ATSAM4C8CB-AUR - Dual Cortex-M4 120MHz 512KB MCU | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4C8CB-AUR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.22 | $8.22 |
| 10 | $7.55 | $75.50 |
| 100 | $6.85 | $685.00 |
| 500 | $6.3 | $3,150.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.8 | $5,800.00 |
ATSAM4C8CB-AUR Overview
A microcontroller unit (MCU) is a single integrated circuit that combines a processor core, memory, and peripherals into one chip, sitting within the broader hierarchy of embedded processors as part of Microchip's ARM-based SAM product line. Dual-core MCUs partition application processing and secure metering/comms tasks onto separate cores, improving determinism and security isolation.
Key features include two ARM Cortex-M4 processors with hardware floating-point units (FPU), 512 KB Flash organized as 512K x 8, 152 Kbytes of SRAM, and on-chip cache for each core. The device supports a 1.2V core supply with 3.3V I/O operation and is rated for industrial temperature environments. The Mouser listing highlights integrated crypto functionality, green (RoHS-type) packaging, and industrial temperature grade.
Architecturally, the dual Cortex-M4 RISC cores allow integration of application logic and security-sensitive metering functions with core-to-core communication handled on-chip, reducing external component count. Per-peripheral masters and DMA reduce CPU loading in communication-heavy metering designs.
Typical applications include smart energy meters (electricity metering), industrial automation nodes, and data-concentrator communication modules where two independent processing domains are required.
When designing with this device, budget Flash carefully: the 512 KB density is the mid-point of the SAM4C family, and code-size growth beyond it requires migration to ATSAM4C16 variants, which share the same package footprint.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-footprint family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, with data verified as of 2026-09-20.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4C8CB-AUR — 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 ATSAM4C8CB-AUR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core, Packaging, RoHS Status, Security, Temperature Grade.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4C16CB-AUR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$5.94 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4C8CA-AUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4CMS4CB-AUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4C4CB-AUR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4C8CN-AUR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4C8CB-AUR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | ARM Cortex-M4 (dual-core, with FPU) |
| Core Size | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 120 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 512 KB (512K x 8) Flash |
| SRAM Size | 152 KB |
| Cache | On-chip cache for each core |
| Supply Voltage (Core) | 1.2 V |
| Supply Voltage (I/O) | 3.3 V |
| Package | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) |
| Pin Count | 100 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial temp |
| Security | Integrated crypto functionality |
| Target Application | Smart energy applications |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (T/R) |
| RoHS Status | Green package (per Mouser listing) |
| Series | SAM4C (ATSAM4C8) |
ATSAM4C8CB-AUR 100-lqfp (14x14 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4C8CB-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 ATSAM4C8CB-AUR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4C8CB-AUR is suitable for 6 applications: Smart Electricity Metering, Data Concentrators and Communication Modules, Industrial Automation Nodes, Secure Embedded Systems, Battery-Powered Portable Instruments, Embedded Gateways and IoT Edge Devices.
Smart Electricity Metering
The ATSAM4C8CB-AUR is designed explicitly for smart energy applications: Microchip positions the SAM4C8 as a system-on-chip for electricity meters built around two 120 MHz Cortex-M4 processors. The dual-core architecture lets one core run the metrology and security stack while the other handles DLMS/COSEM communication and UI, providing deterministic task separation. With 512 KB Flash and 152 KB SRAM plus on-chip cache per core, firmware for metering, tariff processing, and encrypted communication fits on-chip. Integrated crypto hardware accelerates authentication, and the industrial temperature rating supports outdoor meter environments.
Recommended
Data Concentrators and Communication Modules
In AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) networks, data concentrators aggregate readings from many meters. The ATSAM4C8CB-AUR's dual 120 MHz Cortex-M4F cores partition protocol stacks (e.g., PLC or RF mesh management on one core, application aggregation on the other), while hardware FPU accelerates signal processing. The 152 KB SRAM supports buffering of multiple concurrent meter sessions, and the 100-pin LQFP supplies ample UART/SPI/I2C peripheral multiplexing for multi-interface designs. On-chip cache per core sustains throughput during bursty communication loads without external memory.
Recommended
Industrial Automation Nodes
Industrial control nodes benefit from the ATSAM4C8CB-AUR's industrial temperature rating and dual-core processing: one core can run the real-time control loop while the other executes fieldbus communication and diagnostics. The 120 MHz Cortex-M4 with FPU executes PID and filtering algorithms efficiently, and DMA-driven peripherals offload I/O handling. The 100-pin LQFP exposes sufficient GPIO and serial interfaces for sensor arrays, actuators, and HMI links, while integrated crypto supports secure firmware update and device authentication requirements in modern Industry 4.0 deployments.
Recommended
Secure Embedded Systems
The ATSAM4C8CB-AUR integrates cryptographic functionality (noted in the Mouser listing) making it suited to secure embedded systems such as payment terminals, secure loggers, and authenticated sensor gateways. The dual-core architecture enables a physically separated secure domain: security-critical code and keys execute on one core while less-trusted application code runs on the other, reducing attack surface. With 512 KB Flash, the secure boot loader, crypto libraries, and application coexist on-chip, and the 3.3 V I/O domain simplifies interfacing with standard peripheral ICs.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Portable Instruments
For portable measurement instruments, the ATSAM4C8CB-AUR offers a 1.2 V core with on-chip regulation and low-power operating modes typical of the SAM4C family, extending battery life in standby and intermittent-measurement duty cycles. The Cortex-M4F FPU performs DSP tasks such as FFT analysis without external coprocessors, and dual cores allow a display/UI core to sleep independently of the acquisition core. The 14x14 mm LQFP balances integration density with hand-assembly feasibility for prototype instrumentation builds.
Recommended
Embedded Gateways and IoT Edge Devices
IoT edge gateways need concurrent protocol translation and local control. The ATSAM4C8CB-AUR dedicates one Cortex-M4 core to cloud/edge protocol handling (MQTT, TLS via integrated crypto) and the other to sensor acquisition and actuator control, avoiding the timing conflicts of a single-core, RTOS-heavy design. 512 KB Flash and 152 KB SRAM host stacks and buffers on-chip, and per-core cache maintains responsiveness. The 100-pin package provides connectivity for Ethernet MAC-adjacent peripherals, multiple serial ports, and expansion buses common in gateway hardware.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4C8CB-AUR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4C16CB-AUR | ATSAM4C8CA-AUR | ATSAM4CMS4CB-AUR | ATSAM4C4CB-AUR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same | LQFP CA variant (different pin count) | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core | Dual-core ARM Cortex-M4F, 120 MHz | Dual-core ARM Cortex-M4F, 120 MHz | Dual-core ARM Cortex-M4F, 120 MHz | Dual-core ARM Cortex-M4F, 120 MHz | Dual-core ARM Cortex-M4F, 120 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 1.2 V core / 3.3 V I/O | 1.2 V core / 3.3 V I/O | 1.2 V core / 3.3 V I/O | 1.2 V core / 3.3 V I/O | 1.2 V core / 3.3 V I/O |
| Security / Crypto | Integrated crypto functionality | Integrated crypto functionality | Integrated crypto functionality | Security-enhanced configuration | Integrated crypto functionality |
| Target Application | Smart energy / metering | Smart energy / metering (larger firmware) | Smart energy / metering (fewer I/O) | Security-focused metering | Smart energy / metering (cost-optimized) |
Key Differentiators
- Dual-core security partitioning (vs ATSAM4C4CB-AUR)
- Cost-efficient mid-density choice (vs ATSAM4C16CB-AUR)
- Maximum I/O within SAM4C8 density (vs ATSAM4C8CA-AUR)
Design Notes
The SAM4C uses a 1.2 V core with a 3.3 V I/O domain; board power design should supply a clean 3.3 V rail and rely on the on-chip regulator for the core. Decouple each VDD/VDDIO pin group with 100 nF ceramic capacitors placed within 2 mm of the pins, plus bulk 10 uF per supply domain. Estimated: with a 120 MHz dual-core active load budget of a few hundred mA at 3.3 V, ensure the 3.3 V regulator is sized with margin above datasheet typical active current - consult the SAM4C datasheet power consumption tables for exact figures.
The 100-LQFP 14x14 mm footprint needs a thermal relief on the exposed ground ring: stitch GND pins to a solid ground plane with multiple vias. Route the analog/metrology inputs away from switching nodes - critical in metering designs where ADC accuracy determines billing accuracy. Keep crystal traces short (under 10 mm) and guard them with ground. Follow Microchip's SAM4C evaluation-kit layout as a reference design for pin-breakout strategy on a two-to-four-layer board.
Do not assume cross-vendor Cortex-M4 MCUs are pin-to-pin interchangeable - multiplexed pin functions differ fundamentally between families, so only same-family SAM4C parts should be treated as drop-in alternatives. Confirm Flash density headroom early: 512 KB fills quickly with TLS stacks plus DLMS/COSEM firmware; if code size approaches 450 KB, plan migration to ATSAM4C16CB-AUR (same footprint). Verify the exact memory and peripheral configuration of each ordering code against the SAM4C family datasheet ordering-information table before layout freeze.
Compliance Information
Mouser listing describes the package as 'LQFP, Green, IND TEMP, CRYPTO' - Microchip's green package denotes lead-free/RoHS-compliant construction. REACH and conflict minerals status should be confirmed via official Microchip environmental documentation.