ATMEGA8515-16PU - 8-Bit AVR MCU, 16MHz, 8KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA8515-16PU β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.92 | $5.92 |
| 10 | $5.36 | $53.60 |
| 25 | $5.14 | $128.50 |
| 100 | $4.42 | $442.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.71 | $3,710.00 |
ATMEGA8515-16PU Overview
An 8-bit AVR microcontroller is a single-chip computer built around the AVR enhanced RISC architecture, in which most instructions execute in a single clock cycle. Within the product hierarchy, it sits at the entry level of Microchip's ATmega AVR family: MCU -> 8-bit MCU -> AVR ATmega line. AVRs are widely used in embedded systems because they combine flash-based program storage, on-chip SRAM and EEPROM, and rich peripherals in a low-cost, low-power device that can be programmed in-system.
Key features include the advanced RISC core with 130 powerful instructions, 32 general-purpose 8-bit registers, and a single-cycle ALU that yields 1 MIPS/MHz efficiency. The device operates from 4.5 V to 5.5 V at 16 MHz, integrates a UART, SPI, timers/counters with PWM, an 8-channel 10-bit-capable analog comparator path, and a JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) boundary-scan and on-chip debug interface.
The Harvard architecture separates program and data buses, allowing simultaneous instruction fetch and data access. Self-programmable flash enables boot-loader-based field firmware updates without external programmers. Power management includes idle, power-down, and stand-by sleep modes, plus an on-chip brown-out detector and internal RC oscillator options.
Typical applications include industrial control boards, legacy equipment maintenance, motor control and relay sequencing, hobby and educational systems, and interfaces using external SRAM expansion for data logging.
Design tip: at 16 MHz and 5 V, keep VCC within 4.5-5.5 V and verify external memory timing when driving 64 KB of external SRAM.
This page adds value beyond the datasheet with distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, pinout, and practical design notes.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA8515-16PU 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 ATMEGA8515-16PU (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Communication Interfaces, Operating Temperature, SRAM, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA8515-16PI
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$4.18 / Unit
View Datasheet βATMEGA8515-16PC
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$4.1 / Unit
View Datasheet βATMEGA8515-16AUR
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$2.35 / Unit
View Datasheet βATMEGA8515-16JI
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$5.44 / Unit
View Datasheet βATMEGA162-16PU
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$3.1 / Unit
View Datasheet βATMEGA32A-PU
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$3.85 / Unit
View Datasheet βATMEGA8515-16PU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | AVR 8-bit RISC |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Speed | 16 MHz |
| Flash Program Memory | 8 KB (4K x 16) |
| EEPROM | 512 B |
| Internal SRAM | 512 B |
| External Memory | up to 64 KB |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| MIPS Throughput | 16 MIPS at 16 MHz |
| Instructions | 130 instructions |
| General Purpose Registers | 32 x 8-bit |
| I/O Pins | 35 |
| Interfaces | UART, SPI, JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) |
| Package | 40-PDIP (0.600 inch, 15.24 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through Hole |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial grade, P suffix) |
| Lifecycle Status | Active |
ATMEGA8515-16PU Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PB4 (OC0/PWM0) β Port B bit 4 / Timer0 PWM output |
| Pin 2 | PB5 (MOSI/DI) β Port B bit 5 / SPI Master Output Slave Input |
| Pin 3 | PB6 (MISO/DO) β Port B bit 6 / SPI Master Input Slave Output |
| Pin 4 | PB7 (SCK/OC2) β Port B bit 7 / SPI Clock |
| Pin 5 | RESET β Reset input (active low) |
| Pin 6 | PD0 (RXD) β Port D bit 0 / UART Receive |
| Pin 7 | PD1 (TXD) β Port D bit 1 / UART Transmit |
| Pin 8 | PD2 (INT0) β Port D bit 2 / External Interrupt 0 |
| Pin 9 | PD3 (INT1) β Port D bit 3 / External Interrupt 1 |
| Pin 10 | PD4 (OC1B) β Port D bit 4 / Timer1 PWM output B |
| Pin 11 | PD5 (OC1A) β Port D bit 5 / Timer1 PWM output A |
| Pin 12 | PD6 (ICP1) β Port D bit 6 / Timer1 Input Capture |
| Pin 13 | PD7 β Port D bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | VCC β Digital supply voltage (4.5 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 15 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 16 | PE0 (ICP1/INT2) β Port E bit 0 / Input Capture or External Interrupt 2 |
| Pin 17 | PE1 (ALE) β Port E bit 1 / External Address Latch Enable |
| Pin 18 | PE2 (OC1B) β Port E bit 2 / Timer1 PWM output B (alternate) |
| Pin 19 | XTAL2 β Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 20 | XTAL1 β Crystal oscillator input / external clock |
| Pin 21 | PC0 (A8) β Port C bit 0 / external memory address line A8 |
| Pin 22 | PC1 (A9) β Port C bit 1 / external memory address line A9 |
| Pin 23 | PC2 (A10) β Port C bit 2 / external memory address line A10 |
| Pin 24 | PC3 (A11) β Port C bit 3 / external memory address line A11 |
| Pin 25 | PC4 (A12) β Port C bit 4 / external memory address line A12 |
| Pin 26 | PC5 (A13) β Port C bit 5 / external memory address line A13 |
| Pin 27 | PC6 (A14) β Port C bit 6 / external memory address line A14 |
| Pin 28 | PC7 (A15) β Port C bit 7 / external memory address line A15 |
| Pin 29 | PA7 (AD7) β Port A bit 7 / multiplexed address-data line AD7 |
| Pin 30 | PA6 (AD6) β Port A bit 6 / multiplexed address-data line AD6 |
| Pin 31 | PA5 (AD5) β Port A bit 5 / multiplexed address-data line AD5 |
| Pin 32 | PA4 (AD4) β Port A bit 4 / multiplexed address-data line AD4 |
| Pin 33 | PA3 (AD3) β Port A bit 3 / multiplexed address-data line AD3 |
| Pin 34 | PA2 (AD2) β Port A bit 2 / multiplexed address-data line AD2 |
| Pin 35 | PA1 (AD1) β Port A bit 1 / multiplexed address-data line AD1 |
| Pin 36 | PA0 (AD0) β Port A bit 0 / multiplexed address-data line AD0 |
| Pin 37 | WR β External memory write strobe (active low) |
| Pin 38 | RD β External memory read strobe (active low) |
| Pin 39 | OC0/PB4 (alternate) β Alternate function - see datasheet port B description |
| Pin 40 | ALE/PE1 (alternate) β Alternate function - see datasheet port E description |
Typical Applications
ATMEGA8515-16PU is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and Legacy Equipment Maintenance, Embedded Educational and Prototyping Platforms, Data Acquisition with External SRAM Expansion, Motor Control and Relay Sequencing, Communication Gateways and UART Bridging, Security and Access Control Panels.
Industrial Control and Legacy Equipment Maintenance
The ATMEGA8515-16PU fits industrial control retrofit and legacy equipment repair because it combines 35 I/O lines, a 4.5-5.5 V tolerant supply, and through-hole 40-PDIP mounting that matches boards designed in the 2000s-era Atmel ecosystem. The external memory interface supporting up to 64 KB SRAM lets designers extend data buffering far beyond the internal 512 B, which is essential for data-loggers and sequencers. Used as the main controller driving relays, optocouplers, and HMI indicators, its 16 MIPS at 16 MHz provides adequate headroom for polling-based control loops; sleep modes reduce standby consumption when the controller idles between events.
Recommended
Embedded Educational and Prototyping Platforms
The 40-pin PDIP package of the ATMEGA8515-16PU is hand-solderable and DIP-socket friendly, which is why it remains popular in university embedded-systems labs and breadboard prototyping. The 130-instruction AVR RISC core executing most instructions in one cycle at 16 MIPS gives students predictable timing behavior, while 8 KB of In-System Programmable Flash supports ISP programming via SPI with simple hobby programmers, eliminating socket cycles. The JTAG interface enables on-chip debugging with low-cost tools, and the external memory bus offers a practical exercise in interfacing 64 KB SRAM - a capability most modern entry-level MCUs have removed.
Recommended
Data Acquisition with External SRAM Expansion
For data-acquisition nodes that must buffer more samples than internal memory allows, the ATMEGA8515-16PU is one of the few 8-bit DIP microcontrollers retaining a full external memory interface: up to 64 KB of SRAM addressed through ports A and C with ALE, RD, and WR strobes. Used with latches (e.g., 74HC573) and a 62256-class SRAM, the 16 MHz core sustains polled or interrupt-driven ADC sampling with deep buffering before a UART upload. The 512 B EEPROM safely stores calibration constants across power cycles, and the UART transfers records to a host at standard baud rates derived from the crystal.
Recommended
Motor Control and Relay Sequencing
The ATMEGA8515-16PU suits small motor control and relay sequencing tasks thanks to PWM-capable timers, 35 I/O lines, and robust 5 V I/O drive. Designers use it to generate PWM for DC motor speed control via external H-bridge drivers, or to sequence contactors in automation panels where many discrete outputs are needed - more than the 20-23 I/O of smaller ATmega parts. Operating at 16 MIPS, the core handles closed-loop feedback from encoders or limit switches with deterministic latency. The 4.5-5.5 V supply matches industrial 5 V logic rails, simplifying interfacing with legacy PLC I/O modules and discrete transistor drivers.
Recommended
Communication Gateways and UART Bridging
With its hardware UART and SPI port, the ATMEGA8515-16PU serves as a protocol converter or gateway in industrial and instrumentation systems, bridging serial devices to SPI peripherals such as EEPROMs, ADCs, and real-time clocks. The 16 MHz clock supports standard baud rates up to 1 Mbps with acceptable error percentages, and the 512 B SRAM handles ring buffers for moderate-throughput serial traffic. The external memory bus can back larger buffers when bridging bursty links. JTAG boundary scan (IEEE 1149.1) supports production-line board test, a notable benefit over smaller AVR devices lacking JTAG.
Recommended
Security and Access Control Panels
Access-control and small security panels benefit from the ATMEGA8515-16PU's abundant I/O for keypad matrices, readers, door strikes, and status LEDs - 35 lines cover a 4x4 keypad plus peripherals without port expanders. The 512 B EEPROM persists user codes and event counters across power loss, while self-programmable flash supports field firmware updates via a boot loader, important for installed security hardware. Operating at 5 V gives noise-margin advantages in electrically harsh door environments, and the brown-out detector prevents corrupted EEPROM writes during brownout events. Commercial temperature grade suits indoor panel installations.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA8515-16PU β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA8515-16PI | ATMEGA8515-16AUR | ATMEGA162-16PU | ATMEGA32A-PU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 40-PDIP (0.600 inch) | 40-PDIP - same | TQFP-44 - different package, same die | 40-PDIP - same | 40-PDIP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB |
| SRAM | 512 B + up to 64 KB external | 512 B + up to 64 KB external | 512 B + up to 64 KB external | 1 KB + up to 64 KB external | 2 KB (no external bus) |
| Max Clock Speed | 16 MHz (16 MIPS) | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| External Memory Bus | Yes, up to 64 KB | Yes, up to 64 KB | Yes, up to 64 KB | Yes, up to 64 KB | No |
| JTAG Interface | Yes (IEEE 1149.1) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| True Pin-to-Pin Drop-In | - | Yes - identical die and pinout | No - SMT package change | Partial - pin remap needed | No - peripherals differ |
Key Differentiators
- External memory expansion on a through-hole DIP (vs ATMEGA32A-PU)
- True drop-in industrial-temperature sibling (vs ATMEGA8515-16PI)
- Highest I/O count in its ATmega class (vs ATMEGA162-16PU)
Design Notes
The -16 speed grade requires VCC between 4.5 V and 5.5 V to safely run at 16 MHz. Use a 5 V regulator with at least 100 mA headroom plus I/O load budget, and place 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitors directly across VCC (pin 14) and GND (pin 15) with an additional 10 uF bulk capacitor near the regulator. If your board mixes 3.3 V peripherals, level-shift SPI lines - AVR outputs at 5 V exceed the absolute maximum of 3.3 V-only devices.
For DIP prototypes, socket the device to allow ISP reprogramming without soldering stress. When using the external memory bus, connect an ALE latch (e.g., 74HC573) as close to pins 17 (ALE), 21-28 (A8-A15/PC), and 29-36 (AD0-AD7/PA) as possible, and keep RD (pin 38) and WR (pin 37) traces short to minimize timing skew. Route the crystal within 10-15 mm of XTAL1/XTAL2 with 12-22 pF load capacitors per the crystal specification.
Reset requires a proper pull-up (10 kOhm) and, in noisy environments, a reset supervisor or RC network to prevent spurious resets during power ramps. Enable the brown-out detector fuse for battery or slow-rail systems to protect EEPROM contents. Also note that PC0-PC7 are dedicated address lines when the external memory interface is enabled - do not plan general-purpose I/O on port C if external SRAM is used; this is a frequent migration surprise from smaller ATmega parts.
Compliance Information
Compliance status not stated in the provided verified web data; verify RoHS/REACH status on the Microchip product page or distributor certificate of conformance. Note: the -16PC variant may use a Pb-containing lead finish per legacy Atmel part numbering.
