ATPL100A-AZU-Y - 8051 Power Line Comms MCU 144-LQFP | Microchip
MPN: ATPL100A-AZU-Y ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $11.69 | $11.69 |
| 10 | $11.1 | $111.00 |
| 100 | $10.52 | $1,052.00 |
| 500 | $9.99 | $4,995.00 |
| 1,000 | $9.49 | $9,490.00 |
ATPL100A-AZU-Y Overview
A power line communications microcontroller is an application-specific microcontroller (ASMC) that transmits and receives data over existing AC mains or DC power wiring, eliminating the need for dedicated communication cabling. In the embedded hierarchy it sits under microcontrollers -> application specific MCUs -> system-on-chip (SoC), combining a processor core, memory, and a PLC modem front end in one device.
Key features include the 8051-compatible processor core, 128K x 8 SRAM for program and data storage, a wide 144-pin LQFP footprint providing abundant GPIO and analog I/O for PLC signal conditioning, and a 3V to 3.6V supply range typical of narrowband PLC designs. The device supports FSK modulation for robust communication over noisy power lines.
Technically, the ATPL100A integrates an 8051 core with the PHY/MAC functionality required for power line networking. Because program memory is SRAM rather than flash, code is typically loaded at boot from external non-volatile memory, allowing field-updatable firmware in deployed metering and automation nodes. The 144-pin package provides the pin count needed for the PLC analog front end interface, external memory bus, and general-purpose control I/O.
Typical applications include smart energy metering, street lighting control networks, home automation, and industrial data acquisition over power lines. In these nodes, the ATPL100A handles both protocol processing and physical-layer signaling over the mains or DC bus.
Designers should note the 3V to 3.6V supply window: a clean, well-regulated 3.3V rail with adequate decoupling is mandatory, and the SRAM-based program memory requires a defined boot-load mechanism in the system design.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, verified as of 2026-09-19.
Drop-in alternatives for ATPL100A-AZU-Y — 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 ATPL100A-AZU-Y (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Processor, Package, Packaging, Modulation, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATPL100A-AZU-Y40
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATPL230A-AKU-Y
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATPL210A-A1U-Y
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATPL250AG55J19-Y
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.25 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATPL100A-AZU-Y Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | 8051 (ADD8051C3A) |
| Application | Power Line Communications (PLC) |
| Program Memory Type | SRAM |
| RAM Size | 128K x 8 |
| Supply Voltage Range | 3V to 3.6V |
| Modulation | FSK |
| Package / Case | 144-LQFP (16x16 mm) |
| Supplier Device Package | 144-LQFP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tray |
| Programmable | Not Verified |
ATPL100A-AZU-Y 144-lqfp Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATPL100A-AZU-Y (144-lqfp 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 ATPL100A-AZU-Y.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATPL100A-AZU-Y is suitable for 6 applications: Smart Energy Metering, Street Lighting Control, Home Automation over Power Lines, Industrial Data Acquisition over DC Buses, Building Management and Elevator Communications, Solar and Renewable Energy Monitoring.
Smart Energy Metering
The ATPL100A-AZU-Y fits smart electricity meters where consumption data must travel over the existing mains wiring rather than dedicated communication cable. Its FSK power line modem and 8051 core with 128K x 8 SRAM handle both physical-layer signaling and metering protocol processing in one 144-LQFP device, operating on a tightly regulated 3V to 3.6V rail. Placed after the metering front end, it couples to the power line through a coupling circuit and drives data bursts onto the 50/60 Hz mains. The trade-off is that FSK offers lower data rates than modern PRIME-compliant parts, so it suits legacy meter fleets rather than new smart-grid rollouts.
Recommended
Street Lighting Control
In street lighting networks, the ATPL100A-AZU-Y enables dimming commands and status reporting to travel to each luminaire over the existing power cabling, eliminating the cost of separate control wiring. The FSK PLC modulation is robust against the switching noise generated by lamp drivers, and the 144-LQFP package provides enough GPIO to interface with relay drivers and photocells. With its 3V to 3.6V supply, a small buck regulator derives the node's logic rail from the mains. Designers should budget transmit-current headroom in the supply decoupling, since PLC bursts draw pulsed current; the part's obsolete status favors repair of existing networks over new installations.
Recommended
Home Automation over Power Lines
The ATPL100A-AZU-Y supports home automation nodes - switches, dimmers, sensor hubs - that communicate through household AC wiring, removing the need for RF planning or new cabling. The integrated 8051 core executes automation logic locally while the FSK PLC modem exchanges commands and telemetry with a central controller. Its 128K x 8 SRAM accommodates protocol stacks without external memory beyond the boot loader device. Because legacy FSK PLC has lower data throughput than broadband alternatives, it is best for command-and-status traffic rather than media streaming. New designs should evaluate Microchip's PRIME-compliant ATPL230 series for better interoperability and factory support.
Recommended
Industrial Data Acquisition over DC Buses
In industrial plants, the ATPL100A-AZU-Y can carry sensor readings from distributed acquisition points across shared DC power buses, such as 24V control wiring, using its FSK PLC modem. The 8051 core with 128K x 8 SRAM buffers readings and executes retry logic against the noisy electrical environment typical of motor-driven facilities. Operating from a 3V to 3.6V rail, it requires a clean local regulator and robust coupling network on the bus. Its wide 144-LQFP I/O accommodates front-end conditioning circuitry. For new industrial nodes, the active ATPL210/ATPL230 series offers modern compliance, but the ATPL100A remains practical for sustaining installed legacy fleets.
Recommended
Building Management and Elevator Communications
Building management systems use the ATPL100A-AZU-Y to link HVAC controllers, access panels, and elevator status units across existing power infrastructure, avoiding disruptive cable pulls in finished buildings. The 144-LQFP package's extensive I/O connects to relay outputs and keypad interfaces, while the FSK modem reports alarms and setpoints over the mains. With the obsolete status of this device, such deployments are typically maintenance of an installed base rather than new construction. Designers sustaining these nodes should maintain a boot-memory and firmware-update path, since the SRAM program memory reloads at every power cycle of the 3V to 3.6V rail.
Recommended
Solar and Renewable Energy Monitoring
The ATPL100A-AZU-Y can report inverter and panel telemetry across DC or AC distribution wiring in photovoltaic installations, using FSK power line signaling that tolerates the DC-offset environments found between junction boxes and monitoring gateways. Its 8051 core aggregates channel data while the PLC modem transmits it to a concentrator, with the 3V to 3.6V supply rail derived locally from a small regulator. The 144-LQFP footprint supports multiple analog front-end connections. Because PLC performance depends heavily on coupling quality and line impedance in solar arrays, input filtering should be characterized on-site; for new monitoring designs, PRIME-compliant ATPL230-series parts are the supported choice.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATPL100A-AZU-Y — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATPL100A-AZU-Y40 | ATPL230A-AKU-Y | ATPL210A-A1U-Y | ATPL250AG55J19-Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Active | Active | Active |
| Core Processor | 8051 (ADD8051C3A) | 8051 (ADD8051C3A) | PLC SoC (newer generation) | PLC SoC (newer generation) | PLC SoC (higher performance) |
| Application | Power Line Communications (FSK) | Power Line Communications (FSK) | PRIME PLC | PRIME PLC | Power Line Communications |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated FSK PLC modem with 8051 core in one SoC (vs ATPL230A-AKU-Y)
- Pin-compatible speed-graded sibling exists (vs ATPL100A-AZU-Y40)
- Obsolete status is a genuine trade-off (vs ATPL210A-A1U-Y)
Design Notes
The ATPL100A-AZU-Y requires a strictly regulated 3V to 3.6V supply. PLC transmit bursts draw pulsed current through the line-driver interface, so place bulk capacitance (e.g. 100uF bulk plus 10uF and 0.1uF ceramic per supply pin group) close to the IC to prevent rail sag below 3V during transmission, which could reset the 8051 core or corrupt an FSK frame. Estimate the burst current from the datasheet transmit characteristics and size the local regulator with margin above the peak, not just the average.
Program memory is SRAM (128K x 8), not flash: the ATPL100A-AZU-Y loads its firmware at every power-up from external non-volatile memory. Verify your boot-load mechanism, the boot device's power-up timing relative to the MCU reset release, and the integrity of the firmware image (e.g. checksum validation) in the system design. A missing or slow boot source leaves the PLC node silent - a failure mode that only appears in the field, not at bench power-cycling.
In the 144-LQFP (16x16 mm) layout, separate the PLC analog front-end routing from the digital 8051 clock and bus traces to keep coupling noise out of the FSK receive path. Use a solid ground plane, short the analog coupling network to the line with components rated for mains/DC-bus conditions, and observe creepage rules where the power line enters the PCB. Keep crystal/oscillator traces short and guarded. Datasheet reference designs should be followed for the coupling and filter network values.
Compliance Information
Compliance data not stated in the verified distributor data for this obsolete part; consult the Microchip environmental page or request compliance certificates from the stocking distributor (Rochester Electronics).
