16MU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.19 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA8515-16MU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit AVR RISC |
| Flash Memory | 8 KB (4K x 16) ISP |
| SRAM | 512 B (up to 64 KB external) |
| EEPROM | 512 B |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 16 MHz (16 MIPS) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Package | 44-VQFN (7x7 mm) exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| I/O Ports | General purpose I/O (4 x 8-bit ports + port E) |
| Serial Interfaces | USART, SPI, TWI (I2C-compatible) |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit with PWM |
| External Memory Interface | Up to 64 KB |
| Instructions | 130 powerful instructions, most single-cycle |
| Registers | 32 x 8-bit general purpose |
| Oscillator | Internal RC oscillator, external crystal support |
| Sleep Modes | Idle, Power-down, Power-save |
| In-System Programming | Yes (ISP Flash) |
| Lifecycle Status | ACTIVE |
ATMEGA8515-16MU Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PE0 (RXD) — Port E bit 0 / UART receive data |
| Pin 2 | PE1 (TXD) — Port E bit 1 / UART transmit data |
| Pin 3 | PE2 (XCK/AIN0) — Port E bit 2 / USART clock / analog comparator input 0 |
| Pin 4 | PE3 (AIN1) — Port E bit 3 / analog comparator input 1 |
| Pin 5 | PE4 — Port E bit 4 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 6 | PE5 — Port E bit 5 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 7 | PE6 — Port E bit 6 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 8 | PE7 — Port E bit 7 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 9 | PB0 (SS) — Port B bit 0 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 10 | PB1 (SCK) — Port B bit 1 / SPI serial clock |
| Pin 11 | PB2 (MOSI) — Port B bit 2 / SPI master data out |
| Pin 12 | PB3 (MISO) — Port B bit 3 / SPI master data in |
| Pin 13 | PB4 (OC0) — Port B bit 4 / Timer0 output compare PWM |
| Pin 14 | PB5 (OC1A) — Port B bit 5 / Timer1 output compare A PWM |
| Pin 15 | PB6 (OC1B) — Port B bit 6 / Timer1 output compare B PWM |
| Pin 16 | PB7 (OC2) — Port B bit 7 / Timer2 output compare PWM |
| Pin 17 | AREF — Analog reference voltage |
| Pin 18 | GND — Digital ground |
| Pin 19 | AVCC — Analog supply voltage |
| Pin 20 | PA0 (AD0) — Port A bit 0 / external memory address/data line |
| Pin 21 | PA1 (AD1) — Port A bit 1 / external memory address/data line |
| Pin 22 | PA2 (AD2) — Port A bit 2 / external memory address/data line |
| Pin 23 | PA3 (AD3) — Port A bit 3 / external memory address/data line |
| Pin 24 | PA4 (AD4) — Port A bit 4 / external memory address/data line |
| Pin 25 | PA5 (AD5) — Port A bit 5 / external memory address/data line |
| Pin 26 | PA6 (AD6) — Port A bit 6 / external memory address/data line |
| Pin 27 | PA7 (AD7) — Port A bit 7 / external memory address/data line |
| Pin 28 | PC7 (A15/T2) — Port C bit 7 / address line 15 / Timer2 input |
| Pin 29 | PC6 (A14/T1) — Port C bit 6 / address line 14 / Timer1 input |
| Pin 30 | PC5 (A13/T0) — Port C bit 5 / address line 13 / Timer0 input |
| Pin 31 | PC4 (A12) — Port C bit 4 / external memory address line 12 |
| Pin 32 | PC3 (A11) — Port C bit 3 / external memory address line 11 |
| Pin 33 | PC2 (A10) — Port C bit 2 / external memory address line 10 |
| Pin 34 | PC1 (A9) — Port C bit 1 / external memory address line 9 |
| Pin 35 | PC0 (A8) — Port C bit 0 / external memory address line 8 |
| Pin 36 | PD0 (INT0) — Port D bit 0 / external interrupt 0 |
| Pin 37 | PD1 (INT1) — Port D bit 1 / external interrupt 1 |
| Pin 38 | PD2 (INT2) — Port D bit 2 / external interrupt 2 |
| Pin 39 | PD3 (INT3) — Port D bit 3 / external interrupt 3 |
| Pin 40 | PD4 (ICP1) — Port D bit 4 / Timer1 input capture |
| Pin 41 | PD5 (OC1A) — Port D bit 5 / Timer1 output compare A |
| Pin 42 | PD6 (WR) — Port D bit 6 / external memory write strobe |
| Pin 43 | PD7 (RD) — Port D bit 7 / external memory read strobe |
| Pin 44 | VCC — Digital supply voltage (4.5 V to 5.5 V) |
Typical Applications
ATMEGA8515-16MU is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Systems, LCD-Based Instrumentation, Telecom and Data Acquisition Peripherals, Motor Control and PWM Actuation, Embedded Learning and Legacy AVR Development, Battery-Powered and Low-Power Monitoring Nodes.
Industrial Control Systems
The ATMEGA8515-16MU fits industrial control well because its 4.5 V to 5.5 V supply matches legacy 5 V industrial rails, its 16 MHz clock yields 16 MIPS of deterministic single-cycle RISC execution, and the external memory interface supports up to 64 KB of SRAM for data logging. In a typical PLC-adjacent controller, the part drives relays and reads limit switches through its four 8-bit GPIO ports while a 16-bit timer generates PWM for actuators. The 512 B EEPROM stores calibration and configuration data that must survive power cycles, and brown-out detection prevents corrupted writes during brownout events. Its VQFN-44 package with exposed ground pad gives good thermal and electrical grounding on noisy industrial boards.
Recommended
LCD-Based Instrumentation
The ATmega8515 family includes dedicated LCD drive control signals, making the ATMEGA8515-16MU a natural fit for panel meters, test instruments, and operator-interface boards. Running at 16 MHz provides 16 MIPS, enough headroom to refresh character LCDs or manage a memory-mapped graphical display using the 64 KB external memory interface as framebuffer space. The TWI and SPI buses handle communication with real-time clocks and sensor front-ends, while the USART provides a maintenance serial link. Because the entire application often fits in the 8 KB Flash with the 512 B EEPROM holding user calibration, a single VQFN-44 IC replaces what previously required a microprocessor plus external EPROM and SRAM chips, cutting board area and cost.
Recommended
Telecom and Data Acquisition Peripherals
In telecom line cards and data-acquisition modules, the ATMEGA8515-16MU acts as a protocol bridge: its hardware USART streams measurement data at standard baud rates, the SPI bus interfaces to ADCs and serial memories, and the TWI port manages low-speed configuration devices. The 16 MHz clock supports baud-rate divisors for standard telecom speeds with low error, and the external memory interface (up to 64 KB) provides capture-buffer storage that the on-chip 512 B SRAM alone cannot hold. Sleep modes allow the module to idle between polling intervals, and the ISP Flash permits field firmware updates over the maintenance serial channel without desoldering the device.
Recommended
Motor Control and PWM Actuation
The ATMEGA8515-16MU provides two 8-bit timers and one 16-bit timer with output-compare PWM channels, sufficient to drive DC motor H-bridges or servo actuators with hardware-timed waveforms that remain accurate even while the CPU handles communication. At 16 MHz, 8-bit PWM resolution reaches approximately 62.5 kHz carrier frequency, well above audible range for motor applications. The 32 working registers allow fast PID loop arithmetic in interrupt service routines, and the 5 V I/O directly gates typical power MOSFET drivers without level shifting. Legacy industrial motor boards on 5 V logic particularly benefit, since the part is native 5 V rather than tolerant-only.
Recommended
Embedded Learning and Legacy AVR Development
The ATMEGA8515-16MU remains popular in education and legacy-code maintenance because the MajorCore community Arduino hardware package supports the ATmega8515 and ATmega162, letting developers use the Arduino IDE on this classic AVR. The 8 KB ISP Flash is large enough for teaching projects while small enough to teach efficient C and assembly coding, and the external memory interface lets students experiment with memory-system design up to 64 KB. In-system programming through SPI with a simple header makes lab workflows fast: no socket programmer required. Distributor stock of roughly 2,400 pieces as of 2026-09-18 keeps lab replenishment straightforward.
Recommended
Battery-Powered and Low-Power Monitoring Nodes
Although the -16MU grade targets 5 V systems, it supports idle, power-down, and power-save sleep modes that reduce average current dramatically in duty-cycled monitoring nodes. A typical pattern runs the 16 MHz core only during sensor sampling and UART transmission, then enters power-down where operation stops until an external interrupt or watchdog wake-up. The 512 B EEPROM retains logged min/max and calibration between cycles without battery backup. Where supply rails sit below 4.5 V, the pin-identical ATMEGA8515L-8MU extends operation down to 2.7 V at 8 MHz, letting the same PCB serve both 5 V and 3.3 V product variants with one layout.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA8515-16MU — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA8515-16MJ | ATMEGA8515L-8MU | ATMEGA162-16MU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-VQFN (7x7) exposed pad | 44-VQFN (7x7) - same | 44-VQFN (7x7) - same | 44-VQFN (7x7) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 16 KB |
| Max Clock / Speed | 16 MHz (16 MIPS) | 16 MHz (16 MIPS) | 8 MHz (8 MIPS) | 16 MHz (16 MIPS) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.7 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| SRAM | 512 B (+64 KB ext.) | 512 B (+64 KB ext.) | 512 B (+64 KB ext.) | 1 KB (+64 KB ext.) |
| USART Count | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Key Differentiators
- Native 16 MHz / 16 MIPS full-speed grade (vs ATMEGA8515L-8MU)
- External memory expansion up to 64 KB (vs ATMEGA162-16MU)
- Industry migration path documented by manufacturer (vs ATMEGA162-16MU)
Design Notes
The VQFN-44 exposed pad on the underside is the primary ground connection and must be soldered to a ground pour. Use a solder-mask-defined opening with an array of 3x3 to 4x4 thermal vias (0.3 mm drill) connecting to inner ground planes; this both anchors the package mechanically and lowers ground inductance for SPI signals at 16 MHz. Do not rely solely on the perimeter GND pin (pin 18). When designing the stencil, segment the exposed-pad aperture into smaller squares (60-70% coverage) to avoid excessive solder paste squeeze-out during reflow.
Decouple VCC (pin 44) and AVCC (pin 19) with 100 nF ceramic capacitors placed within 2 mm of each pin, plus one bulk 10 uF capacitor per rail. AVCC powers the analog comparator and ADC-equivalent analog circuitry; connect it to VCC through a low-pass LC filter (10 uH ferrite bead plus 100 nF) even if only the comparator is used, since comparator noise directly affects AIN0/AIN1 threshold accuracy. Keep AREF (pin 17) decoupled with an isolated 100 nF cap and never drive it while the internal reference is enabled. Per Microchip AVR hardware design guidelines, keep the crystal traces short and guard them with ground.
Three recurring pitfalls: (1) Using the -16MU on a 3.3 V rail - it is rated 4.5 V to 5.5 V only; use ATMEGA8515L-8MU instead. (2) Enabling the external memory interface without configuring PD6/PD7 (WR/RD) and port C address lines, which silently removes those GPIO pins from general use - plan pin budget before enabling XMEM. (3) Forgetting the RESET pull-up (10 kOhm to VCC) required for reliable ISP programming; floating RESET causes sporadic entry into programming mode in noisy environments. Reserve a 2x3 ISP header in layout even if production programming is done in-circuit via bed-of-nails.
Compliance Information
The provided verified web data does not explicitly state RoHS, REACH, AEC-Q100, lead-free, halogen-free, or conflict-minerals status for ATMEGA8515-16MU. Consult official Microchip product compliance documentation for certified values.