ATSAM3N00AA-MU - 48MHz Cortex-M3 MCU 16KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM3N00AA-MU ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.29 | $1.29 |
| 10 | $1.19 | $11.90 |
| 100 | $1.09 | $109.00 |
| 500 | $1.02 | $510.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.95 | $950.00 |
ATSAM3N00AA-MU Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single integrated circuit that combines a processor core, program memory, data memory, and peripherals into one chip, forming the heart of embedded systems. The ATSAM3N00AA belongs to the entry-level tier of the SAM3N family, which sits within the broader ARM Cortex-M 32-bit microcontroller hierarchy, above 8-bit MCUs in throughput while remaining cost-optimized for high-volume designs.
Key features include the high-performance ARM Cortex-M3 RISC processor with Harvard architecture and 3-stage pipeline, 16 KB (16K x 8) of single-cycle flash program memory, and 4 KB of SRAM. The device integrates a rich peripheral set for its class, including USART and UART serial ports, SPI, TWI (I2C), multiple timers, and an ADC, enabling compact single-chip designs for serial bridging, sensing, and control tasks.
The SAM3N series is documented by Atmel (now Microchip) as pin-to-pin compatible with the SAM3S series, and family members scale in memory while sharing the same footprint. This allows a single PCB design to be populated with different SAM3N/SAM3S flash densities as memory requirements evolve - a significant advantage in cost-sensitive, high-volume applications where firmware growth must not force a board respin.
Typical applications include industrial sensor nodes, consumer appliance control, motor-adjacent auxiliary control, low-cost data loggers, and general-purpose embedded control where a 48 MHz 32-bit core outclasses 8-bit alternatives at a similar price point. The industrial temperature grade supports harsh environments from -40C to +85C.
Design consideration: with only 16 KB flash and 4 KB SRAM, budget code size carefully; use compiler size optimization and consider ATSAM3N1AA-MU or higher as a pin-compatible upgrade path.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers a decision-ready view of the SAM3N00A ecosystem.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM3N00AA-MU — 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 ATSAM3N00AA-MU (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Pin Compatibility, SRAM, Core Processor, Package, Flash Memory.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM3N1AA-MU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$3.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM3N2AA-MU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$7.35 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM3N4AA-MU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$4.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM3N0AA-MU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM3S2AA-MU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM3N00AA-MU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M3 |
| Core Size | 32-Bit |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 48 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB (16K x 8) |
| SRAM | 4 KB |
| Package | 48-QFN (7x7 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Communication Interfaces | USART, UART, SPI, TWI (I2C) |
| Programmability | In-System Programmable Flash |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (Green package) |
| Family Series | SAM3N (SAM3N00A) |
ATSAM3N00AA-MU 48-qfn (7x7 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM3N00AA-MU (48-qfn (7x7 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 ATSAM3N00AA-MU.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM3N00AA-MU is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Nodes, Consumer Appliance Control, Low-Cost Data Loggers, Motor-Adjacent Auxiliary Control, Serial Protocol Bridges, Building Automation Peripherals.
Industrial Sensor Nodes
The ATSAM3N00AA-MU fits industrial sensor nodes where a 48 MHz Cortex-M3 core handles signal acquisition, filtering, and serial reporting that would overload 8-bit MCUs. Its SPI and TWI interfaces connect directly to ADCs, MEMS sensors, and EEPROMs, while the USART links to RS-485 transceivers or modems. With 16 KB flash, bare-metal firmware for sampling and packet framing fits comfortably. The -40C to +85C industrial grade and low-power modes suit always-on, battery-assisted deployments in factory monitoring, where the 32-bit core also provides headroom for lightweight protocol stacks and local decision logic without a design migration.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
The ATSAM3N00AA-MU suits appliance control boards - washing machines, small HVAC units, coffee makers - where cost pressure is high but a 32-bit core simplifies motor timing loops and user-interface handling. The 48 MHz Cortex-M3 executes PID control and button/debounce logic with large timing margins, and the RoHS-compliant green QFN package meets consumer environmental requirements. At roughly $1.29 per unit as of 2026-09-19, it competes directly with mid-range 8-bit parts while offering family upgradeability: if firmware grows past 16 KB flash, the pin-compatible ATSAM3N1AA-MU drops onto the same PCB without respin, protecting the tooling investment.
Recommended
Low-Cost Data Loggers
For data loggers recording sensor values to flash or SD cards, the ATSAM3N00AA-MU provides the required serial interfaces and low-power modes in a small 7x7 mm QFN. The SPI port drives SD cards and flash memory, the 12-bit ADC class peripheral samples analog channels, and the USART streams data to telemetry radios. Sleep and wait modes extend battery life between sample intervals, and the 4 KB SRAM buffers records during write bursts. Designs that later need larger buffers or file systems migrate to ATSAM3N2AA-MU (128 KB flash, 24 KB SRAM) on the identical 48-QFN footprint, preserving board layout and test fixtures.
Recommended
Motor-Adjacent Auxiliary Control
The ATSAM3N00AA-MU serves as auxiliary control for motor-driven equipment - fans, pumps, and small actuators - handling tachometer capture, PWM gating to external drivers, and safety supervision. Its timers generate PWM outputs while the ADC monitors current-sense voltages for stall or overload detection, and the Cortex-M3 core executes supervision logic deterministically. Because it does not integrate a high-current motor driver itself, pair it with a gate driver or driver IC on the power stage. Industrial temperature rating supports enclosed motor housings, and the low unit cost allows per-channel deployment of dedicated supervisory MCUs across multi-motor systems.
Recommended
Serial Protocol Bridges
With USART, SPI, and TWI on a 48 MHz core, the ATSAM3N00AA-MU is a natural protocol bridge - translating between RS-232/RS-485 field devices and SPI peripherals, or buffering USB-adjacent serial links. The 16 KB flash accommodates bidirectional FIFO handling and simple framing protocols, while 4 KB SRAM provides packet buffering. Industrial-grade qualification supports cabinet-mounted converters in factory settings. Where USB is required on-board, the pin-to-pin compatible SAM3S family (e.g., ATSAM3S2AA-MU) offers a USB device peripheral on the same footprint, letting one PCB design serve both USB and non-USB product variants with minimal engineering duplication.
Recommended
Building Automation Peripherals
In building automation - thermostats, damper controllers, occupancy sensor interfaces - the ATSAM3N00AA-MU delivers the processing for control loops and TWI-based sensor aggregation at a price point that scales across thousands of nodes. Its 32-bit core handles time-keeping logic, TWI polling of temperature and humidity sensors, and USART communication with RS-485 building buses. Low standby consumption suits battery-backed nodes, and the industrial temperature range covers unconditioned mechanical rooms. The pin-compatible family ladder (ATSAM3N00AA through ATSAM3N4AA) lets manufacturers offer feature-tiered SKUs from a single PCB, reducing inventory complexity and qualification effort across the product line.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM3N00AA-MU — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM3N1AA-MU | ATSAM3N2AA-MU | ATSAM3N4AA-MU | ATSAM3S2AA-MU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 48-QFN (7x7 mm) | 48-QFN (7x7 mm) - same | 48-QFN (7x7 mm) - same | 48-QFN (7x7 mm) - same | 48-QFN (7x7 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / Clock | ARM Cortex-M3, 48 MHz | ARM Cortex-M3, 48 MHz | ARM Cortex-M3, 48 MHz | ARM Cortex-M3, 48 MHz | ARM Cortex-M3, 48 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 32 KB | 128 KB | 256 KB | 64 KB |
| SRAM | 4 KB | 6 KB | 24 KB | 48 KB | 16 KB |
| USB Peripheral | No | No | No | No | Yes (USB device) |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest cost entry to pin-compatible SAM3N ladder (vs ATSAM3N4AA-MU)
- Cortex-M3 performance at 8-bit price point (vs ATSAM3S2AA-MU)
- Trade-off: minimal memory density (vs ATSAM3N2AA-MU)
Design Notes
The 16 KB flash / 4 KB SRAM budget is the single most common design risk with the ATSAM3N00AA-MU. Compile with size optimization (-Os), avoid heavyweight libraries, and reserve headroom for a bootloader and firmware-field-update mechanism. If linked size approaches 14 KB, plan the migration path to ATSAM3N1AA-MU or higher - Microchip documents the SAM3N family as pin-to-pin compatible, so this is a solder-down swap, not a respin.
The 48-QFN 7x7 mm package has a center exposed ground pad that must be soldered to a grounded copper pour with multiple thermal vias for reliable grounding and heat dissipation. Place 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitors at each supply pin pair within 2 mm of the package, plus a bulk 4.7 uF-10 uF capacitor near the supply entry. Verify stencil aperture design for the exposed pad to prevent voiding during reflow.
The SAM3N family operates from a 3.3V-class supply rail; confirm the exact VDDCore/VDDIO range and sequencing requirements in the current SAM3N datasheet before finalizing the power tree. For battery or noisy industrial supplies, add an LDO with low quiescent current (e.g., MCP1700 class) and use the MCU wait/sleep modes with the RTC or a general-purpose timer as wakeup source to minimize average current in duty-cycled logger or sensor-node applications.
Route SWD (SWCLK/SWDIO) programming pins to a standard 2x5 Cortex debug header or tagged test points - the QFN package offers no post-assembly access to traces underneath, and in-system programming via the flash bootloader requires access to the debug or serial port. Keep USART boot pins (per SAM3N ROM bootloader mapping) pulled to defined states at reset so the device boots into application flash rather than the ROM monitor.
Compliance Information
Mouser lists the package as QFN, GREEN, IND TEMP, MRL A - the GREEN designation indicates RoHS-compliant, halogen-free packaging. AEC-Q100 qualification is not claimed for the SAM3N series.
