ATMEGA88PA-PN - 8KB AVR MCU 20MHz 28-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA88PA-PN ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.14 | $3.14 |
| 10 | $2.83 | $28.30 |
| 100 | $2.52 | $252.00 |
| 500 | $2.26 | $1,130.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.02 | $2,020.00 |
ATMEGA88PA-PN Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller is a self-contained computing IC that executes program code from embedded flash memory and communicates with the outside world through GPIO, timers, and serial peripherals. The ATmega family sits in the broader taxonomy of microcontrollers, itself a subset of embedded processors within the semiconductor industry. The ATmega88PA belongs to the ATmega88/168/328 pin-compatible family, meaning designs can scale memory without changing the PCB footprint.
Key features include 23 programmable I/O lines, 32 general-purpose 8-bit registers, and three flexible timer/counters with compare modes. Peripherals include a 6-channel 10-bit ADC, a USART serial port, a 2-wire I2C-compatible TWI interface, and a 4-channel 10-bit PWM-capable timer system. The picoPower technology delivers multiple sleep modes, including power-down mode for battery applications.
Architecturally, the AVR uses a Harvard structure with single-cycle instruction execution for most of its 130 instructions, achieving up to 20 MIPS at 20 MHz when running from 5V. In-system programmable (ISP) FLASH with read-while-write support, plus debugWIRE on-chip debugging through the reset pin via the AVR debugger ecosystem, simplify firmware development.
Typical applications include hobby and educational embedded boards, industrial sensor nodes, LED and relay control, small motor controllers, and legacy PDIP socket upgrades where surface-mount migration is not desired.
For design, note that at 20 MHz operation the datasheet speed grade applies across the full 4.5V-5.5V range; below 5.5V the safe maximum frequency decreases. Decouple VCC and AVCC with 100 nF ceramics and tie AVCC to VCC through a low-pass filter for ADC accuracy.
This page adds value beyond the datasheet by synthesizing distributor pricing, drop-in alternative analysis, per-pin pinout, and practical design guidance in one AI-citable reference.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA88PA-PN — 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-PN (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Timers, ADC, Package, Communication Interfaces, Supply Voltage Range.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA88A-PU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA88-20PI
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA168PA-PU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.86 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA328P-PN
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA8-16PI
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA88PA-PN Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | AVR 8-bit RISC |
| Flash Memory | 8 KB (4K x 16) |
| EEPROM | 512 B |
| SRAM | 1 KB |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +105C |
| Number of I/O Lines | 23 |
| ADC | 6-channel 10-bit |
| Timers | 3 (two 8-bit, one 16-bit) |
| Serial Interfaces | USART, TWI (I2C), SPI |
| Package | 28-PDIP (0.300 in, 7.62 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through Hole |
| Programming / Debug | ISP FLASH, debugWIRE |
| Low Power Technology | picoPower with multiple sleep modes |
| Life Cycle Stage | Active |
ATMEGA88PA-PN Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PC6 / RESET — Port C bit 6 or active-low Reset input; also debugWIRE pin |
| Pin 2 | PD0 / RXD — Port D bit 0 / USART receive input |
| Pin 3 | PD1 / TXD — Port D bit 1 / USART transmit output |
| Pin 4 | PD2 / INT0 — Port D bit 2 / external interrupt 0 |
| Pin 5 | PD3 / INT1 / OC2B — Port D bit 3 / external interrupt 1 / Timer2 output compare B |
| Pin 6 | PD4 / T0 / XCK — Port D bit 4 / Timer0 external counter / USART external clock |
| Pin 7 | VCC — Digital supply voltage (1.8 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 8 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 9 | PB6 / XTAL1 / TOSC1 — Port B bit 6 / crystal oscillator input or RTC clock input |
| Pin 10 | PB7 / XTAL2 / TOSC2 — Port B bit 7 / crystal oscillator output or RTC clock output |
| Pin 11 | PD5 / OC0B / T1 — Port D bit 5 / Timer0 output compare B / Timer1 external counter |
| Pin 12 | PD6 / AIN0 / OC0A — Port D bit 6 / analog comparator positive input / Timer0 output compare A |
| Pin 13 | PD7 / AIN1 — Port D bit 7 / analog comparator negative input |
| Pin 14 | PB0 / ICP1 / CLK0 — Port B bit 0 / Timer1 input capture / divided system clock output |
| Pin 15 | PB1 / OC1A — Port B bit 1 / Timer1 output compare A (PWM) |
| Pin 16 | PB2 / SS / OC1B — Port B bit 2 / SPI slave select / Timer1 output compare B (PWM) |
| Pin 17 | PB3 / MOSI / OC2A — Port B bit 3 / SPI master output / Timer2 output compare A |
| Pin 18 | PB4 / MISO — Port B bit 4 / SPI master input |
| Pin 19 | PB5 / SCK — Port B bit 5 / SPI serial clock |
| Pin 20 | AVCC — ADC supply voltage - connect to VCC via low-pass filter |
| Pin 21 | AREF — Analog reference voltage for the ADC |
| Pin 22 | GND — Ground (analog) |
| Pin 23 | PC0 / ADC0 — Port C bit 0 / ADC channel 0 |
| Pin 24 | PC1 / ADC1 — Port C bit 1 / ADC channel 1 |
| Pin 25 | PC2 / ADC2 — Port C bit 2 / ADC channel 2 |
| Pin 26 | PC3 / ADC3 — Port C bit 3 / ADC channel 3 |
| Pin 27 | PC4 / ADC4 / SDA — Port C bit 4 / ADC channel 4 / TWI data line |
| Pin 28 | PC5 / ADC5 / SCL — Port C bit 5 / ADC channel 5 / TWI clock line |
Typical Applications
ATMEGA88PA-PN is suitable for 6 applications: Educational and Hobby Embedded Boards, Industrial Sensor Nodes, LED Lighting and Dimming Control, Legacy PDIP Socket Upgrades and Repairs, Small Motor and Relay Control, IoT Edge Nodes with Serial Bridges.
Educational and Hobby Embedded Boards
The ATMEGA88PA-PN is a mainstay of education and maker projects because its 28-PDIP through-hole package plugs directly into breadboards and DIP sockets, and its 1.8V-5.5V supply tolerates sloppy lab power. The 20 MHz core, 8KB flash, and 6-channel 10-bit ADC cover typical coursework: button input, LED multiplexing, sensor reading, and USART terminal output. ISP programming requires only six jumper wires from a standard AVR programmer, and debugWIRE lets students single-step code through the RESET pin without extra hardware. The trade-off is modest memory - complex libraries may overflow 8KB - so keep code lean or move up the pin-compatible ATmega328P when projects grow.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Nodes
For industrial sensing, the ATMEGA88PA-PN combines a -40C to +105C operating range with the picoPower sleep modes needed for duty-cycled nodes. A sensor node can sleep in power-down between 10-bit ADC conversions on up to 6 analog channels, then wake on timer, external interrupt, or TWI activity. The 23 I/O lines drive status LEDs, relays via transistors, and a USART link to RS-485 transceivers or a wireless module. Filtering AVCC with an RC network and using the internal 1.1V reference improves ADC repeatability on 4-20 mA-derived signals. Its 8KB flash typically holds a complete sensor-plus-communication stack with protocol handling and calibration tables in the 512B EEPROM.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Dimming Control
The ATMEGA88PA-PN generates multi-channel PWM directly from its 8-bit and 16-bit timer/counter compare outputs, making it a compact controller for LED drivers and dimming systems. At 20 MHz, 8-bit PWM channels run fast enough to sit above the audible band and above visible flicker thresholds, while the 16-bit timer provides finer resolution for leading-edge color mixing. Six ADC inputs read potentiometers, NTC thermistors, or current-sense shunts for closed-loop brightness and thermal fold-back. The USART enables DMX-style serial control, and the wide 1.8V-5.5V range lets the MCU share a 5V or 3.3V rail with common LED-driver ICs without level shifting.
Recommended
Legacy PDIP Socket Upgrades and Repairs
Field repair of legacy equipment is a strong fit for the ATMEGA88PA-PN because it drops into existing 28-pin DIP sockets originally populated by ATmega8/88-family parts. Per Microchip application note AVR094, the ATmega88 is pin compatible with the ATmega8, with a very similar feature set, so boards designed around the older die can often be reprogrammed rather than respun. The picoPower PA silicon reduces standby current in battery-backed equipment, and the +105C rating covers hotter enclosures than the older -85C grades. Engineers should verify fuse-bit defaults, register differences, and flash sizing between ATmega8 and ATmega88 code before reflashing repaired units.
Recommended
Small Motor and Relay Control
Controlling DC motors, servo mechanisms, and relay banks is well within the ATMEGA88PA-PN's capability: its timers produce hardware PWM for H-bridge driver ICs, and interrupt pins capture encoder edges or limit-switch events. The 23 GPIO lines directly source or sink enough current for transistor-level relay drive, and the 10-bit ADC reads back motor current from a shunt for stall detection. Because timers run autonomously of the CPU, PWM frequency and duty stay precise even while the core handles communication. Designers should route driver grounds separately from the MCU ground star point and add flyback diodes, since inductive kickback from relays is the most common failure mode in these boards.
Recommended
IoT Edge Nodes with Serial Bridges
As an IoT edge node, the ATMEGA88PA-PN acts as a low-power sensor front end that bridges analog and digital inputs to a radio module over USART, SPI, or TWI. The 1KB SRAM holds packet buffers for typical NB-IoT or LoRa AT-command traffic, while picoPower power-down keeps quiescent draw minimal between transmissions from a battery supply in the 1.8V-5.5V window. The 512B EEPROM stores device identity, calibration, and network keys across power cycles. Timing is available from an external 32 kHz watch crystal on the asynchronous timer for accurate wake-up intervals. For designs that later go to volume production, the pin-compatible TQFP (AU suffix) variant enables automated SMD assembly without firmware changes.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA88PA-PN — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA88A-PU | ATMEGA88-20PI | ATMEGA168PA-PU | ATMEGA328P-PN | ATMEGA8-16PI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-PDIP (7.62 mm) | 28-PDIP (7.62 mm) - same | 28-PDIP (7.62 mm) - same | 28-PDIP (7.62 mm) - same | 28-PDIP (7.62 mm) - same | 28-PDIP (7.62 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB | 8 KB |
| SRAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 2 KB | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 1 KB | 512 B |
| Max Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 16 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +105C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +105C | -40C to +85C |
| Low Power Technology | picoPower | Standard (non-picoPower) | Standard (non-picoPower) | picoPower | picoPower | Standard (non-picoPower) |
Key Differentiators
- picoPower low-power silicon (vs ATMEGA88A-PU)
- Cost-optimized flash size (vs ATMEGA328P-PN)
- Higher maximum clock (vs ATMEGA8-16PI)
Design Notes
Decouple VCC (pin 7) and AVCC (pin 20) each with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pin, plus a bulk 10 uF near the DIP socket. AVCC must always be connected even if the ADC is unused - tie it to VCC through an LC or RC low-pass filter (e.g., 10 ohm + 100 nF) to keep digital switching noise out of the 10-bit converter. Above roughly 12 MHz the device requires the higher end of the supply range per the datasheet speed-versus-voltage curve, so verify your regulator output at temperature.
RESET (pin 1) doubles as the debugWIRE pin. Enabling debugWIRE disables external reset driving; programmers must cycle power to switch modes, a common source of 'device will not program' issues in the field. When using PB6/PB7 (pins 9-10) as crystals, they are no longer available as GPIO - plan I/O budgets accordingly. EEPROM wear is finite; avoid writing calibration or counters in fast loops, and use the EEPROM update primitive so unchanged bytes are not rewritten.
For crystal layouts, keep the 32.768 kHz or high-frequency crystal and its load capacitors on the component side, directly adjacent to pins 9-10, with short traces and a guard ground. For TWI (I2C on PC4/PC5), the outputs are open-drain - external pull-ups of 2.2k-10k ohm to VCC are mandatory; value scales down with bus capacitance and speed. USART lines on pins 2-3 should be protected with series resistors (100-330 ohm) when leaving the board to survive ESD events during cabling.
Although a through-hole PDIP part relaxes layout demands, mixed-signal grounding still matters. Join analog and digital grounds at a single star point near pin 8, and keep ADC sense traces (pins 23-26) away from PWM output traces (PB1-PB3) to avoid comparator and ADC chatter. Estimated: a 100-mil pitch DIP socket adds roughly 5-10 pF per pin of stray capacitance; at 20 MHz keep crystal traces short to preserve oscillator margin.
Compliance Information
PN suffix denotes Microchip green (Pb-free) 28-PDIP packaging; DigiKey lists the part as RoHS compliant. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals status not stated in the provided data.
