ATSAM4C8CA-AUR - Dual-Core Cortex-M4 120MHz MCU | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4C8CA-AUR β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.2 | $7.20 |
| 10 | $6.55 | $65.50 |
| 100 | $5.9 | $590.00 |
| 500 | $5.35 | $2,675.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.85 | $4,850.00 |
ATSAM4C8CA-AUR Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer integrating a processor core, memory, and configurable peripherals on one die, sitting at the device level of the semiconductor hierarchy beneath system-on-chip (SoC) and above simple logic ICs. The SAM4C family extends Microchip's SAM4 ARM Cortex-M4 line into security-oriented, dual-processor applications where one core can dedicate itself to cryptographic or supervision tasks.
Key features include the dual-core architecture (Cortex-M4F main core with hardware FPU plus a second Cortex-M4 coprocessor), an Advanced Cryptographic Engine (ACE) with anti-tamper protection, 512KB embedded Flash, and 128KB SRAM. The peripheral set includes five USARTs, two UARTs, two TWI (I2C) controllers, up to seven SPI interfaces, a PWM timer, two 3-channel 16-bit general-purpose timers, and DMA controllers, enabling complex multi-channel communication designs.
Technically, the device runs from 1.2V/3.3V supply domains, supports an external bus interface (EBI/EMI) with a 16-bit bus to extend program and data memory off-chip, and integrates an LCD controller for direct segment or dot-matrix display drive. The 120MHz Cortex-M4 pipeline with DSP instructions and single-cycle FPU supports signal-processing workloads such as metering and secure communications.
Typical applications include smart energy meters, secure industrial control nodes, POS terminals, and LCD-based instrumentation where tamper resistance and dual-core isolation matter.
Design consideration: plan Flash partitioning between the two cores early; the ACE and anti-tamper features require careful PCB layout to avoid probing points on sensitive nets.
This page synthesizes distributor data, drop-in alternatives, and design notes beyond the manufacturer datasheet for higher information gain.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4C8CA-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 ATSAM4C8CA-AUR (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Core Processor, Packaging, RoHS Status, Package, Series.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4C16CA-CU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4C4CA-AU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4C32CA-CU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4E8CA-AU
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$7.45 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4S16CA-AU
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$5.55 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4C8CA-AUR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4/M4F dual-core |
| Core Size | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 120 MHz |
| Program Memory Type | FLASH |
| Program Memory Size | 512 KB (512K x 8) |
| RAM Size | 128 KB |
| Supply Voltage | 1.2 V / 3.3 V |
| External Bus Interface | EBI/EMI, 16-bit |
| Connectivity | EBI/EMI, I2C, IrDA, SPI, UART/USART |
| Peripherals | DMA, LCD controller, PWM, WDT |
| Number of USARTs | 5 |
| Number of SPIs | Up to 7 |
| Timers | Two 3-channel 16-bit general-purpose timers, PWM timer |
| Security Features | Advanced Cryptographic Engine (ACE), anti-tamper, FPU |
| Package | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) |
| Mounting Style | SMD/SMT |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (TR) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (RoHS: Y) |
| Series | SAM4C |
ATSAM4C8CA-AUR 100-lqfp (14x14 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4C8CA-AUR (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 ATSAM4C8CA-AUR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4C8CA-AUR is suitable for 6 applications: Smart Energy Metering, Secure Industrial Control Nodes, POS and Payment Terminals, LCD-Based Instrumentation and HMI, IoT Edge Devices with Security, Motor Control and Automation.
Smart Energy Metering
Smart electricity meters benefit directly from the ATSAM4C8CA-AUR's dual-core architecture and integrated security. One Cortex-M4F core runs metering computation and communication protocols at 120MHz, while the second core isolates the Advanced Cryptographic Engine handling DLMS/COSEM-class authentication and encrypted data exchange. The anti-tamper feature detects physical probing attempts, a key requirement for revenue-grade meters, and the two 3-channel 16-bit timers plus PWM support precise energy sampling. With 512KB Flash and 128KB SRAM, firmware including metrology stacks, multiple protocol stacks, and event logs fits on-chip. The LCD controller directly drives display segments, and the EBI/EMI 16-bit bus can extend memory for tariff tables when needed, all within a single 100-LQFP footprint.
Recommended
Secure Industrial Control Nodes
Industrial control nodes handling proprietary process data need both deterministic performance and communication protection, and the ATSAM4C8CA-AUR delivers both in one chip. The 120MHz Cortex-M4F core with hardware FPU executes PID loops and signal filtering with single-cycle multiply-accumulate, while the coprocessor offloads encryption tasks via the Advanced Cryptographic Engine without stealing main-core cycles. Five USARTs, two TWI I2C controllers, and up to seven SPI interfaces allow simultaneous connection of sensors, drives, and fieldbus transceivers, with DMA transfers keeping CPU load low. Anti-tamper protection guards firmware IP and configuration data on physically accessible hardware. Industrial designers value that the 1.2V/3.3V supply architecture simplifies interfacing with 3.3V logic across the PLC backplane.
Recommended
POS and Payment Terminals
Payment terminals require cryptographic processing, tamper evidence, and display drive - three requirements the ATSAM4C8CA-AUR addresses natively. The dual-core split lets the payment application core remain isolated from the security core running the Advanced Cryptographic Engine for PIN and transaction encryption, supporting security architectures that separate trusted and untrusted code. Anti-tamper circuitry detects enclosure intrusion attempts. The on-chip LCD controller drives customer-facing displays directly, while five USARTs connect card readers, printers, and PIN pads. With 512KB Flash and 128KB SRAM, the terminal application plus cryptographic libraries fit without external memory, though the EBI/EMI interface allows expansion if receipt buffering or graphics grow. Tape & Reel packaging (ATSAM4C8CA-AUR) suits automated production lines.
Recommended
LCD-Based Instrumentation and HMI
Test instruments and human-machine interfaces need both computational headroom and direct display drive, which the ATSAM4C8CA-AUR combines on one die. Its integrated LCD controller drives segment or dot-matrix panels without a dedicated display driver, reducing BOM cost and board area, while the 120MHz Cortex-M4F with FPU performs real-time measurement math, scaling, and filtering. The 16-bit EBI/EMI external bus supports additional SRAM for frame buffers or data-log storage beyond the on-chip 128KB. Multiple SPI and USART channels connect ADC front-ends, touch controllers, and communication ports concurrently, with DMA keeping interrupt latency predictable for responsive user interfaces. The dual-core option can dedicate one processor to UI rendering and the other to control loops, preventing interaction freezes common on single-core HMIs.
Recommended
IoT Edge Devices with Security
IoT edge nodes that transmit sensitive data need local cryptographic acceleration, and the ATSAM4C8CA-AUR's Advanced Cryptographic Engine with anti-tamper provides hardware security that software-only Cortex-M solutions lack. The 120MHz dual-core design handles sensor acquisition on one core and TLS-class session handling on the other, improving worst-case latency versus interrupt-driven single-core designs. Up to seven SPI controllers and two TWI I2C buses interface sensors and radios concurrently, while five USARTs support modem and RS-485 links. The 512KB Flash accommodates an RTOS plus over-the-air update images, and DMA offloads data paths to conserve power between wakeups. Designers should note supply domains are 1.2V/3.3V, matching common sensor and radio logic levels directly.
Recommended
Motor Control and Automation
The ATSAM4C8CA-AUR suits embedded motor-control and automation controllers that combine FOC computation with supervisory communication. The Cortex-M4F's hardware FPU executes field-oriented control math efficiently at 120MHz, the PWM timer generates drive waveforms, and two 3-channel 16-bit general-purpose timers capture encoder or hall feedback. Five USARTs and multiple SPI channels connect drives, sensors, and supervisory PLCs, while DMA ensures PWM update rates are not disturbed by communication interrupts. The dual-core split can dedicate one core to the control loop and the other to protocol stacks such as Modbus, hardening real-time determinism. Anti-tamper protects proprietary control algorithms, and the 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) package offers abundant GPIO for relays, indicators, and safety interlocks on one board.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4C8CA-AUR β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4C16CA-CU | ATSAM4C4CA-AU | ATSAM4E8CA-AU | ATSAM4S16CA-AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) | 100-LQFP - same footprint | 100-LQFP - same footprint | 100-LQFP - same footprint, different pin functions | 100-LQFP - same footprint, different pin functions |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core Architecture | Dual-core Cortex-M4/M4F | Dual-core Cortex-M4/M4F | Dual-core Cortex-M4/M4F | Single-core Cortex-M4F | Single-core Cortex-M4F |
| Flash Memory | 512 KB | 1024 KB | 256 KB | 512 KB | 1024 KB |
| SRAM | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB |
| Maximum Clock | 120 MHz | 120 MHz | 120 MHz | 120 MHz | 120 MHz |
| Cryptographic Engine | Yes (ACE + anti-tamper) | Yes (ACE + anti-tamper) | Yes (ACE + anti-tamper) | No | No |
| Ethernet MAC | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant |
Key Differentiators
- Dual-core security architecture (vs ATSAM4E8CA-AU)
- Hardware security for revenue-grade designs (vs ATSAM4S16CA-AU)
- Memory headroom migration path (vs ATSAM4C4CA-AU)
- Trade-off: no Ethernet (vs ATSAM4E8CA-AU)
Design Notes
The ATSAM4C8CA-AUR uses 1.2V and 3.3V supply domains (per Kynix listing: 1.2V/3.3V 100-Pin LQFP). Provide separate, well-decoupled 3.3V rails for VDDIO/VDDCORE per the SAM4C datasheet power architecture, and use a regulated 1.2V core supply with local 100nF plus bulk 10uF decoupling at each power pin pair. Estimated: with ~50 mA typical active current at 3.3V, core power is roughly 0.17 W - well within LQFP-100 thermal capability, but verify against the current datasheet electrical characteristics table for your exact clock configuration.
For the anti-tamper and cryptographic features to be meaningful, avoid routing tamper-detection nets and crystal circuits on the outer PCB layers where they can be probed. Place the 120MHz-capable main oscillator close to the MCU with guard ground, keep the EBI/EMI 16-bit bus within 10 cm of external memory to limit stubs, and use a solid ground plane under the 100-LQFP. Follow Microchip's SAM4C hardware design application notes for oscillator layout and reset circuitry before tape-out.
A frequent SAM4C pitfall is assuming cross-family pin compatibility: the ATSAM4C8C, ATSAM4E8C, and ATSAM4S16 all exist in 100-LQFP, but peripheral multiplexing and pin assignments differ, so a footprint match is NOT a drop-in match across families. Within the SAM4C family itself (ATSAM4C4C/8C/16C/32C in the same package), migration is intended to be footprint-compatible - always confirm against the specific datasheet pinout table. Also budget Flash partitions for the coprocessor early; late dual-core partitioning changes are costly.
Compliance Information
RoHS: Y per distributor listing (omo-ic.com). Mouser lists the part as 'LQFP Green IND TEMP' indicating green/lead-free industrial-temperature packaging. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals status not stated in provided data.