ATMEGA8515L-8MC - 8-bit AVR MCU 8KB Flash 8MHz 44-VQFN | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA8515L-8MC ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.04 | $4.04 |
| 10 | $3.72 | $37.20 |
| 100 | $3.35 | $335.00 |
| 500 | $3.02 | $1,510.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.72 | $2,720.00 |
ATMEGA8515L-8MC Overview
An 8-bit AVR microcontroller is a Harvard-architecture RISC processor in which program memory and data memory are accessed on separate buses, allowing most of its 130 powerful instructions to execute in a single clock cycle. Within the embedded systems hierarchy, it belongs to the AVR ATmega family under the broader categories of 8-bit microcontroller, MCU, and semiconductor integrated circuit. MCUs of this class combine CPU, memory, and peripherals in a single chip, serving as the control center of embedded systems.
Key features include 8KB self-programming Flash program memory, 544 bytes of internal SRAM expandable to 64KB via external memory interface, 512B EEPROM for non-volatile data, and a rich peripheral set with UART, SPI, timers, and up to 35 programmable I/O lines. The RISC architecture delivers single-cycle execution for most instructions, giving deterministic timing that favors real-time designs.
Technically, the fully static core permits clock operation down to DC, while the low-power AVR design supports idle and power-down sleep modes for battery-operated equipment. The external memory bus distinguishes the ATmega8515 from smaller ATmega parts, allowing expansion with external SRAM or memory-mapped peripherals. The L suffix indicates the extended voltage-speed grade, and the C suffix denotes the industrial MLF/VQFN package.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, motor and actuator control boards, and legacy embedded systems requiring the external memory interface for data logging or display expansion.
A key design consideration: the -8 grade guarantees full specification across 2.7V to 5.5V at 8 MHz, so do not clock above 8 MHz at 3.3V without derating review.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, pinout guidance, and practical design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA8515L-8MC — 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 ATMEGA8515L-8MC (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Instruction Set, SRAM, EEPROM, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA8515L-8MUR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA8515-16MUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA8515L-8MU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.54 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA8515-16MU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.12 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA8535L-8MI
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA8535L-8MC
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.68 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA8515L-8MC Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | AVR |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Speed | 8 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 8 KB (4K x 16) |
| SRAM | 512 B internal (544 B with extended I/O), up to 64 KB external |
| EEPROM | 512 B |
| Operating Voltage | 2.7 V to 5.5 V |
| Instruction Set | 130 powerful instructions, most single-cycle |
| Package | 44-VQFN (7x7 mm) Exposed Pad (MLF) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| External Memory Interface | Up to 64 KB external SRAM |
| Peripherals | UART, SPI, Timer/Counters |
| I/O Count | 35 programmable I/O lines |
| Programmability | In-System Programmable (ISP) Flash |
| Architecture | Harvard RISC, fully static |
| Max Throughput | Up to 16 MIPS at 16 MHz (device family capability) |
ATMEGA8515L-8MC 44-vqfn (7x7 mm) exposed pad (mlf) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATMEGA8515L-8MC (44-vqfn (7x7 mm) exposed pad (mlf) 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 ATMEGA8515L-8MC.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATMEGA8515L-8MC is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panels, Data Logging with External SRAM Expansion, Motor and Actuator Control, Legacy Embedded System Maintenance, Display and Keypad Human-Machine Interfaces, Battery-Powered Instrumentation.
Industrial Control Panels
The ATMEGA8515L-8MC suits industrial control panels that need many parallel I/O lines and deterministic timing. Its 35 programmable I/O lines drive relays, indicators, and keypads directly, while the fully static AVR core gives single-cycle instruction execution at 8 MHz for predictable scan loops. The 2.7V to 5.5V supply range tolerates noisy industrial 5V rails, and the exposed-pad 44-VQFN package aids heat spreading on 2- or 4-layer PCBs. Using the ISP Flash interface, firmware updates can be performed in the enclosure without removing the MCU. Timers handle PWM for actuator outputs while the UART links to HMI displays or SCADA gateways.
Recommended
Data Logging with External SRAM Expansion
The defining feature of the ATmega8515 family is its external memory interface supporting up to 64KB of external SRAM, which makes this MCU a strong fit for data-logging nodes whose working set exceeds the internal 512B SRAM. Port A acts as the multiplexed address/data bus and Port C supplies upper address lines, so a single 62256-class SRAM chip provides 32KB of buffer storage. The 512B EEPROM preserves configuration and calibration across power cycles, while the 8KB Flash stores logging firmware with self-programming bootloader capability. The 8 MHz L-grade logic runs reliably from a 3.3V rail alongside common low-voltage SRAM and RTC components.
Recommended
Motor and Actuator Control
For motor and actuator control boards, the ATMEGA8515L-8MC provides hardware timers for PWM generation, ample I/O for limit switches and encoder inputs, and deterministic single-cycle RISC execution needed for tight control loops at 8 MHz. The UART interfaces with higher-level controllers or drives RS-485 transceivers for multi-drop networks. The 2.7V-5.5V operating range permits direct interfacing with 5V gate drivers, and the exposed-pad MLF package conducts heat into the PCB for operation in sealed enclosures. Flash ISP allows torque-profile tuning in the field without socketing the device, shortening commissioning time on production lines.
Recommended
Legacy Embedded System Maintenance
Many installed AVR-based products from the early 2000s used the ATmega8515 in MLF packaging, and the ATMEGA8515L-8MC remains the correct repair and continuity part for those designs. Because the die, pinout, and memory map are unchanged, replacement boards can be fabricated and programmed with original firmware and tools, including SPI ISP programmers and classic AVR Studio toolchains. The 8 MHz L-grade preserves the original timing behavior at 3.3V or 5V, avoiding recharacterization of the legacy firmware. Maintaining a drop-in-compatible BOM line protects long-life equipment such as lab instruments, access control units, and telecommunications craft hardware from forced redesign.
Recommended
Display and Keypad Human-Machine Interfaces
HMI sub-panels benefit from the ATMEGA8515L-8MC's combination of 35 I/O lines and the external bus: character LCDs can be driven in 8-bit parallel mode from Port A while the external memory interface multiplexes a memory-mapped graphics buffer in external SRAM. The 8 MHz clock gives roughly 8 MIPS of throughput per Microchip family data, enough to refresh text displays and scan a matrix keypad within human-interface latency limits. The 512B EEPROM stores user settings and language tables. Operating from 5V provides LCD-compatible logic levels without level shifting, simplifying the bill of materials for cost-sensitive panel products.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Instrumentation
The L-grade ATMEGA8515L-8MC operates down to 2.7V, allowing direct power from three alkaline cells or a single lithium cell with a simple LDO, and the AVR core supports idle and power-down sleep modes for duty-cycled battery instruments. The fully static design lets designers halt the clock between measurement bursts, waking via external interrupt from sensors on the I/O lines. The 512B EEPROM holds calibration constants that survive battery replacement, and the SPI interface connects to precision ADCs and real-time clocks. Its 8 MHz grade covers the common 3.6864 MHz and 4 MHz crystal choices used for low-power UART-linked portable instruments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA8515L-8MC — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA8515L-8MUR | ATMEGA8515-16MUR | ATMEGA8535L-8MI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-VQFN (7x7 mm) MLF Exposed Pad | 44-VQFN (7x7 mm) MLF - same | 44-VQFN (7x7 mm) MLF - same | 44-VQFN (7x7 mm) MLF - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology (Atmel legacy) | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Max Speed | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 16 MHz | 8 MHz |
| Flash | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB |
| External Memory Interface | Up to 64 KB | Up to 64 KB | Up to 64 KB | None (0 KB) |
| ADC | No | No | No | Yes - 8ch 10-bit |
Key Differentiators
- External memory interface up to 64KB (vs ATMEGA8535L-8MI)
- Extended low-voltage L-grade operation (vs ATMEGA8515-16MUR)
- MLF footprint continuity for legacy boards (vs ATMEGA8515L-8AU)
Design Notes
The -8 L-grade guarantees full specification from 2.7V to 5.5V at 8 MHz. If your rail is 3.3V, do not substitute the non-L -16 grade without confirming its minimum voltage at your clock frequency, since the standard grade tightens the low-voltage limit in exchange for 16 MHz speed. Decouple VCC and the exposed pad with 100 nF ceramic capacitors placed within 2 mm of the pins, plus 4.7-10 uF bulk per supply domain. Estimated: an 8 MHz AVR draws roughly 10-15 mA active, so even a 3V battery-powered design stays well within a 100 mV droop budget with this decoupling.
The 44-VQFN MLF package has a center exposed pad that must be soldered to a ground-via pattern on the PCB for both mechanical reliability and thermal/electrical performance. Use an array of 3x3 or 4x4 via field under the pad connected to the ground plane. Solder-paste stencil apertures of roughly 70-80% coverage on the pad avoid voiding during reflow. If you migrate to or from TQFP (AU) or PLCC (J) variants for legacy reasons, note that the land patterns differ completely - MLF alternatives on this page are footprint-compatible, AU/J parts are not.
When using the external memory interface, Port A and Port C are consumed by the address/data bus - do not plan general-purpose I/O on those ports simultaneously, or your effective I/O count drops from 35. Also, firmware written for the 16 MHz -16 parts may have baud-rate and delay constants that break at 8 MHz; recompute the UBRR UART divisor (for example, 8 MHz with U2X off gives UBRR=51 for 9600 baud) and recalibrate any cycle-count delays. Keep reset enabled with the internal brown-out detector for industrial rails.
The multiplexed external bus on Port A switches many pins simultaneously; add 22-33 ohm series resistors on the bus to control ringing and ground bounce at 8 MHz, and route it as short as practical with a ground return. Unused I/O should be defined as inputs with internal pull-ups enabled or driven low as outputs to avoid floating-pin EMI, per classic AVR design practice.
Compliance Information
Compliance data was not present in the provided web data; verify against the Microchip product page and environmental data sheets before procurement.
