ATSAM3N0CA-AU - ARM Cortex-M3 MCU 48MHz 32KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM3N0CA-AU β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.2 | $5.20 |
| 10 | $4.75 | $47.50 |
| 100 | $4.3 | $430.00 |
| 500 | $3.95 | $1,975.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.6 | $3,600.00 |
ATSAM3N0CA-AU Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single integrated circuit that combines a processor core, memory, and programmable peripherals into one chip, forming the lowest tier of the embedded processing hierarchy (MCU -> embedded processor -> application processor -> SoC). The SAM3N family belongs to Microchip's (formerly Atmel) ARM-based flash MCU portfolio, positioned for cost-sensitive, high-volume designs that still require 32-bit performance.
Key features include the ARM Cortex-M3 revision 2.0 core with Thumb-2 instruction set, a Nested Vector Interrupt Controller (NVIC), and a 24-bit SysTick timer. The device integrates 16 channels of 10-bit ADC (440 ksps), one 10-bit DAC, and supply operation from 1.62V to 3.6V. Peripherals such as USART, SPI, TWI (I2C), PWM, and a Real-Time Clock support typical embedded connectivity and control tasks.
Architecturally, the SAM3N series achieves high EMI tolerance and low power consumption, with multiple sleep modes and a VDDBU domain for RTC/backup operation. The flash-based program memory supports In-System Programming (ISP) via UART, and the core integrates a single-cycle multiply for DSP-style arithmetic.
Typical applications include industrial control nodes, building automation, metering front-ends leveraging the 16-channel ADC, consumer appliance control boards, and cost-optimized Human-Machine Interface systems where the migration path to higher-memory SAM3S parts matters.
Design consideration: the SAM3N series is pin-to-pin compatible with SAM7S and SAM3S devices, so designers should plan PCB footprints with memory upgrades in mind and verify ADC channel mapping when migrating.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM3N0CA-AU 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 ATSAM3N0CA-AU (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Core Processor, Program Memory Size, Instruction Set, Series, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM3N1CB-AU
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.18 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM3S2CA-AU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$4.25 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM3S4CA-AU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM3S8CA-AU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM3N0BA-AU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM7S512-AU
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM3N0CA-AU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M3 (revision 2.0) |
| Core Size | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 32KB (32K x 8) |
| Program Memory Type | FLASH |
| RAM Size | 8K x 8 |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
| Data Converters | A/D 16x10b; D/A 1x10b |
| Oscillator Type | Internal |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C |
| Package | 100-LQFP (14 x 14 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Series | SAM3N |
| Instruction Set | Thumb-2 |
| Interrupt Controller | NVIC (Nested Vector Interrupt Controller) |
| SysTick Timer | 24-bit |
| Family Compatibility | Pin-to-pin compatible with SAM7S and SAM3S |
| Green Status | LQFP, Green, IT, MRL A (per Mouser) |
| Connectivity Peripherals | USART, SPI, TWI (I2C) |
ATSAM3N0CA-AU Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PA0 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 2 | PA1 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 3 | PA2 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 4 | PA3 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 5 | PA4 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 6 | PA5 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 7 | PA6 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 8 | PA7 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 9 | PA8 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 10 | PA9 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 11 | PA10 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 12 | PA11 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 13 | VDDIO β I/O power supply (1.62V - 3.6V) |
| Pin 14 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 15 | PA12 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 16 | PA13 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 17 | PA14 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 18 | PA15 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 19 | PA16 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 20 | PA17 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 21 | PA18 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 22 | PA19 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 23 | PA20 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 24 | PA21 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 25 | PA22 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 26 | PA23 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 27 | PA24 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 28 | PA25 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 29 | PA26 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 30 | PA27 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 31 | PA28 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 32 | PA29 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 33 | PA30 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 34 | PA31 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 35 | PB0 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 36 | PB1 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 37 | PB2 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 38 | PB3 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 39 | PB4 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 40 | PB5 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 41 | PB6 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 42 | PB7 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 43 | PB8 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 44 | PB9 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 45 | PB10 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 46 | PB11 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 47 | PB12 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 48 | PB13 β General purpose I/O / peripheral mux A |
| Pin 49 | TDI β JTAG Test Data Input |
| Pin 50 | TDO/TRACESYNC β JTAG Test Data Output |
| Pin 51 | TMS β JTAG Test Mode Select |
| Pin 52 | TCK β JTAG Test Clock |
| Pin 53 | VDDCORE β Core logic power (from internal regulator via VDDOUT) |
| Pin 54 | VDDOUT β Voltage regulator output - decouple to VDDCORE |
| Pin 55 | VDDIN β Voltage regulator input / main supply |
| Pin 56 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 57 | VDDPLL β PLL power supply - decouple with 100 nF |
| Pin 58 | GNDPLL β PLL ground reference |
| Pin 59 | XIN β Main crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 60 | XOUT β Main crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 61 | VDDIO β I/O power supply |
| Pin 62 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 63 | XIN32 β 32.768 kHz crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 64 | XOUT32 β 32.768 kHz crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 65 | VDDBU β Backup domain supply for RTC/backup registers |
| Pin 66 | NRST β Bidirectional reset with internal pull-up |
| Pin 67 | ERASE β Flash erase trigger (assert to clear flash security bit) |
| Pin 68 | TEST β Test mode pin - connect to GND in application |
| Pin 69 | USBDM β USB differential data minus (where supported on SAM3N derivatives) |
| Pin 70 | USBDP β USB differential data plus (where supported on SAM3N derivatives) |
| Pin 71 | AD0 β ADC channel 0 analog input (10-bit) |
| Pin 72 | AD1 β ADC channel 1 analog input |
| Pin 73 | AD2 β ADC channel 2 analog input |
| Pin 74 | AD3 β ADC channel 3 analog input |
| Pin 75 | AD4 β ADC channel 4 analog input |
| Pin 76 | AD5 β ADC channel 5 analog input |
| Pin 77 | AD6 β ADC channel 6 analog input |
| Pin 78 | AD7 β ADC channel 7 analog input |
| Pin 79 | AD8 β ADC channel 8 analog input |
| Pin 80 | AD9 β ADC channel 9 analog input |
| Pin 81 | AD10 β ADC channel 10 analog input |
| Pin 82 | AD11 β ADC channel 11 analog input |
| Pin 83 | AD12 β ADC channel 12 analog input |
| Pin 84 | AD13 β ADC channel 13 analog input |
| Pin 85 | AD14 β ADC channel 14 analog input |
| Pin 86 | AD15/DAC0 β ADC channel 15 / 10-bit DAC output |
| Pin 87 | ADVREF β ADC/DAC voltage reference input |
| Pin 88 | VDDIO β I/O power supply |
| Pin 89 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 90 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 91 | VDDIO β I/O power supply |
| Pin 92 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 93 | PA11/PCK β Multiplexed I/O (peripheral function) |
| Pin 94 | WKUP β Backup domain wake-up input |
| Pin 95 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 96 | VDDIO β I/O power supply |
| Pin 97 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 98 | VDDIO β I/O power supply |
| Pin 99 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 100 | VDDIO β I/O power supply |
Typical Applications
ATSAM3N0CA-AU is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and Automation Nodes, Utility Metering Front-Ends, Building Automation Sensors, Consumer Appliance Control Boards, Point-of-Sale and HMI Interfaces, Data Loggers and Portable Instruments.
Industrial Control and Automation Nodes
The ATSAM3N0CA-AU fits industrial control nodes where a 48 MHz Cortex-M3 core, 16-channel 10-bit ADC, and -40C to +85C operation are required at minimal BOM cost. USART, SPI, and TWI interfaces connect PLC I/O modules, sensors, and RS-485 transceivers, while the NVIC provides deterministic interrupt response for time-critical control loops. Placed as the main controller with a 3.3V rail and UART bootloader for field updates, it offers better integration than 8-bit MCUs and a pin-compatible upgrade path to SAM3S parts when USB or DMA is later needed. Its industrial temperature grade and low EMI design make it reliable in factory environments with switching loads.
Recommended
Utility Metering Front-Ends
Metering designs benefit from the ATSAM3N0CA-AU's 16-channel 10-bit ADC, which multiplexes multiple current and voltage sensor inputs without an external analog front-end. The 10-bit DAC supports calibration signal generation, and the VDDBU domain maintains an RTC for timestamping consumption events during power outages. Running the 48 MHz Cortex-M3 core allows fixed-point RMS computation and tariff logic in a single chip supplied from 1.62V to 3.6V. The cost-optimized positioning of the SAM3N series - explicitly targeted at cost-sensitive, high-volume applications per Microchip - aligns directly with high-volume meter production, while the LQFP100 footprint preserves migration to higher-memory SAM3S variants if the feature set expands.
Recommended
Building Automation Sensors
Battery-powered or low-power building automation nodes use the ATSAM3N0CA-AU's multiple sleep modes and backup domain to sleep between sensor reads while keeping the RTC running. The 16-channel ADC digitizes temperature, humidity, and occupancy sensors, and the TWI interface drives I2C environmental sensors and small OLED displays. With 32KB flash, the complete sensor, protocol stack, and power-management code fits comfortably, and firmware runs from flash with zero-wait access typical of the Cortex-M3 at 48 MHz. The LQFP100 package exposes 46 GPIOs, letting one MCU handle several sensing zones, reducing per-node BOM cost in dense deployments of thermostats, dampers, and occupancy controllers.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control Boards
Washing machines, cooktops, and small appliances demand an MCU with robust ADC reading of encoder knobs and NTC sensors, PWM outputs for motor and heater drive, and industrial-grade reliability at consumer price points - all characteristics of the ATSAM3N0CA-AU. The 48 MHz Cortex-M3 handles PID control loops and touch-debounce logic, while the 10-bit DAC can generate audible alerts. Microchip's complete software library and tool ecosystem shortens development cycle time, and the SAM3N's aggressive price point pushes its scope into cost-sensitive, high-volume consumer boards. The 100-pin package provides enough GPIO for relays, LEDs, and a multiplexed display without port expanders.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale and HMI Interfaces
Human-Machine Interface boards in POS terminals and industrial panels use the ATSAM3N0CA-AU to scan keypads or resistive touch overlays via its ADC, drive segment or small TFT displays over parallel/SPI buses, and communicate with the host over USART. The Cortex-M3 core with Thumb-2 instructions provides the processing headroom for GUI update tasks at 48 MHz, and 8KB SRAM accommodates a small framebuffer region for segment-LCD style UIs. The pin-to-pin compatibility with SAM7S and SAM3S lets product families share one PCB across cost tiers, migrating to USB-equipped SAM3S parts where receipt printing or host connectivity demands it. Supply from 1.8V to 3.6V simplifies battery and mains adapter designs alike.
Recommended
Data Loggers and Portable Instruments
Portable data loggers exploit the ATSAM3N0CA-AU's low-power sleep modes, internal oscillator option, and 16-channel ADC to sample many analog inputs against a single-supply 1.62V to 3.6V domain, logging to SPI flash or SD-card media over the SPI peripheral. The 24-bit SysTick timer and RTC domain support accurate timestamping, while the 10-bit DAC provides stimulus for sensor self-test in instrument applications. The LQFP100 14 x 14 mm footprint is hand-assembly-friendly for prototyping yet compact enough for handheld enclosures, and the industrial -40C to +85C rating covers outdoor and vehicle-mounted logger deployments. UART ISP via the ROM bootloader enables firmware updates in the field without a JTAG connector.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM3N0CA-AU β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM3N1CB-AU | ATSAM3S2CA-AU | ATSAM3S4CA-AU | ATSAM3S8CA-AU | ATSAM7S512-AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-LQFP (14 x 14 mm) | 100-LQFP (14 x 14 mm) - same | 100-LQFP (14 x 14 mm) - same | 100-LQFP (14 x 14 mm) - same | 100-LQFP (14 x 14 mm) - same | 100-LQFP (14 x 14 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core | ARM Cortex-M3 @ 48 MHz | ARM Cortex-M3 @ 48 MHz | ARM Cortex-M3 @ up to 64 MHz | ARM Cortex-M3 @ up to 64 MHz | ARM Cortex-M3 @ up to 64 MHz | ARM7TDMI @ 55 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 32KB | 64KB | 64KB | 128KB | 256KB | 256KB |
| Supply Voltage | 1.62 V to 3.6 V | 1.62 V to 3.6 V | 1.62 V to 3.6 V | 1.62 V to 3.6 V | 1.62 V to 3.6 V | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
| USB | No | No | Yes (high-speed USB Device with integrated transceiver) | Yes (high-speed USB Device) | Yes (high-speed USB Device) | Yes (USB 2.0 Full Speed) |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest-cost Cortex-M3 entry in the 100-pin family (vs ATSAM3S2CA-AU)
- Double-flash drop-in upgrade available (vs ATSAM3N1CB-AU)
- Modern Cortex-M3 core vs legacy ARM7 (vs ATSAM7S512-AU)
Design Notes
The ATSAM3N0CA-AU uses an on-chip voltage regulator: apply the 1.62V-3.6V supply at VDDIN and decouple VDDOUT with the capacitor value specified in the SAM3N datasheet power section, tying VDDOUT to VDDCORE. Decouple each VDDIO pair with 100 nF close to the pins plus one bulk 10 uF per supply domain. The VDDPLL pin needs a dedicated 100 nF capacitor placed within 2 mm of the pin - shared PLL decoupling is a common source of clock jitter in ADC-sampled designs. Keep VDDBU fed from a coin cell or always-on rail if RTC timestamping must survive main power loss.
For analog performance, route the 16 ADC channels (AD0-AD15) over a quiet ground region away from the USART/SPI switching traces, and use the ADVREF pin with a clean reference (RC filtered from the 3.3V rail or a dedicated reference IC). The ERASE and TEST pins must be handled deliberately: tie TEST to ground and pull ERASE low in production designs, since accidental assertion of ERASE clears flash content including the security bit. Reserve a 2x5 JTAG header footprint even if ISP-only is planned - it costs nothing at layout time and saves debugging later.
Do not exceed 48 MHz system clock on SAM3N devices - the family tops out at 48 MHz, unlike the 64 MHz SAM3S siblings, so do not port a SAM3S clock configuration unchanged. Flash is 32KB; enable compiler optimization (-Os) and check the map file before committing to peripherals-heavy stacks, or plan the ATSAM3N1CB-AU (64KB) as the same-footprint fallback. Migration between SAM3N, SAM3S, and SAM7S is pin-to-pin compatible per Microchip, but peripheral register maps differ, so budget firmware rework even when the PCB is unchanged.
Compliance Information
Mouser listing describes the part as 'LQFP, Grn, IT, MRL A' - 'Grn' is Microchip's green (lead-free, halogen-free) package designation. Obtain the formal RoHS/REACH declaration from the Microchip compliance portal for specific date codes.