ATSAM3N1AB-AU - 48MHz Cortex-M3 64KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM3N1AB-AU β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.54 | $5.54 |
| 10 | $5.15 | $51.50 |
| 100 | $4.72 | $472.00 |
| 500 | $4.35 | $2,175.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.98 | $3,980.00 |
ATSAM3N1AB-AU Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) integrates a processor core, program memory, RAM, and peripherals on a single chip, forming the lowest level of the embedded-system hierarchy: microcontroller unit (MCU) -> embedded processor -> semiconductor IC. The SAM3N1A belongs to the SAM3N series, built on the ARM Cortex-M3 RISC architecture with the Thumb-2 instruction set and a nested vector interrupt controller (NVIC).
Key features include the ARM Cortex-M3 revision 2.0 core at 48 MHz, a 24-bit SysTick timer, flash memory of 64KB (64K x 8), operation from a 1.62V to 3.6V supply (1.8V/2.5V/3.3V rails), and capacitive-touch support via the Microchip QTouch library. The device is aggressive on price, targeting cost-sensitive high-volume designs.
Technically, the SAM3N1A is pin-to-pin compatible with the SAM7S legacy products (48- and 64-pin versions) and the SAM3S series (48-, 64- and 100-pin versions), allowing board upgrades between Cortex-M3 and earlier ARM7 platforms with minimal redesign. Peripherals typically include UART/USART serial ports, SPI, TWI (I2C), timers, ADC channels, and direct capacitive-touch sensing, providing a complete low-power embedded control solution.
Typical applications include industrial control nodes, consumer appliances, capacitive-touch human interface panels (buttons, wheels, sliders), and cost-sensitive high-volume embedded systems where a 32-bit core replaces 8-bit MCUs.
When designing with this device, plan power sequencing for the 1.62V-3.6V supply range and verify legacy SAM7S/SAM3S pin mapping when migrating existing footprints.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers a complete sourcing and selection resource.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM3N1AB-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 ATSAM3N1AB-AU (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Core Processor, Pin Compatibility, Interrupt Controller, Flash Memory, Maximum Clock Speed.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
No drop-in alternatives available for this product.
Request AlternativesATSAM3N1AB-AU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M3 (revision 2.0) |
| Core Size | 32-Bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Instruction Set | Thumb-2 |
| Flash Memory | 64KB (64K x 8) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
| Nominal Supply Rails | 1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V |
| SysTick Timer | 24-bit |
| Interrupt Controller | Nested Vector Interrupt Controller (NVIC) |
| Touch Sensing | QTouch capacitive touch library support |
| Pin Compatibility | SAM7S (48/64-pin), SAM3S (48/64/100-pin) |
| Package | 48-LQFP (7x7 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Package Color / Environmental | Green package (Grn), MSL rating per Mouser listing |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (green package per Mouser listing) |
ATSAM3N1AB-AU green package (grn), msl rating per mouser listing Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM3N1AB-AU (green package (grn), msl rating per mouser listing 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 ATSAM3N1AB-AU.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM3N1AB-AU is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Nodes, Capacitive Touch HMI Panels, Consumer Appliances, Legacy SAM7S / SAM3S Board Migration, Battery-Powered Portable Devices, Building Automation and Lighting Control.
Industrial Control Nodes
The ATSAM3N1AB-AU fits industrial control nodes where a 32-bit core with 48 MHz performance and 64KB flash handles Modbus-style UART communication, sensor polling and actuator control in a single chip. Its 1.62V-3.6V supply range accepts standard 3.3V industrial rails, and the Cortex-M3 NVIC delivers deterministic interrupt response for time-critical I/O. Placed on the control PCB with a 3.3V LDO and watchdog supervisor, it replaces 8-bit MCUs while retaining the cost profile needed for high-volume factory equipment, and the 48-pin LQFP keeps layout compact in DIN-rail housings.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch HMI Panels
The ATSAM3N1AB-AU is ready for capacitive touch via the Microchip QTouch library, enabling buttons, wheels and sliders directly on MCU pins without a dedicated touch controller, per the manufacturer product page. At 48 MHz with 64KB flash, it simultaneously runs touch acquisition, debouncing and the application state machine. This suits appliance control panels, lighting switches and white-goods interfaces where mechanical keys are replaced by sealed glass panels. The 48-pin LQFP provides enough GPIO to drive segment displays or indicators alongside a multi-key touch matrix, cutting total system BOM cost.
Recommended
Consumer Appliances
In consumer appliances such as coffee machines, air conditioners and small kitchen devices, the ATSAM3N1AB-AU offers aggressive pricing - the SAM3N datasheet notes its price point pushes its scope into cost-sensitive, high-volume applications - combined with 32-bit headroom for display multiplexing, encoder handling and communication. Its green, RoHS-compliant LQFP package meets consumer environmental regulations, and 64KB flash accommodates localization strings and UI logic. The 1.62V-3.6V operating range simplifies power design from a single 3.3V rail derived from the appliance's mains supply, reducing external component count in cost-optimized boards.
Recommended
Legacy SAM7S / SAM3S Board Migration
The SAM3N series is pin-to-pin compatible with SAM7S legacy products (48- and 64-pin) and the SAM3S series (48-, 64- and 100-pin), according to the SAM3N datasheet, making the ATSAM3N1AB-AU a direct drop-in for aging ARM7-based boards facing obsolescence. Existing footprints, routing and connectors are preserved while firmware gains the Thumb-2 Cortex-M3 toolchain, better code density and lower power. Engineers should verify peripheral register differences and supply sequencing during migration, but no PCB respin is required - a major schedule advantage for long-life industrial and medical product lines needing EOL mitigation.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Portable Devices
The ATSAM3N1AB-AU's 1.62V-3.6V supply range supports direct operation from lithium cells through a small LDO, and its low-power SAM3N architecture suits portable meters, remote controls and handheld instruments. The 24-bit SysTick counter supports tickless low-power scheduling, while 64KB flash holds protocol and display firmware without external memory. In a typical design the MCU sleeps between 32 kHz-timed wakeups on XIN32/XOUT32, extending battery life relative to always-on 8-bit solutions. The 7x7 mm LQFP footprint fits compact handheld PCBs while remaining hand-solderable for prototyping and low-volume production runs.
Recommended
Building Automation and Lighting Control
For building automation end nodes - occupancy-driven lighting, HVAC zone controllers and DALI-type lighting interfaces - the ATSAM3N1AB-AU provides 48 MHz Cortex-M3 processing for protocol handling plus QTouch capacitive inputs for wall-panel keys, consolidating two chips into one. UART/USART, SPI and TWI peripherals link to transceivers and sensors, and 64KB flash stores scheduling and persistence logic. The green LQFP-48 package satisfies green-building procurement requirements, and pin compatibility with SAM3S parts gives a clear upgrade path to more flash or peripherals without PCB changes as feature sets grow over the product lifecycle.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM3N1AB-AU β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM3N1AA-AU | ATSAM3N1BA-AU | ATSAM3S1AA-AU | ATSAM3S4AA-AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 48-LQFP (7x7 mm) | 48-LQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 48-LQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 48-LQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 48-LQFP (7x7 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / Max Frequency | 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 | 64KB | 32KB | 64KB | 64KB | 128KB |
| 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 |
| Pin Compatibility | SAM7S (48/64-pin), SAM3S (48/64/100-pin) | Same family - pin-to-pin | Same family - pin-to-pin | SAM3N-compatible per datasheet | SAM3N-compatible per datasheet |
Key Differentiators
- Aggressive price positioning within the SAM3N line (vs ATSAM3S1AA-AU)
- Flash scalability without PCB changes (vs ATSAM3N1AA-AU)
- Legacy ARM7 migration path (vs Legacy SAM7S parts)
Design Notes
Design the supply for 1.62V-3.6V operation; the 3.3V nominal rail is most common. Decouple each VDDIO pin with 100 nF ceramic capacitors placed within 2 mm of the pins, plus bulk capacitance near the regulator. If migrating from a 5V-tolerant legacy SAM7S design, audit every external signal - I/O on this Cortex-M3 part is not 5V tolerant above 3.6V. Estimated: a 3.3V rail with 20 mA MCU load requires only modest regulator sizing, but add margin for LED and communication drivers.
The 48-LQFP 7x7 mm footprint uses 0.5 mm pitch; specify solder mask defined or non-solder-mask defined pads per IPC recommendations and verify paste aperture to avoid bridging on adjacent pins. Use the oscillator layout guidelines in the SAM3N datasheet: keep XIN/XOUT traces short with guard ground, and place the 32 kHz crystal (XIN32/XOUT32) close to the pins for accurate low-power timing. Provide a solid ground plane under the device for return paths and EMI control.
Verify flash and SRAM sizing against final firmware before committing: the ATSAM3N1AA-AU (32KB) is often mistakenly substituted for this 64KB part and will fail at link time on larger builds. When using QTouch, follow the Microchip QTouch library PCB guidelines for sensor electrode geometry and series resistors. Also confirm that your selected part is the -AU LQFP variant, not the -MU QFN variant, since the two share silicon but require different footprints and reflow profiles.
Compliance Information
Green (Grn) package per Mouser listing indicates RoHS-compliant lead-free construction. REACH, halogen-free and conflict-minerals declarations not found in provided data - obtain formal certificates from Microchip.