ATMEGA88PA-MMHR - 8-bit AVR MCU 20MHz 8KB Flash 28-VQFN | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA88PA-MMHR β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.1 | $3.10 |
| 10 | $2.85 | $28.50 |
| 100 | $2.55 | $255.00 |
| 500 | $2.3 | $1,150.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.05 | $2,050.00 |
ATMEGA88PA-MMHR Overview
A microcontroller unit (MCU) is a single integrated circuit that combines a processor core, program memory, data memory, and peripherals into one chip, forming the lowest tier of the embedded-processing hierarchy (MCU -> system-on-chip -> application processor -> computing platform). The AVR family popularized the Harvard-architecture 8-bit RISC MCU, and the ATmega88 line sits in the mid-range ATmega segment, sitting below the ATmega328P used in Arduino boards and above the ATtiny series.
Key features include the picoPower technology suite for sub-uA sleep currents, 23 general-purpose I/O lines, three flexible timer/counters with compare modes, a 10-bit 8-channel ADC, and both TWI (I2C-compatible) and SPI serial interfaces. The 130-instruction AVR RISC core executes most single-clock instructions, delivering up to 20 MIPS at 20 MHz with 32 general-purpose working registers directly connected to the ALU.
The PA suffix denotes the picoPower generation: it improves on the ATMEGA88A with lower power consumption across all sleep modes, supporting battery-powered and energy-harvesting designs. In-System Programmable (ISP) Flash with read-while-write support, plus debugWIRE on-chip debugging through the RESET line, simplify firmware updates and production programming using tools such as the MPLAB SNAP.
Typical applications include consumer appliances, HVAC and building automation nodes, battery-powered sensor end-points, small motor-control and LED-lighting controllers, and general embedded products that need a proven, low-cost 8-bit platform.
Design consideration: verify the supply-voltage-to-frequency derating - full 20 MHz operation requires a 4.5 V to 5.5 V supply, while 1.8 V operation limits the clock to 4 MHz per the AVR speed grade.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, pinout data, and practical design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet, providing buyers and engineers a single citable reference for the ATMEGA88PA-MMHR.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA88PA-MMHR 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 ATMEGA88PA-MMHR (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Communication Interfaces, Operating Temperature, Core Processor, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA88A-MMHR
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$0.86 / Unit
View Datasheet βATMEGA168PA-MMHR
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA48PA-MMHR
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet βATMEGA328P-MMHR
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA88PA-CCUR
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$1.08 / Unit
View Datasheet βATMEGA88PA-MMHR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | AVR (8-bit RISC) |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Speed (Max Clock) | 20 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 8 KB (4K x 16) |
| EEPROM | 512 B |
| SRAM | 1 KB |
| General Purpose I/O | 23 |
| Timers/Counters | 3 (two 8-bit, one 16-bit) |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit |
| Communication Interfaces | TWI (I2C), SPI, USART |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V / 3.3 V / 5 V operating points (1.8 V to 5.5 V family range) |
| Package | 28-VQFN (4x4 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (R suffix) |
| Technology | picoPower low-power AVR |
| Programming / Debug | ISP (In-System Programming), debugWIRE |
| Lifecycle Status | ACTIVE |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
ATMEGA88PA-MMHR Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PC6 (RESET) β Reset input / debugWIRE pin, active low |
| Pin 2 | PD0 (RXD) β Port D bit 0 / USART receive |
| Pin 3 | PD1 (TXD) β Port D bit 1 / USART transmit |
| Pin 4 | PD2 (INT0) β Port D bit 2 / external interrupt 0 |
| Pin 5 | PD3 (INT1/OC2B) β Port D bit 3 / external interrupt 1 / Timer2 PWM output B |
| Pin 6 | PD4 (T0/XCK) β Port D bit 4 / Timer0 external clock / USART external clock |
| Pin 7 | VCC β Digital supply voltage |
| Pin 8 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 9 | PB6 (XTAL1/TOSC1) β Port B bit 6 / crystal oscillator pin 1 / Timer oscillator |
| Pin 10 | PB7 (XTAL2/TOSC2) β Port B bit 7 / crystal oscillator pin 2 / Timer oscillator |
| Pin 11 | PD5 (T1/OC0B) β Port D bit 5 / Timer1 external clock / Timer0 PWM output B |
| Pin 12 | PD6 (AIN0/OC0A) β Port D bit 6 / analog comparator positive input / Timer0 PWM output A |
| Pin 13 | PD7 (AIN1) β Port D bit 7 / analog comparator negative input |
| Pin 14 | PB0 (ICP1/CLKO) β Port B bit 0 / Timer1 input capture / system clock output |
| Pin 15 | PB1 (OC1A) β Port B bit 1 / Timer1 PWM output A |
| Pin 16 | PB2 (SS/OC1B) β Port B bit 2 / SPI slave select / Timer1 PWM output B |
| Pin 17 | PB3 (MOSI/OC2A) β Port B bit 3 / SPI master output / Timer2 PWM output A |
| Pin 18 | PB4 (MISO) β Port B bit 4 / SPI master input |
| Pin 19 | PB5 (SCK) β Port B bit 5 / SPI serial clock |
| Pin 20 | AVCC β ADC supply voltage |
| Pin 21 | AREF β ADC analog reference input |
| Pin 22 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 23 | PC0 (ADC0) β Port C bit 0 / ADC channel 0 |
| Pin 24 | PC1 (ADC1) β Port C bit 1 / ADC channel 1 |
| Pin 25 | PC2 (ADC2) β Port C bit 2 / ADC channel 2 |
| Pin 26 | PC3 (ADC3) β Port C bit 3 / ADC channel 3 |
| Pin 27 | PC4 (ADC4/SDA) β Port C bit 4 / ADC channel 4 / TWI data |
| Pin 28 | PC5 (ADC5/SCL) β Port C bit 5 / ADC channel 5 / TWI clock |
Typical Applications
ATMEGA88PA-MMHR is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor End Points, Home Appliance and HVAC Control, LED Lighting and Dimming Controllers, Small Motor Control and Fan Drivers, Industrial HMI and Front-Panel Controllers, Consumer Electronics and Toys.
Battery-Powered Sensor End Points
The ATMEGA88PA-MMHR fits battery-powered sensor nodes because picoPower technology cuts current draw in power-down and power-save sleep modes, letting a coin-cell or two-AA supply last months to years. The node sleeps with only an 8-bit timer or pin-change interrupt active, wakes to sample a sensor over the 10-bit ADC or TWI bus, processes the reading within the 1 KB SRAM, then returns to sleep. Firmware must be kept lean to fit the 8 KB Flash; running the clock at 1-4 MHz from the internal RC oscillator reduces active current dramatically. Because full 20 MHz operation needs 4.5-5.5 V, low-voltage battery designs should accept the derated clock rather than a boost converter.
Recommended
Home Appliance and HVAC Control
White-goods and HVAC sub-controllers use the ATMEGA88PA-MMHR for its three flexible timer/counters, which generate PWM for fan and damper motor drive, and the 10-bit ADC, which reads NTC temperature sensors and pot Setpoint inputs directly. The 23 GPIO lines switch relays and read panel buttons without external port expanders, while the watchdog timer adds safety for mains-adjacent equipment. The picoPower profile suits standby-mode energy regulations, since the controller can power down between state changes. Operating from a 5 V rail derived from the appliance supply allows the full 20 MHz clock for responsive control loops. debugWIRE over the RESET line simplifies firmware iteration during appliance certification cycles.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Dimming Controllers
Dimmable LED drivers benefit from the ATMEGA88PA-MMHR hardware PWM: the 16-bit Timer/Counter1 provides high-resolution phase-correct PWM for flicker-free dimming, while 8-bit timers handle auxiliary channels. The 10-bit ADC monitors LED string current and thermistor temperature, enabling closed-loop current regulation and thermal foldback entirely in firmware. The 5 V tolerant architecture interfaces simply with MOSFET gate drivers from a supply derived from the mains SMPS. Low standby power supports DALI-compliant idle requirements, and the TWI port links to DALI or DMX daughter transceivers. With 8 KB Flash there is room for a dimming curve, communication parser, and fault-handling state machine.
Recommended
Small Motor Control and Fan Drivers
Brushed DC and small BLDC fan controllers exploit the ATMEGA88PA-MMHR compare-match outputs for complementary PWM, plus the analog comparator and ADC for back-EMF sensing and stall detection. The 16-bit timer captures input events such as hall-sensor or tacho pulses, allowing closed-loop speed regulation without external counting logic. Its 5 V operation directly drives logic-level MOSFET pre-drivers, and the 8 KB Flash holds commutation tables plus a PID loop. The picoPower idle modes suit duty-cycled pump applications, waking on a periodic timer to jog the motor. Debugging via debugWIRE on the single RESET line leaves the remaining 23 GPIO free for motor and protection signals.
Recommended
Industrial HMI and Front-Panel Controllers
Front-panel controllers for industrial equipment use the ATMEGA88PA-MMHR to scan keypad matrices, drive 7-segment or multiplexed LED displays, and communicate commands to a main controller over SPI or TWI. The 23 GPIO lines cover a 4x4 keypad plus display segments directly; Timer/Counter2 keeps a display refresh with zero CPU overhead using its compare interrupt. Noise immunity comes from the internal brown-out detector and watchdog, which reset the panel cleanly through supply dips common on factory floors. The 5 V supply lets it meet legacy industrial logic levels without level shifting, and the exposed-pad VQFN grounds well for EMC. 8 KB Flash fits display fonts plus a robust communication parser.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics and Toys
Cost-sensitive consumer products such as toys, small appliances, and novelty electronics choose the ATMEGA88PA-MMHR for its low unit price at 1000-piece quantities and its single-chip integration of clock, ADC, PWM, and serial peripherals - eliminating external components. The internal 8 MHz RC oscillator removes the need for a crystal in non-timing-critical designs, freeing two GPIOs (PB6/PB7) for I/O and cutting BOM cost. 8 KB Flash and 1 KB SRAM handle sound-effect playback state machines, LED animation, and button handling. The picoPower profile supports automatic power-down in battery toys, extending shelf life. Tape-and-reel packaging suits high-volume automated assembly.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA88PA-MMHR β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA88A-MMHR | ATMEGA168PA-MMHR | ATMEGA48PA-MMHR | ATMEGA328P-MMHR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-VQFN (4x4 mm) | 28-VQFN (4x4 mm) - same | 28-VQFN (4x4 mm) - same | 28-VQFN (4x4 mm) - same | 28-VQFN (4x4 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 8 KB (4K x 16) | 8 KB (4K x 16) | 16 KB (8K x 16) | 4 KB (2K x 16) | 32 KB (16K x 16) |
| SRAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 512 B | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 256 B | 1 KB |
| Max Clock Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| GPIO Count | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
| Low-Power Technology | picoPower (PA) | Standard (higher sleep current) | picoPower (PA) | picoPower (PA) | picoPower (P) |
Key Differentiators
- picoPower sleep currents at mid-range price (vs ATMEGA88A-MMHR)
- Flash-per-dollar upgrade path without PCB change (vs ATMEGA168PA-MMHR)
- Balanced memory for the footprint (vs ATMEGA48PA-MMHR)
- Cost optimization versus the 328P flagship (vs ATMEGA328P-MMHR)
Design Notes
Match the supply rail to the required clock: 20 MHz needs 4.5-5.5 V per the AVR speed-grade curve, while 3.3 V systems should cap the clock near 8 MHz and 1.8 V near 4 MHz (Estimated: from the AVR frequency-vs-VCC derating relationship; consult the family datasheet graph for exact envelope). Provide 100 nF ceramic decoupling directly across VCC/GND plus 100 nF on AVCC with a 10 uH ferrite or low-pass RC feeding AVCC from the digital rail to keep ADC noise low. Always connect the exposed pad to GND.
Keep the RESET (PC6, pin 1) trace short and fit a 10 k pull-up; RESET doubles as the debugWIRE and ISP line, so route it away from switching nodes. Place the 16 MHz crystal (if used) within 5-10 mm of PB6/PB7 with 12-22 pF load capacitors and a guard ground ring. Separate the analog ground region under AREF/AVCC/ADC0-5 from digital return currents, joining at a single point near the exposed pad.
Do not migrate firmware from ATMEGA88A or ATMEGA328P assuming identical fuse defaults - extended fuse values (BOD level, brown-out enable) differ across family members and an incorrect fuse write can brick the part to the point of needing high-voltage parallel rescue. Also note ADC6/ADC7 exist only on QFN/TQFP packages, so code written for a 32-pin variant referencing those channels will not compile for this 28-pad part. Confirm sleep-mode current figures against the picoPower datasheet tables, not the non-PA revision.
Estimated: at 20 MHz and 5 V with all GPIO lightly loaded, an AVR ATmega88 typically dissipates well under 200 mW, so the exposed-pad VQFN (4x4 mm) with a modest ground pour keeps junction temperature far below the absolute maximum. Thermal management becomes relevant only when driving many LEDs or high-capacitance loads from GPIO pins - keep per-pin sink/source currents within datasheet absolute maximums and add copper area if aggregate port current approaches the port limit.
Compliance Information
Distributor listings indicate RoHS compliance for the ATMEGA88PA-MMHR. AEC-Q100 qualification is not claimed for this consumer/industrial grade part (automotive variants use separate order codes). REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals status should be confirmed via the Microchip compliance portal.
