ATSAM3X4CA-AUR - 84MHz Cortex-M3 MCU 256KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM3X4CA-AUR β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9.69 | $9.69 |
| 10 | $9.21 | $92.10 |
| 100 | $8.72 | $872.00 |
| 500 | $8.29 | $4,145.00 |
| 1,000 | $7.86 | $7,860.00 |
ATSAM3X4CA-AUR Overview
A microcontroller unit (MCU) integrates a processor core, program memory, data memory, and a rich set of peripherals onto a single silicon die, forming the heart of an embedded system. Within the semiconductor hierarchy, the ATSAM3X4CA-AUR belongs to the SAM3X family of ARM Cortex-M3-based flash microcontrollers, under the broader categories of 32-bit MCUs, embedded processors, and integrated circuits. Microchip (which acquired Atmel, the original SAM3X designer) positions this family for applications needing significant processing headroom, connectivity, and analog integration.
Key features of the ATSAM3X4CA-AUR include the 84 MHz Cortex-M3 core delivering 1.25 DMIPS/MHz performance, 256 KB of Flash program memory, flexible supply operation from 1.62 V minimum (nominally 1.8 V, 2.5 V, or 3.3 V rails), and a Green Industrial temperature rating suitable for demanding industrial environments. The device integrates USB connectivity and a multi-source interrupt controller typical of the SAM3X architecture.
Architecturally, the Cortex-M3 core combines a 3-stage pipeline with a Harvard bus structure, a nested vectored interrupt controller (NVIC) for deterministic low-latency interrupts, and a Thumb-2 instruction set that balances code density with performance. Flash memory is tightly coupled to the core for zero-wait-state execution in many access patterns, supporting real-time control loops.
Typical applications include industrial automation and control nodes, 3D printers and motion control systems, consumer devices requiring USB connectivity, and embedded instrumentation. The Arduino Due development platform popularized the SAM3X family, giving this device a large ecosystem of libraries and reference designs.
Design consideration: the device requires a 1.62 V minimum supply, so verify brown-out behavior on 3.3 V rails with high transient loads, and follow Microchip layout guidance for the LQFP-100 decoupling network.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM3X4CA-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 ATSAM3X4CA-AUR (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Core Processor, Maximum Clock Frequency, Package, RoHS Status, Series.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM3X4CA-AU
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM3X8CA-AUR
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM3A4CA-AU
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$12.3 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4CMP32CA-AUR
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$6.25 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM3X4CA-AUR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M3 |
| Core Size | 32-Bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 84 MHz |
| Flash Memory Size | 256 KB (256K x 8) |
| Series | SAM3X (ATSAM3X) |
| Supply Voltage Minimum | 1.62 V |
| Nominal Supply Voltage Options | 1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V |
| Number of Pins | 100 |
| Package | 100-LQFP (14 x 14 mm) |
| Mounting Style | Surface Mount |
| Temperature Rating | Green Industrial |
| Program Memory Type | FLASH |
| Instruction Set | Thumb-2 (RISC) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (Green package) |
ATSAM3X4CA-AUR 100-lqfp (14 x 14 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM3X4CA-AUR (100-lqfp (14 x 14 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 ATSAM3X4CA-AUR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM3X4CA-AUR is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation and Control, 3D Printers and Motion Control, USB-Connected Embedded Devices, Embedded Instrumentation and Data Loggers, Consumer Electronics with Rich HMI, Motor Drive and Power Control Subsystems.
Industrial Automation and Control
The ATSAM3X4CA-AUR fits industrial automation nodes because its 84 MHz Cortex-M3 core delivers deterministic interrupt handling via the NVIC, and its Green Industrial temperature rating targets factory-floor environments. In a typical control node it runs the real-time control loop, manages RS-485/CAN or UART fieldbus links, and processes sensor inputs, with the 256 KB Flash holding both protocol stacks and the application. Supply operation from a 3.3 V rail simplifies integration with industrial logic. Unlike 8-bit MCUs, the 32-bit core provides headroom for protocol processing without a second processor, while the LQFP-100 pin count supplies the GPIO density needed for I/O expansion.
Recommended
3D Printers and Motion Control
The SAM3X family is widely used in 3D printer mainboards because the 84 MHz Cortex-M3 core executes step-generation timers and interpolation math fast enough for multi-axis motion. The ATSAM3X4CA-AUR with 256 KB Flash accommodates firmware such as Marlin-class control stacks, while the 100-pin LQFP exposes enough GPIO for stepper drivers, thermistor ADC channels, and end-stop inputs. Running from a 3.3 V rail, it interfaces cleanly with common stepper driver ICs. The Arduino Due lineage of the SAM3X family means proven open-source board designs and firmware support reduce development risk for motion-control products.
Recommended
USB-Connected Embedded Devices
The ATSAM3X4CA-AUR suits USB-connected devices through the SAM3X family's integrated USB peripheral, enabling device-class implementations such as CDC, HID, or mass storage without an external USB chip. In a typical design the MCU enumerates as a USB device to a host PC while simultaneously handling the application workload on the 84 MHz core; the 256 KB Flash stores descriptors, class drivers, and firmware. The LQFP-100 package supplies the GPIO for user interfaces, indicators, and auxiliary sensors. This makes the part appropriate for test pods, data loggers, and programming fixtures where a robust USB link is the primary host interface.
Recommended
Embedded Instrumentation and Data Loggers
For battery-powered instrumentation and data loggers, the ATSAM3X4CA-AUR combines sufficient compute (84 MHz, 1.25 DMIPS/MHz) for signal processing with the peripheral integration needed to condition and sample analog inputs. The device runs from a 3.3 V rail with a 1.62 V minimum specification, compatible with low-dropout regulator-fed designs, and the Cortex-M3 sleep modes allow duty-cycled acquisition to extend battery life. The 256 KB Flash retains logged configuration and supports field firmware updates. The LQFP-100 pinout provides the ADC, timer, and communication channel mix typical of multi-sensor logging front ends.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics with Rich HMI
Consumer products that require a graphical or touch interface benefit from the ATSAM3X4CA-AUR's processing headroom and peripheral mix: the 84 MHz core can refresh small TFT displays over parallel or SPI interfaces while servicing touch and encoder inputs via interrupt-driven handlers. The 256 KB Flash accommodates UI assets and application logic, and the 100-pin LQFP provides the GPIO count for keypad matrices, LEDs, and interface connectors. The Green RoHS-compliant package meets consumer environmental requirements. Its ARM Cortex-M3 architecture also keeps code portable across the broader ARM ecosystem for future product derivatives.
Recommended
Motor Drive and Power Control Subsystems
The ATSAM3X4CA-AUR serves motor drive subsystems where the Cortex-M3's fast interrupt latency and timer peripherals generate complementary PWM outputs with dead-time for inverter stages. At 84 MHz, the core executes field-oriented control arithmetic for single- and light multi-phase drives, while the 256 KB Flash holds control law tables and communication firmware for supervisory links. Designs typically pair the MCU with gate drivers on a 3.3 V logic interface. The Green Industrial rating and LQFP-100 package integrate cleanly into industrial drive boards, and the SAM3X toolchain supports Motor Control reference designs from Microchip.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM3X4CA-AUR β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM3X4CA-AU | ATSAM3X8CA-AUR | ATSAM3A4CA-AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same | 100-QFP - same footprint |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core | ARM Cortex-M3, 32-bit | ARM Cortex-M3, 32-bit | ARM Cortex-M3, 32-bit | ARM Cortex-M3, 32-bit |
| Max Clock Frequency | 84 MHz | 84 MHz | 84 MHz | 84 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB | 256 KB | 512 KB | 256 KB |
| Supply Voltage (min) | 1.62 V | 1.62 V | 1.62 V | 1.62 V |
| High-Speed USB | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (full-speed only) |
| Packaging Format | Tape & Reel (R suffix) | Tray | Tape & Reel | Tray |
Key Differentiators
- Arduino Due software ecosystem (vs ATSAM3A4CA-AU)
- Cost-optimized 256 KB density (vs ATSAM3X8CA-AUR)
- Reel packaging for automated assembly (vs ATSAM3X4CA-AU)
Design Notes
Power the ATSAM3X4CA-AUR from a regulated 3.3 V rail meeting the 1.62 V minimum with margin. SAM3X devices use internal LDO/decoupling architecture with separate VDDCORE and VDDIO domains - follow the Microchip datasheet power section for required external decoupling capacitors on each domain pin. Place 100 nF ceramic capacitors at every VDD/VDDIO pin pair plus one bulk 10 uF per rail region. Verify the brown-out detector setting matches your power supply ramp so the core never executes from under-volted Flash during startup.
For the 100-LQFP (14 x 14 mm) package, place the crystal and its load capacitors within a few millimeters of the oscillator pins with a solid ground guard ring to minimize jitter on the 84 MHz system clock. Route USB differential pairs as 90 ohm matched-length traces when using the USB peripheral. SnapEDA provides a verified LQFP-100 footprint for Altium, KiCad, and Eagle - use a verified footprint rather than a hand-drawn land pattern to avoid solder-bridge defects on the 0.5 mm pitch leads.
A common migration pitfall is assuming all SAM3X variants share identical peripherals: the ATSAM3A4CA-AU shares the 100-pin footprint but lacks the high-speed USB class of the SAM3X line, so firmware using USB HS will fail if substituted blindly. Also note the R suffix means Tape and Reel - for reflow assembly ensure your moisture sensitivity level (MSL) baking procedures match the floor-life of the bag opening date printed on the label.
Compliance Information
Microchip classifies the ATSAM3X4CA-AUR as a Green Industrial part, indicating RoHS-compliant, lead-free, halogen-free packaging. REACH and conflict-minerals declarations should be requested from Microchip compliance documentation.