ATMEGA8515-16PC - 8-Bit AVR MCU 16MHz 8KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA8515-16PC ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.42 | $6.42 |
| 10 | $5.78 | $57.80 |
| 100 | $5.16 | $516.00 |
| 500 | $4.62 | $2,310.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.1 | $4,100.00 |
ATMEGA8515-16PC Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, data memory, and peripherals on one die. Within the power-management hierarchy of embedded systems, an MCU such as the ATmega8515 executes control logic, timing, and communication tasks for electronic products, sitting above discrete logic ICs and below application processors. The AVR enhanced RISC architecture executes 130 powerful instructions, most in a single clock cycle, with 32 general-purpose working registers directly connected to the ALU.
Key features include the fully static core allowing operation down to DC, an 8-channel 10-bit-capable external memory interface with up to 64 KB address space, and 512 bytes of on-chip EEPROM for non-volatile data storage. Communication peripherals comprise one UART, one SPI (also used for serial ISP programming), and one TWI (I2C-compatible) interface. Timer resources include one 16-bit timer with output compare and input capture plus one 8-bit timer, supporting PWM generation and event measurement. Programming is via SPI In-System Programming or conventional parallel programming.
The AVR pipeline architecture fetches one instruction while executing another, achieving close to 1 MIPS per MHz of clock, so the 16 MHz -16PC grade delivers up to 16 MIPS. An on-chip SRAM of 544 bytes (including register file mapping) plus the external memory bus makes it well suited for legacy industrial control upgrades and memory-hungry LED matrix driving.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, LED display and marquee controllers, keyboard-scanning systems, and hobbyist or educational embedded platforms; the MajorCore Arduino hardware package specifically supports the ATmega8515 for rapid prototyping.
Design-wise, keep supply decoupling close to the VCC/GND pins (100 nF ceramic) and note that AVCC must be connected to VCC even when the analog comparator is unused. Observe reset pin (active-low) RC timing for reliable power-up.
This page synthesizes verified distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA8515-16PC — 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 ATMEGA8515-16PC (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, SRAM, Instructions, Throughput.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA8515-16PU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.71 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA8515-16PI
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA162-16PU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$3.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA8515L-8PU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$4.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA8515-16PC Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | AVR 8-bit RISC |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Speed | 16 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 8 KB (4K x 16) |
| SRAM | 512 B internal + up to 64 KB external |
| EEPROM | 512 B |
| Operating Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C |
| Throughput | 16 MIPS at 16 MHz |
| Instructions | 130 instructions, most single-cycle |
| UART | 1 |
| SPI | 1 |
| TWI (I2C) | 1 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| External Interrupts | 2 (INT0, INT1) |
| Package | 40-PDIP |
| Mounting Type | Through Hole |
| Programming | SPI In-System Programmable |
| Pin Count | 40 |
ATMEGA8515-16PC Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PB5 (MOSI) — Port B bit 5 / SPI Master Out Slave In |
| Pin 2 | PB6 (MISO) — Port B bit 6 / SPI Master In Slave Out |
| Pin 3 | PB7 (SCK) — Port B bit 7 / SPI Serial Clock |
| Pin 4 | RESET — Active-low reset input |
| Pin 5 | VCC — Digital supply voltage (4.5 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 6 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 7 | XTAL2 — Inverting oscillator amplifier output |
| Pin 8 | XTAL1 — Inverting oscillator amplifier input / external clock |
| Pin 9 | PD0 (RXD) — Port D bit 0 / UART receive |
| Pin 10 | PD1 (TXD) — Port D bit 1 / UART transmit |
| Pin 11 | PD2 (INT0) — Port D bit 2 / External interrupt 0 |
| Pin 12 | PD3 (INT1) — Port D bit 3 / External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 13 | PD4 — Port D bit 4 / Timer1 external clock source |
| Pin 14 | PD5 (OC1A) — Port D bit 5 / Timer1 output compare A |
| Pin 15 | PD6 (ICP1) — Port D bit 6 / Timer1 input capture |
| Pin 16 | PD7 — Port D bit 7 / Timer1 output compare B |
| Pin 17 | PC0 (A8) — Port C bit 0 / External memory address bit 8 |
| Pin 18 | PC1 (A9) — Port C bit 1 / External memory address bit 9 |
| Pin 19 | PC2 (A10) — Port C bit 2 / External memory address bit 10 |
| Pin 20 | PC3 (A11) — Port C bit 3 / External memory address bit 11 |
| Pin 21 | PC4 (A12) — Port C bit 4 / External memory address bit 12 |
| Pin 22 | PC5 (A13) — Port C bit 5 / External memory address bit 13 |
| Pin 23 | PC6 (A14) — Port C bit 6 / External memory address bit 14 |
| Pin 24 | PC7 (A15) — Port C bit 7 / External memory address bit 15 |
| Pin 25 | AREF — Analog reference for analog comparator |
| Pin 26 | AGND — Analog ground |
| Pin 27 | AVCC — Analog supply voltage - connect to VCC |
| Pin 28 | PA7 (ADC7) — Port A bit 7 / External memory address/data bit 7 |
| Pin 29 | PA6 (ADC6) — Port A bit 6 / External memory address/data bit 6 |
| Pin 30 | PA5 (ADC5) — Port A bit 5 / External memory address/data bit 5 |
| Pin 31 | PA4 (ADC4) — Port A bit 4 / External memory address/data bit 4 |
| Pin 32 | PA3 (ADC3) — Port A bit 3 / External memory address/data bit 3 |
| Pin 33 | PA2 (ADC2) — Port A bit 2 / External memory address/data bit 2 |
| Pin 34 | PA1 (ADC1) — Port A bit 1 / External memory address/data bit 1 |
| Pin 35 | PA0 (ADC0) — Port A bit 0 / External memory address/data bit 0 |
| Pin 36 | PB0 (T0/XCK) — Port B bit 0 / Timer0 counter or UART external clock |
| Pin 37 | PB1 (T1) — Port B bit 1 / Timer1 external counter input |
| Pin 38 | PB2 (AIN0) — Port B bit 2 / Analog comparator positive input |
| Pin 39 | PB3 (AIN1) — Port B bit 3 / Analog comparator negative input |
| Pin 40 | PB4 (SS) — Port B bit 4 / SPI slave select |
Typical Applications
ATMEGA8515-16PC is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panels, LED Matrix and Marquee Display Controllers, Keyboard and Keypad Scanning Systems, Legacy Embedded System Upgrades, Education and Hobbyist Prototyping, Serial Communication Gateways.
Industrial Control Panels
The ATMEGA8515-16PC fits industrial control and machine-interface boards where a 5V through-hole MCU with a wide peripheral set is required. Its 130-instruction AVR RISC core delivers 16 MIPS at 16 MHz, sufficient for real-time I/O scanning of relays, contactors, and limit switches, while the UART handles Modbus-style serial links to HMIs. The external memory interface supporting up to 64 KB SRAM allows data logging buffers far beyond the 512-byte internal SRAM. The 40-pin PDIP through-hole package withstands vibration better than fine-pitch SMD in serviceable panel designs and allows easy field replacement. Its 4.5V to 5.5V supply matches legacy 7805-based industrial power rails directly without level shifting.
Recommended
LED Matrix and Marquee Display Controllers
The ATMEGA8515-16PC is a proven controller for LED marquee and dot-matrix displays. Its full 8-bit PORTA and PORTC parallel buses drive row/column latches directly, while 16 MIPS throughput sustains high multiplexing scan rates without flicker. The dedicated external memory bus (up to 64 KB) lets designers store complete framebuffers in external SRAM, overcoming the 512-byte internal SRAM limit that constrains most 8-bit MCUs of its era. TWI and SPI ports accept display-content streaming from a host, and the 16-bit timer with output compare generates precise scan timing. The abundant 35+ GPIO in the 40-pin DIP package eliminates glue logic in compact through-hole display boards.
Recommended
Keyboard and Keypad Scanning Systems
The ATMEGA8515-16PC suits matrix keyboard scanning in POS terminals, access panels, and industrial keypads. With 32+ configurable GPIO across four 8-bit ports, a 16x8 matrix scans natively without expansion ICs, and the 16-bit timer/input capture measures key-press debouncing intervals precisely. Two external interrupts (INT0/INT1) wake the core on key-down from idle, conserving power in battery-backed panels. The 512-byte EEPROM stores PIN codes and configuration non-volatilely across power cycles. The single-cycle execution core responds to key events within microseconds at 16 MHz, and the 40-pin PDIP package suits hand-assembled, repairable commercial hardware with long service lifetimes.
Recommended
Legacy Embedded System Upgrades
When maintaining or repairing 1990s-2000s equipment built around the ATmega8515 or AT90S8515, the ATMEGA8515-16PC is the modern drop-in continuation part. It preserves the exact footprint, memory map, and peripheral register behavior of the original designs while offering In-System Programmable Flash for firmware updates without UV-erasable EPROM handling. Distributor stock through DigiKey and Mouser keeps service inventories replenishable, and the SPI ISP interface permits in-cabinet reprogramming. Because the external memory interface supports up to 64 KB, existing expansion RAM cards remain fully compatible. This makes it the default service-spare choice for industrial controllers, test fixtures, and instrumentation still in the field.
Recommended
Education and Hobbyist Prototyping
The ATMEGA8515-16PC is popular in embedded-systems education because its 40-pin PDIP package inserts directly into breadboards and solderless prototyping boards, and its 5V supply pairs with simple bench power. The open-source MajorCore Arduino hardware package on GitHub adds full Arduino IDE support to the ATmega8515, giving students a modern toolchain on a classic architecture. External memory interfacing exercises (up to 64 KB SRAM) teach bus design not possible on smaller AVRs, while UART, SPI, and TWI cover all common serial protocols in one chip. At roughly $6 per unit as of 2026-09-18, it remains an affordable teaching and hobby staple.
Recommended
Serial Communication Gateways
The ATMEGA8515-16PC serves as a protocol converter between UART, SPI, and TWI domains in small gateways. Its single UART runs standard rates up to 115200 baud at 16 MHz with low error, while the SPI and TWI masters connect to sensors, EEPROMs, and displays simultaneously. Buffered single-cycle interrupt response at 16 MIPS minimizes serial overrun risk at high data rates. The external SRAM interface provides FIFO buffering for burst traffic beyond the 512-byte internal SRAM. In 5V industrial environments, native 4.5V to 5.5V operation interfaces directly with RS-485 and RS-232 transceivers without level shifting, and the commercial 0C to +70C grade covers indoor control-room installations.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA8515-16PC — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA8515-16PU | ATMEGA8515-16PI | ATMEGA162-16PU | ATMEGA8515L-8PU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Memory | 8 KB (4K x 16) | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB |
| Internal SRAM | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 1 KB | 512 B |
| Max Clock Speed | 16 MHz (16 MIPS) | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 8 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.7 V to 5.5 V |
| UART Count | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Key Differentiators
- External memory expansion up to 64 KB (vs ATMEGA8-16PI)
- Double SRAM and second UART in same footprint (vs ATMEGA162-16PU)
- Low-voltage capability in the same package (vs ATMEGA8515L-8PU)
Design Notes
Decouple VCC (pin 5) and AVCC (pin 27) with 100 nF ceramic capacitors placed within 10 mm of each pin, plus a 4.7 uF to 10 uF bulk capacitor near the board entry. AVCC must be tied to VCC even if the analog comparator is unused, per the Microchip ATmega8515 datasheet connection guidelines; leaving AVCC floating is a common cause of erratic reset behavior. At 16 MHz and 5V, expect active-mode supply current in the milliamp range - verify against the datasheet electrical characteristics table for your exact supply budget.
Keep the XTAL1/XTAL2 crystal traces as short as possible and surround them with a ground guard ring. Fit a 10 kOhm pull-up on the active-low RESET pin (pin 4) for reliable power-up, and consider a diode-to-VCC plus RC network on RESET for brown-out robustness on noisy 5V industrial rails. The ATmega8515 lacks an internal brown-out detector on some grades, so check the datasheet fuse options. When using the external memory bus, keep PORTA/PORTC bus traces matched in length where possible to preserve address setup timing.
Do not run the -16PC grade below 4.5V - derating the supply without changing to the L (low-voltage, 8 MHz max) suffix causes unstable oscillator start-up. Remember that the -16 speed grade is not qualified below the 4.5V floor, and conversely the L-8 grade cannot reach 16 MHz. When programming via SPI ISP, ensure the target system clock is running and avoid driving PB5-PB7 (MOSI/MISO/SCK) from external circuits during programming. Finally, verify RoHS/lead-finish status of your specific lot with the distributor before ordering for compliance-sensitive products.
Compliance Information
RoHS/lead-free status not stated in the provided web data for the -16PC suffix; verify on the DigiKey detail page (listing 522003) or Microchip product page certificate of conformance before ordering. Legacy Atmel PDIP parts exist in both leaded and lead-free finishes.
