ATPL230A-AKU-Y - PRIME PLC Modem MCU 80-LQFP | Microchip
MPN: ATPL230A-AKU-Y ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1 | $1.00 |
| 10 | $1 | $10.00 |
| 100 | $1 | $100.00 |
| 500 | $1 | $500.00 |
| 1,000 | $1 | $1,000.00 |
ATPL230A-AKU-Y Overview
A power line communications baseband modem is a specialized application-specific IC that transmits and receives digital data over existing AC mains or DC power lines, eliminating the need for dedicated wiring. PLC modems sit within the broader hierarchy of communication ICs, alongside RF transceivers and wired interface ICs, and are foundational building blocks of smart grid and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI).
Key features of the ATPL230A include compliance with PRIME specification versions v1.3 and v1.4, an AES-128 crypto engine for secure payload encryption, and an integrated hardware accelerator and coprocessor architecture that offloads the PRIME PHY layer processing for efficient, low-latency operation. The device supports independently selectable transmission bands up to 472 kHz, covering CENELEC-A, FCC, and ARIB frequency band regulatory domains, with baud rates ranging from 5.4 kbps to 128 kbps.
Technically, the ATPL230A's flexible architecture combines hardware accelerators with programmable processing, allowing the PRIME PHY layer to be implemented with high spectral efficiency and robustness against impulsive noise typical of power line channels. Host communication is provided through an SPI interface, with the modem operating as an external peripheral to a main application processor.
Typical applications include smart metering, street and industrial lighting control, home automation, solar energy systems, and PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) charging infrastructure, where the device provides reliable narrowband PLC connectivity over the mains network.
A key design consideration is supply integrity: the 3V to 3.6V operating window requires a clean regulated rail, and coupling network design to the power line strongly influences PHY performance. Note also that this part is reported as obsolete by distributors, so new designs should evaluate second sourcing.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in family alternatives, and practical design guidance not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATPL230A-AKU-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 ATPL230A-AKU-Y (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Packaging, Product Type, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATPL230A-AKU-R
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.09 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATPL250A-AKU-Y
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATPL250A-AKU-R
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATPL210A-A1U-Y
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATPL100A-AZU-Y
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.49 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATPL230A-AKU-Y Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Device Type | Power Line Communications (PLC) baseband modem MCU |
| PLC Standard | PRIME (PHY layer), v1.3 and v1.4 |
| Maximum Data Rate | 128.6 kbps |
| Baud Rate Range | 5.4 kbps to 128 kbps |
| Frequency Band | CENELEC-A, FCC, ARIB |
| Maximum Transmission Band | 472 kHz |
| Crypto Engine | AES-128 |
| Host Interface | SPI |
| Supply Voltage | 3 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C |
| Package | 80-LQFP (14x14 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tray |
| RoHS Status | Green (GRN IND TEMP) |
| Architecture | Hardware accelerators and coprocessors for PRIME PHY |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete (per distributor data) |
ATPL230A-AKU-Y 80-lqfp (14x14 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATPL230A-AKU-Y (80-lqfp (14x14 mm) 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 ATPL230A-AKU-Y.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATPL230A-AKU-Y is suitable for 6 applications: Smart Metering (AMI), Street Lighting Control, Home Automation, Industrial Lighting and Automation, Solar Energy Systems, PHEV Charging Infrastructure.
Smart Metering (AMI)
Smart electricity meters are the flagship application for the ATPL230A-AKU-Y, which implements the PRIME PHY layer created specifically for advanced metering infrastructure. With data rates up to 128.6 kbps over CENELEC-A bands and AES-128 payload encryption, the modem provides secure, standards-based communication between meters and data concentrators over the existing mains wiring. The SPI interface lets the metering MCU treat the ATPL230A as an external communications coprocessor, offloading all PRIME v1.3/v1.4 PHY processing to dedicated hardware accelerators. Placed behind a coupling network on the 230V/110V line, the device achieves robust throughput despite impulsive line noise, and the industrial -40C to +85C rating covers outdoor meter cabinets.
Recommended
Street Lighting Control
Street lighting networks use power line communication to switch and dim luminaires without installing dedicated control wiring. The ATPL230A-AKU-Y suits this application because PRIME PHY compliance guarantees interoperability with utility-grade lighting concentrators, while baud rates from 5.4 kbps to 128 kbps allow the system designer to trade speed against link robustness on long, noisy overhead cable runs. Its AES-128 crypto engine prevents unauthorized tampering with public lighting assets, an important security requirement in municipal deployments. Each luminaire driver MCU connects to the ATPL230A via SPI, and the 3V to 3.6V supply integrates easily with offline buck converter auxiliaries. The 80-LQFP 14x14 mm package provides adequate pin count for galvanic coupling front-ends.
Recommended
Home Automation
Home automation systems exploit existing in-building power wiring as a communication backbone, and the ATPL230A-AKU-Y provides the PRIME PHY layer for such networks. Because PRIME is an open standard, devices from multiple vendors can coexist on the same home PLC segment, which simplifies multi-brand smart home deployments. The modem's selectable transmission bands up to 472 kHz let installers avoid interference from other CENELEC occupants, and baud rates up to 128.6 kbps comfortably carry lighting, blind, and sensor control traffic. Its hardware accelerator architecture minimizes host CPU load, letting a low-cost MCU manage both application logic and the SPI-linked modem. The -40C to +85C range suits distribution boxes and outdoor junction installations.
Recommended
Industrial Lighting and Automation
In factories, PRIME power line communication over existing industrial power circuits removes the cost and downtime of pulling new control cabling through conduit. The ATPL230A-AKU-Y's hardware-accelerated PRIME PHY delivers deterministic 5.4 to 128 kbps links across CENELEC-A, FCC, and ARIB bands, supporting multinational equipment platforms with one firmware architecture. Its AES-128 crypto engine protects industrial command traffic, and the industrial temperature rating (-40C to +85C) tolerates harsh panel environments. The SPI host interface allows a factory automation controller to integrate the modem as a peripheral, while the modem's coprocessors handle modulation, demodulation, and channel adaptation autonomously. The 80-LQFP (14x14 mm) footprint simplifies layout near the coupling and isolation circuitry.
Recommended
Solar Energy Systems
Photovoltaic installations use power line communication to link inverters, optimizers, and gateways over DC or AC bus wiring, and Microchip's ATPL230A documentation explicitly lists solar energy as a target application. The modem's independently selectable bands up to 472 kHz avoid interference from switching-frequency harmonics generated by the inverter power stage, and data rates to 128.6 kbps carry panel-level telemetry such as voltage, current, and temperature. The AES-128 crypto engine secures grid-tie command channels, an increasingly common interconnection requirement. With its PRIME v1.3/v1.4 hardware implementation, the ATPL230A relieves the host MCU of all baseband processing via the SPI interface, keeping the solar controller firmware simple and the BOM compact in the 80-LQFP (14x14 mm) package.
Recommended
PHEV Charging Infrastructure
Plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicle charging stations are a documented target application for the ATPL230A, which provides PRIME PLC links between the charging point, the vehicle, and the grid operator over the power conductors. PRIME compliance supports ISO-style metering and load-management backhaul in CENELEC regions, with baud rates up to 128.6 kbps and the CENELEC-A band isolating control traffic from consumer PLC noise. The AES-128 crypto engine authenticates billing-relevant messages, while the industrial -40C to +85C operating range accommodates outdoor charging cabinets. Because the PRIME PHY runs on dedicated hardware accelerators, the station's main MCU only exchanges framed data over SPI, reducing software certification effort. The 80-LQFP (14x14 mm) package integrates cleanly next to the isolation and coupling stages.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATPL230A-AKU-Y — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATPL230A-AKU-R | ATPL250A-AKU-Y | ATPL210A-A1U-Y | ATPL100A-AZU-Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology (Atmel) |
| Package | 80-LQFP (14x14 mm) | 80-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same | 80-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same | 80-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same | 80-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same |
| PLC Standard | PRIME v1.3/v1.4 | PRIME v1.3/v1.4 | PRIME + G3-PLC | PRIME | PRIME (legacy) |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete / EOL | Obsolete / EOL | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Pure PRIME PHY focus with full hardware acceleration (vs ATPL250A-AKU-Y)
- AES-128 crypto engine on chip (vs ATPL100A-AZU-Y)
- Multi-regional band coverage up to 472 kHz (vs ATPL210A-A1U-Y)
Design Notes
Supply the ATPL230A-AKU-Y from a clean 3.3V regulator within its 3V to 3.6V window. PLC transmit bursts draw pulsed current through the line-driver front end, so place bulk capacitance (10 uF or more) close to the modem supply pins plus 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling at each supply terminal. Supply droop during transmit bursts can corrupt PHY modulation, so verify rail ripple under worst-case transmit duty with an oscilloscope before releasing the layout.
The 80-LQFP (14x14 mm) package concentrates modem analog I/O on one side of the footprint; keep the coupling network, isolation components, and analog traces as short as possible and route them away from the SPI host bus to prevent digital coupling into the power line analog path. Use a solid ground plane under the modem and stitch thermal vias near the exposed die region. Reference the Microchip ATPL230A datasheet (doc43053J) reference schematic for the coupling network topology.
The ATPL230A-AKU-Y is obsolete per distributor data, so qualifying it into a new production design carries supply risk; secure last-time-buy stock or plan a migration to the ATPL250A (PRIME + G3) with pinout and firmware verification. Also confirm your target regulatory domain: the CENELEC-A, FCC, and ARIB bands are independently selectable up to 472 kHz, and using the wrong band plan will fail regional compliance even though the PHY operates correctly.
Compliance Information
Mouser lists '80LQFP GRN IND TEMP' where GRN indicates green/RoHS-compliant lead-free packaging. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict minerals declarations were not present in retrieved data.
