ATSAM3S2AA-AUR - 64MHz Cortex-M3 MCU 128KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM3S2AA-AUR β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.12 | $4.12 |
| 10 | $3.71 | $37.10 |
| 100 | $3.3 | $330.00 |
| 500 | $2.96 | $1,480.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.66 | $2,660.00 |
ATSAM3S2AA-AUR Overview
A microcontroller unit (MCU) is a single integrated circuit that combines a processor core, memory, and programmable peripherals into one chip, sitting at the heart of embedded systems. Within the hierarchy of semiconductors, this device belongs to the flash microcontroller family, derived from the broader ARM Cortex-M processor architecture and Microchip's (formerly Atmel) SAM product line of 32-bit MCUs.
Key features of the ATSAM3S2AA-AUR include the Thumb-2 instruction set for high code density, a rich peripheral set with multiple UARTs, SPI, I2C (TWI), I2S, and USB 2.0 Full-Speed connectivity, and DMA controllers that offload data movement from the CPU. The parallel data capture mode on the PIOs allows data collection from devices not compliant with standard memory read protocols, such as low-cost image sensors, with DMA transferring data to memory automatically.
The device operates from a single 1.62V to 3.6V supply and is built on CMOS technology, balancing performance with power efficiency. According to Microchip, the SAM3S2A is pin-to-pin compatible with the SAM3N2A, giving designers a straightforward migration path between the SAM3N and SAM3S series when USB or additional analog peripherals are required.
Typical applications include industrial control and automation nodes, consumer appliances with USB interfaces, battery-powered metering devices, and PC peripherals such as mice and keyboards where USB Full-Speed and low power are key requirements. The 64 MHz Cortex-M3 core provides ample headroom for control loops and communication stacks.
When designing with this MCU, use the industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) margin carefully in sealed enclosures, and allocate the 128 KB flash budget with bootloader and firmware update overhead in mind. The Tape & Reel packaging (suffix AUR) supports automated pick-and-place assembly.
This page synthesizes distributor inventory data, drop-in alternative cross-references, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM3S2AA-AUR 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 ATSAM3S2AA-AUR (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Flash Memory, SRAM, Core Processor, Core Size, Packaging.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM3S4AA-AUR
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$5.42 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM3S4AA-AU
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM3S2AA-AU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM3N2AA-AUR
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM3S2AA-AUR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M3 |
| Core Size | 32-Bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 64 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 128 KB (131 KB per some distributor listings) |
| SRAM | 32 KB |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
| Technology | CMOS |
| Connectivity | UART, SPI, I2C (TWI), I2S, USB 2.0 Full-Speed |
| Package | 48-LQFP (7x7 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Instruction Set | RISC / Thumb-2 |
| Pin-to-Pin Compatibility | Compatible with SAM3N2A |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (TR) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (Green package per distributor listing) |
| Peripheral Features | DMA, parallel data capture mode on PIOs |
ATSAM3S2AA-AUR 48-lqfp (7x7 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM3S2AA-AUR (48-lqfp (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 ATSAM3S2AA-AUR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM3S2AA-AUR is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and Automation Nodes, USB Consumer Peripherals, Battery-Powered Metering and Portable Instruments, Embedded Audio and I2S Interfaces, Image Sensor Data Capture Systems, IoT Sensor Nodes and Gateways.
Industrial Control and Automation Nodes
In factory automation and process control, nodes must run deterministic control loops while bridging field signals to a supervisory system. The ATSAM3S2AA-AUR fits this role with its 64 MHz ARM Cortex-M3 core executing Thumb-2 code with deterministic interrupt latency, multiple UARTs and SPI/TWI buses for sensor and actuator interfacing, and a 1.62V to 3.6V supply range that tolerates industrial rail variations. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade and Green RoHS 48-LQFP package suit DIN-rail and panel-mounted electronics. DMA offloads UART and SPI transfers so the CPU can run communication stacks and PID logic concurrently, while the parallel PIO capture mode can interface non-standard encoders or low-cost image sensors directly.
Recommended
USB Consumer Peripherals
PC peripherals such as keyboards, mice, barcode readers, and game controllers require a USB 2.0 Full-Speed device interface plus modest compute. The ATSAM3S2AA-AUR integrates a USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) device controller whose endpoint FIFOs work with DMA, keeping HID report latency low without saturating the 64 MHz Cortex-M3 core. The 128 KB flash holds the USB stack, bootloader, and application comfortably, and 32 KB SRAM buffers endpoint traffic. Operating from 1.62V to 3.6V allows bus-powered designs via an on-board 3.3V regulator. The 48-pin LQFP (7x7 mm) provides enough GPIO for key matrices, optical sensors, and indicator LEDs in a compact, reflow-assemblable footprint.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Metering and Portable Instruments
Smart meters, portable test instruments, and data loggers need MCU performance with disciplined power consumption. The ATSAM3S2AA-AUR runs from a single 1.62V to 3.6V supply, matching lithium coin cells and 3.6V primary cells without a regulator in some topologies, and its CMOS Cortex-M3 core supports low-power sleep and wait modes for long battery life between 64 MHz active bursts. The on-chip ADC (per SAM3S family datasheet) samples analog metering front ends, while I2C/TWI reads RTC and calibration EEPROMs. The industrial temperature rating keeps instruments accurate across outdoor and utility environments, and the 7x7 mm 48-LQFP keeps the PCB compact for handheld enclosures.
Recommended
Embedded Audio and I2S Interfaces
Voice capture, intercoms, and simple audio effect units need an I2S port and enough processing headroom for codecs. The ATSAM3S2AA-AUR provides an I2S peripheral alongside UART, SPI, and TWI, letting designers connect digital microphones or audio DACs/ADCs directly. Running at 64 MHz, the Cortex-M3 core executes fixed-point filtering and gain control in software, while DMA moves I2S sample streams into the 32 KB SRAM without CPU intervention, preventing underflow glitches. The 1.62V to 3.6V supply simplifies integration with 3.3V audio codecs, and the industrial 48-LQFP package suits both commercial and harsh-environment audio products such as paging systems and automotive accessory modules.
Recommended
Image Sensor Data Capture Systems
According to Microchip, the SAM3S series PIOs offer a parallel data capture mode for devices not compliant with standard memory read protocols, such as low-cost image sensors, with DMA transferring captured frames to SRAM. The ATSAM3S2AA-AUR therefore acts as a compact frame-grabber controller: its 64 MHz Cortex-M3 core handles frame formatting and triggering while DMA streams pixel data into the 32 KB SRAM for buffering or forwarding over UART/SPI/USB. This makes the device attractive for simple machine-vision trigger nodes, barcode optics, and low-resolution camera modules. The 48-pin LQFP provides sufficient GPIO for the parallel sensor bus plus control signals, and the industrial grade supports always-on embedded deployments.
Recommended
IoT Sensor Nodes and Gateways
IoT edge nodes aggregate sensor data and forward it over wired or radio links. The ATSAM3S2AA-AUR offers the connectivity mix such nodes need: multiple UARTs for legacy sensors and radio modules, SPI for high-speed ADCs and flash, TWI/I2C for environmental sensors, and USB 2.0 Full-Speed for service and configuration. Its DMA engine keeps sensor sampling deterministic while the 64 MHz Cortex-M3 runs protocol stacks, and the parallel PIO capture mode accommodates non-standard digital sensors. With a 1.62V to 3.6V supply and sleep modes, the node sips power between transmissions. The 7x7 mm 48-LQFP fits compact sensor PCBs, and pin compatibility with the SAM3N2A gives a cost-down variant option.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM3S2AA-AUR β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM3S4AA-AUR | ATSAM3S4AA-AU | ATSAM3S2AA-AU | ATSAM3N2AA-AUR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 (pin-to-pin per Microchip) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / Max Clock | ARM Cortex-M3 / 64 MHz | ARM Cortex-M3 / 64 MHz | ARM Cortex-M3 / 64 MHz | ARM Cortex-M3 / 64 MHz | ARM Cortex-M3 / 64 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 128 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB |
| SRAM | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB |
| 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 |
| USB 2.0 Full-Speed | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (SAM3N series) |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) |
| Packaging Format | Tape & Reel (AUR suffix) | Tape & Reel | Tray | Tray | Tape & Reel |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed device controller (vs ATSAM3N2AA-AUR)
- Equal footprint with double flash growth path (vs ATSAM3S4AA-AUR)
- DMA-driven parallel PIO data capture (vs ATSAM3S4AA-AU)
Design Notes
Place one 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor at each VDD/VDDIO pin pair of the 48-LQFP, within 2 mm of the pin, plus a single 4.7 uF to 10 uF bulk capacitor near the supply entry. Microchip application notes for the SAM3S series recommend a solid ground plane under the 7x7 mm footprint and keeping the USB DM/DP differential pair length-matched with 90 ohm characteristic impedance for reliable Full-Speed (12 Mbps) operation.
The device accepts 1.62V to 3.6V, but for USB applications regulate the bus 5V down to a clean 3.3V with an LDO rated at least 150 mA, since the core, PIOs, and USB transceiver all draw from the 3.3V domain. If VDDCORE uses an internal regulator per the SAM3S datasheet, fit the recommended external capacitor value exactly; omitting or oversizing it can prevent startup. Estimate total budget from datasheet active/sleep current tables for your clock configuration.
Flash budget fills faster than expected once a USB stack and bootloader are included; 128 KB leaves limited headroom for OTA update staging. If firmware growth is planned, layout with the pin-identical ATSAM3S4AA (256 KB) as a second-source BOM option from day one. Also verify the ordering-code temperature suffix when sourcing: A-grade is industrial (-40C to +85C); do not substitute commercial-grade parts in industrial enclosures.
When using the PIO parallel data capture mode with image sensors, keep the parallel data bus under 10 cm and route it away from the USB DM/DP pair and crystal traces. Use series 22 to 33 ohm resistors on fast PIO lines to damp ringing. The SAM3S family datasheet input capture timing tables define the maximum reliable parallel bus speed - verify your sensor clock against them before finalizing layout.
Compliance Information
Distributor listings (DigiKey/Mouser) describe the package as LQFP GREEN, indicating RoHS compliance and lead-free construction. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals declarations were not found in the retrieved data - request formal compliance documentation from Microchip Technology.