ATMEGA88-15MZ - 8-Bit AVR MCU 16MHz 8KB Flash QFN-32 | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA88-15MZ β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.41 | $1.41 |
| 10 | $1.3 | $13.00 |
| 100 | $1.15 | $115.00 |
| 500 | $1.02 | $510.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.92 | $920.00 |
ATMEGA88-15MZ Overview
An 8-bit AVR microcontroller is a Harvard-architecture RISC processor that fetches instructions from Flash and data from SRAM in a single clock cycle. Within the power-management and embedded-control hierarchy, it sits at the entry level of the ATmega family, below the ATmega168 and ATmega328P, and executes most of its 130 instructions in one cycle, achieving near 1 MIPS per MHz throughput.
Key features include two 8-bit timers and one 16-bit timer with output compare and PWM channels, a 10-bit ADC with 6 multiplexed single-ended input channels (plus 2 differential channels with programmable gain of 1x, 10x, or 200x), a byte-oriented two-wire serial interface (I2C-compatible), an SPI serial interface, and a programmable serial USART. The picoPower-capable core supports six software-selectable power-saving modes, with idle current and power-down operation suited to battery-operated designs.
The AVR enhanced RISC architecture combines 32 general-purpose working registers directly connected to the arithmetic logic unit, allowing two independent registers to be accessed in one instruction. In-System Programming and In-Application Programming via the SPI port or bootloader permit firmware updates after assembly, while the 512 B EEPROM retains calibration and configuration data through power cycles. Debugging is supported through debugWIRE on the single-wire RESET pin.
Typical applications include industrial automation sensors, automotive-grade body and comfort control modules, smart-home and IoT end nodes, motor control with PWM, and 5V-tolerant legacy designs where the wide 4.5V to 5.5V operating range tolerates unregulated supplies.
For design, place 100 nF decoupling capacitors at every VCC/AVCC pin pair and route the exposed QFN pad to a solid ground plane for thermal and EMC performance.
This page synthesizes verified distributor pricing, drop-in family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA88-15MZ 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 ATMEGA88-15MZ (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Operating Temperature, Package, Program Memory Size, Supply Voltage Range, Peripherals.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA168-15MU
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA328P-15MZ
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA48-15MU
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA8A-MUR
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.7 / Unit
View Datasheet βATMEGA48PV-10MUR
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.85 / Unit
View Datasheet βATMEGA88-15MZ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | AVR |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Speed | 16 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 8 KB (4K x 16) FLASH |
| EEPROM Size | 512 B |
| RAM Size | 1 KB SRAM |
| Supply Voltage Range | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Number of I/O | 23 |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect/Reset, POR, PWM, WDT |
| Connectivity | I2C, SPI, UART/USART |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit |
| ADC Channels | 6 single-ended + 2 differential |
| Timers | Two 8-bit, one 16-bit |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C |
| Package | 32-QFN (5x5 mm) Exposed Pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Throughput | Up to 16 MIPS at 16 MHz |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
ATMEGA88-15MZ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PD3 β Port D, bit 3 (GPIO / INT1) |
| Pin 2 | PD4 β Port D, bit 4 (GPIO / XCK/T0) |
| Pin 3 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 4 | VCC β Digital supply voltage |
| Pin 5 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 6 | VCC β Digital supply voltage |
| Pin 7 | PB6 β Port B, bit 6 (XTAL1/TOSC1 - clock input) |
| Pin 8 | PB7 β Port B, bit 7 (XTAL2/TOSC2 - clock output) |
| Pin 9 | PD5 β Port D, bit 5 (GPIO / T1 / OC0B) |
| Pin 10 | PD6 β Port D, bit 6 (GPIO / AIN0 / OC0A) |
| Pin 11 | PD7 β Port D, bit 7 (GPIO / AIN1) |
| Pin 12 | PB0 β Port B, bit 0 (GPIO / ICP1 / OC0A alternate) |
| Pin 13 | PB1 β Port B, bit 1 (GPIO / OC1A) |
| Pin 14 | PB2 β Port B, bit 2 (GPIO / SS / OC1B) |
| Pin 15 | PB3 β Port B, bit 3 (GPIO / MOSI / OC2A) |
| Pin 16 | PB4 β Port B, bit 4 (GPIO / MISO) |
| Pin 17 | PB5 β Port B, bit 5 (GPIO / SCK) |
| Pin 18 | AVCC β ADC supply voltage |
| Pin 19 | ADC6 β ADC input channel 6 |
| Pin 20 | AREF β Analog reference voltage |
| Pin 21 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 22 | ADC7 β ADC input channel 7 |
| Pin 23 | PC0 β Port C, bit 0 (GPIO / ADC0 / SCL alternate) |
| Pin 24 | PC1 β Port C, bit 1 (GPIO / ADC1 / SDA alternate) |
| Pin 25 | PC2 β Port C, bit 2 (GPIO / ADC2 / TOSC2 alternate) |
| Pin 26 | PC3 β Port C, bit 3 (GPIO / ADC3 / TOSC1 alternate) |
| Pin 27 | PC4 β Port C, bit 4 (GPIO / ADC4 / SDA) |
| Pin 28 | PC5 β Port C, bit 5 (GPIO / ADC5 / SCL) |
| Pin 29 | PC6 β Port C, bit 6 (RESET / debugWIRE) |
| Pin 30 | PD0 β Port D, bit 0 (GPIO / RXD) |
| Pin 31 | PD1 β Port D, bit 1 (GPIO / TXD) |
| Pin 32 | PD2 β Port D, bit 2 (GPIO / INT0) |
Typical Applications
ATMEGA88-15MZ is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation and Sensor Nodes, Automotive Body and Comfort Control Modules, Smart Home and IoT End Nodes, Motor Control with PWM, Consumer Appliances and Legacy 5V Replacements, Test, Measurement, and Hobby Embedded Systems.
Industrial Automation and Sensor Nodes
The ATMEGA88-15MZ fits industrial sensor acquisition nodes because its 10-bit ADC with 6 single-ended channels and 2 differential channels with 10x/200x programmable gain directly digitizes bridge and ratiometric sensors without external amplifiers in many designs. Operating from a 5V industrial supply (4.5V to 5.5V range), the 16 MHz AVR core executes control loops and communication tasks at up to 16 MIPS. The SPI, I2C, and USART links connect displays, actuators, and field buses, while the watchdog timer with separate on-chip oscillator improves fail-safe recovery in continuously running equipment. Its wide voltage tolerance absorbs supply droop on long cable runs typical of factory wiring.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Comfort Control Modules
According to Microchip USA, the ATMEGA88-15MZ is an automotive-grade component, making it appropriate for body electronics such as seat-position memory, lighting control, mirror adjustment, and climate-panel interfaces. The -40C to +85C operating range covers passenger-compartment environments, the brown-out detector and power-on reset guarantee deterministic startup during crank transients, and the 5V-tolerant 4.5V to 5.5V supply range matches legacy automotive 5V rails. PWM outputs from the 16-bit timer drive lamp dimmers and small motors, while EEPROM stores calibration and learned-position data through power cycles without external nonvolatile memory.
Recommended
Smart Home and IoT End Nodes
For smart-home nodes such as wall switches, thermostat interfaces, and RF-linked sensors, the ATMEGA88-15MZ combines a low-cost 8-bit core with the connectivity needed to drive sub-GHz or 2.4 GHz radio modules over SPI. Six software-selectable sleep modes, including power-down, let the MCU sleep between sampling events, and the asynchronous timer keeps real-time counting in power-save mode. The 512 B EEPROM retains device configuration and network keys without battery backup. Designers should note that the -15MZ 5V grade draws more active current than picoPower -V variants, so battery designs should evaluate the ATMEGA88V or 328P for longer sleep-dominated life.
Recommended
Motor Control with PWM
The ATMEGA88-15MZ drives small DC and stepper motors using its two 8-bit timers and one 16-bit timer, each providing independent prescalers, compare modes, and PWM outputs; the 16-bit timer supports phase-correct and fast PWM at up to 16-bit resolution for quiet fan and pump control. Running at 16 MHz yields fine PWM granularity at audible-suppression frequencies near 20 kHz. Quadrature or Hall feedback is captured through pin-change interrupts on the 23 GPIO lines, and the ADC reads current-sense shunts with 10-bit resolution. Its 5V I/O directly interfaces with gate drivers and H-bridge inputs without level translation in most 5V designs.
Recommended
Consumer Appliances and Legacy 5V Replacements
In washing machines, small kitchen appliances, and remote controls, the ATMEGA88-15MZ provides a cost-effective control core with enough peripherals for keypad scanning, LED or LCD driving, buzzer tone generation, and triac control with zero-cross detection. Its tolerance of a 4.5V to 5.5V unregulated supply, derived inexpensively from mains via a capacitive dropper or linear regulator, suits cost-sensitive appliance boards. As original ATmega8 stock becomes scarce, this pin-compatible 8 KB part with twice the SRAM (1 KB) serves as a modern replacement, requiring only recompilation per Microchip application note AVR094 due to relocated interrupt vectors.
Recommended
Test, Measurement, and Hobby Embedded Systems
The ATMEGA88-15MZ is widely used in instrumentation front-ends, DIY development boards, and educational platforms because the AVR core is supported by Atmel Studio, MPLAB X, AVR-GCC, and Arduino-compatible bootloaders. The 10-bit ADC samples analog inputs for meters and data loggers, the USART streams results to a PC, and In-System Programming via the 6-pin SPI header allows firmware updates in the enclosure without removing the chip. debugWIRE over the single RESET pin (PC6) provides on-chip debugging with only one wire plus ground, a distinct advantage over older ATmega8 devices that required full JTAG or no debug at all.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA88-15MZ β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA168-15MU | ATMEGA328P-15MZ | ATMEGA48-15MU | ATMEGA8A-MUR | ATMEGA48PV-10MUR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 32-QFN (5x5 mm) Exposed Pad | 32-QFN (5x5 mm) - same | 32-QFN (5x5 mm) - same | 32-QFN (5x5 mm) - same | 32-QFN (5x5 mm) - same | 32-QFN (5x5 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) |
| Program Flash | 8 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB | 4 KB | 8 KB | 4 KB |
| SRAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 2 KB | 512 B | 1 KB | 512 B |
| Max Speed | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 20 MHz (20 MHz grade) | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 10 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (picoPower) | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| EEPROM | 512 B | 512 B | 1 KB | 256 B | 512 B | 256 B |
| Debug Interface | debugWIRE | debugWIRE | debugWIRE | debugWIRE | None (pre-debugWIRE) | debugWIRE |
Key Differentiators
- Balanced 8 KB Flash at lowest family cost point (vs ATMEGA328P-15MZ)
- Double the SRAM of the cost-down sibling (vs ATMEGA48-15MU)
- Modern AVR features over the legacy ATmega8 (vs ATMEGA8A-MUR)
- Full-speed 16 MHz 5V operation (vs ATMEGA48PV-10MUR)
Design Notes
The 32-QFN (5x5 mm) exposed pad is the primary ground and heat-removal path. Solder the exposed pad to a grounded array of thermal vias (typically a 3x3 via pattern to an internal ground plane) to achieve low ground inductance and reliable reflow. The 0.5 mm pitch lands require a no-clean or water-washable paste process with stencil apertures at 80-90% of pad area to avoid bridging between the dense perimeter pads.
Place 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitors directly across each VCC-GND pin pair (pins 3/4 and 5/6) and a separate 100 nF plus bulk 4.7-10 uF capacitor at AVCC (pin 18). AVCC must be connected to VCC even if the ADC is unused; the datasheet requires this connection. If ADC noise matters, feed AVCC through an LC filter (10 uH ferrite bead plus 100 nF) from the digital rail and tie AREF (pin 20) to ground through 100 nF when using the internal reference.
PC6 is RESET by default and must not be used as GPIO unless the RSTDISBL fuse is programmed, which permanently disables further ISP reprogramming. If migrating firmware from ATmega8, note per Microchip application note AVR094 that interrupt vector addresses moved and register names changed - recompile rather than port hex files. The -15MZ is a 5V-only speed grade: operating below 4.5 V violates the datasheet; use the ATMEGA88V variants for 2.7-5.5 V battery designs.
Keep the crystal (PB6/PB7) traces under 10 mm with ground guard traces for stable 16 MHz operation; load capacitors typically 18-22 pF for a 16 MHz crystal. Route the SPI ISP header (MOSI PB3, MISO PB4, SCK PB5, RESET PC6) with series 10-100 ohm resistors if the pins drive heavy loads in-circuit, so field reprogramming is never blocked. Separate analog and digital return paths under the ADC channels (pins 19, 22-28) to protect the 10-bit converter from switching noise.
Compliance Information
RoHS-compliant matte-tin finish per the -MZ package suffix. Described as automotive-grade by Microchip USA, but AEC-Q100 qualification status is not explicitly stated in the provided data - verify with Microchip.
