ATSAM3N2CA-AU - 48MHz ARM Cortex-M3 MCU 128KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM3N2CA-AU β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.6 | $7.60 |
| 10 | $7.1 | $71.00 |
| 100 | $6.55 | $655.00 |
| 500 | $6.05 | $3,025.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.6 | $5,600.00 |
ATSAM3N2CA-AU Overview
A microcontroller unit (MCU) is a single integrated circuit that combines a processor core, memory, and programmable peripherals into one chip, forming the lowest layer of the embedded-system hierarchy: semiconductor -> integrated circuit -> microcontroller -> embedded system. The ATSAM3N2CA-AU belongs to the Atmel/Microchip SAM3N series, a family of cost-optimized ARM Cortex-M3 MCUs, and is pin-to-pin compatible across memory-density variants within the family.
Key features include the ARM Cortex-M3 revision 2.0 core with Thumb-2 instruction set, a 24-bit SysTick timer, and a Nested Vector Interrupt Controller (NVIC) for deterministic interrupt handling. The device operates from 1.8V, 2.5V, or 3.3V supplies and uses an internal oscillator, reducing external bill-of-materials cost. The 100-pin LQFP exposes 79 I/O lines, offering strong pin-count headroom for display, keypad, and communication interfaces in high-volume designs.
From a technical standpoint, the SAM3N series was engineered to converge ARM Cortex-M3 performance with an aggressive price point, pushing its scope of use far into cost-sensitive, high-volume applications. The SAM3N0/1/2/4 family members differ only in Flash/SRAM density and feature list, so firmware written for one density variant ports directly to another, and the pin-to-pin compatibility lets PCB designers scale memory without re-spinning the board.
Typical applications include consumer appliance control panels, industrial sensor nodes, building automation, and POS/printer peripherals - anywhere a 48 MHz, 32-bit core with 128 KB Flash and abundant I/O is required at a competitive cost. Its internal oscillator and low-power operating points suit battery-backed and always-on designs.
Design consideration: verify supply-voltage selection early - the 1.8V/2.5V/3.3V operating range must match the rest of the system, and the internal oscillator, while cost-saving, should be validated against the required timing accuracy for UART or CAN interfaces.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, pin-compatible alternatives, and practical design guidance not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers a single citable reference for the ATSAM3N2CA-AU.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM3N2CA-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 ATSAM3N2CA-AU (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Core Processor, Maximum Clock Speed, Packaging, RAM Size, Supply Voltage.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM3N4CA-AU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM3N1CA-AU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM3N0CA-AU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$3.6 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM3U4CA-AU
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4S2CA-AU
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$3.14 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM3N2CA-AU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M3 revision 2.0 |
| Core Size | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 48 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 128 KB (128K x 8) |
| Program Memory Type | Flash |
| RAM Size | 16K x 8 |
| Number of I/O | 79 |
| Supply Voltage | 1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V |
| Oscillator Type | Internal |
| Instruction Set | Thumb-2 |
| Timer | 24-bit SysTick counter |
| Interrupt Controller | Nested Vector Interrupt Controller (NVIC) |
| Package / Case | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tube |
| Series | SAM3N |
ATSAM3N2CA-AU 100-lqfp (14x14 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM3N2CA-AU (100-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 ATSAM3N2CA-AU.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM3N2CA-AU is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Nodes, Building Automation Control Panels, Appliance Control Boards, POS Terminals and Printer Peripherals, Battery-Powered Metering and Data Loggers, Consumer Electronics HMI Controllers.
Industrial Sensor Nodes
The ATSAM3N2CA-AU fits industrial sensor acquisition nodes because its 48 MHz Cortex-M3 core processes filtering and protocol conversion locally, while 79 GPIO lines and multiple serial peripherals interface ADCs, relays, and field buses. In a typical node, the MCU samples sensors over I2C or SPI, applies digital filtering, and reports over UART or RS-485; the 128 KB Flash stores calibration tables and firmware, and the 16 KB SRAM buffers sample data. The internal oscillator removes one BOM component, though adding an external crystal is recommended when UART timing accuracy matters. Its cost-optimized positioning suits deployment in hundreds or thousands of nodes.
Recommended
Building Automation Control Panels
Building automation panels need display drive, keypad scanning, and network communication - three workloads the ATSAM3N2CA-AU handles with its 79 I/O lines and 48 MHz core. A typical design drives a segment or character LCD via parallel GPIO, scans a matrix keypad with interrupt-driven timing (the NVIC enables low-latency key detection), and links to the building network over UART. The 128 KB Flash accommodates menu structures, multi-language strings, and an OTA-capable bootloader. Operating from 3.3V keeps power rail design simple alongside optocouplers and RS-485 transceivers common in automation installations.
Recommended
Appliance Control Boards
Cost-sensitive, high-volume appliance boards are the core target market of the SAM3N family: Atmel positioned the series to push 'its scope of use far into cost-sensitive, high-volume applications.' The ATSAM3N2CA-AU drives user interfaces (buttons, LEDs, displays), sequences relays and motors, and runs safety-interlock logic with deterministic interrupt response from the Cortex-M3 NVIC. The 128 KB Flash supports feature-rich firmware with fault logging, and the 1.8V/2.5V/3.3V supply options simplify integration with low-voltage sense circuits. Pin-to-pin family compatibility lets manufacturers build one PCB and populate different memory densities per product tier.
Recommended
POS Terminals and Printer Peripherals
Point-of-sale terminals and receipt printers combine human-interface I/O, serial communication, and moderate computation - a profile matched by the ATSAM3N2CA-AU's 48 MHz Cortex-M3 core, 128 KB Flash, and 79 GPIO. The MCU can buffer print data in its 16 KB SRAM, drive stepper or thermal-print control signals with timer peripherals, and manage USB or UART links to the host terminal. The internal oscillator supports fast, low-cost boot, while firmware stored in Flash enables field updates for new payment formats. Its long-standing SAM3N ecosystem and pin-compatible family reduce qualification effort across terminal product generations.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Metering and Data Loggers
Utility meters and battery-powered data loggers benefit from the ATSAM3N2CA-AU's internal oscillator (reducing quiescent cost), 3.3V or lower supply operation, and SRAM-based data buffering with periodic Flash logging. A typical logger wakes on an RTC interrupt via the NVIC, reads an ADC or pulse input, applies averaging in the 16 KB SRAM, and writes records to Flash or external EEPROM over I2C. The 48 MHz core completes burst processing quickly, letting the system return to sleep states to conserve battery. Designers should verify the datasheet low-power mode currents for their target supply voltage before finalizing battery sizing.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics HMI Controllers
Consumer human-machine-interface modules - remote controls, small appliances, toy electronics - exploit the ATSAM3N2CA-AU's balance of 32-bit processing and cost. The 79 I/O lines drive LED arrays, keypads, and small displays directly; the 128 KB Flash stores audio prompts, animation tables, or protocol stacks; and the Thumb-2 instruction set keeps compiled code compact, maximizing effective memory. The 100-pin LQFP is a mature, low-cost assembly package suited to consumer volume manufacturing. Because the whole SAM3N family is pin-to-pin compatible, HMI platforms can offer feature tiers (more Flash for premium models) without redesigning the PCB.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM3N2CA-AU β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM3N4CA-AU | ATSAM3N1CA-AU | ATSAM4S2CA-AU | ATSAM3U4CA-AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same | 100-LQFP - same outline, verify pin map | 100-LQFP - same outline, verify pin map |
| Brand | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) |
| Core / Max Speed | ARM Cortex-M3 @ 48 MHz | Cortex-M3 @ 48 MHz | Cortex-M3 @ 48 MHz | Cortex-M4 @ 120 MHz | Cortex-M3 @ higher speed |
| Pin-to-Pin Drop-In Compatibility | Reference part | Yes - same SAM3N family | Yes - same SAM3N family | No - verify before substitution | No - verify before substitution |
Key Differentiators
- Double the Flash of the entry variant at the same footprint (vs ATSAM3N1CA-AU)
- Cost-optimized 32-bit choice within SAM3N family (vs ATSAM3N4CA-AU)
- Simple 48 MHz single-clock-domain design versus higher-speed parts (vs ATSAM4S2CA-AU)
Design Notes
The ATSAM3N2CA-AU operates from 1.8V, 2.5V, or 3.3V supplies. Select one rail for the whole board where possible; mixed-voltage designs require level shifters on I/O. Provide decoupling capacitors (typically 100 nF ceramic per supply pin plus one bulk capacitor) close to each VDD/VDDIO pin pair, and tie VDDCORE/VDDPLL domains per the datasheet's power distribution section. Verify the datasheet's electrical characteristics for your chosen voltage, because maximum achievable frequency and analog peripheral accuracy can vary with supply.
The device includes an internal oscillator, which saves a crystal and two capacitors in cost-driven designs. However, RC oscillators carry percentage-level frequency tolerance. For UART links above 115200 baud, CAN, or any protocol with tight bit-timing budgets, switch the clock controller to an external crystal after boot and validate baud-rate error against the peripheral's tolerance requirement. Keep crystal load capacitors and layout short and symmetric per standard MCU crystal layout practice.
The SAM3N family is pin-to-pin compatible across densities only within the same package/pin-count variant - a 100-pin design can migrate between ATSAM3N0/1/2/4 CA parts, but the 64-pin BA and 48-pin AA variants have different pin assignments. Do not assume cross-family (SAM3U, SAM4S) pin compatibility even when the package outline matches. Also confirm program/erase voltage ranges before enabling in-field firmware updates at the low end of the supply range.
Compliance Information
Compliance data was not present in the provided verified web data; the -AU suffix historically denotes lead-free/RoHS packaging for Atmel parts, but this must be confirmed against the official Microchip product page before being relied upon.