ATSAM4CMS8CA-AUR - Dual-Core 120MHz MCU 512KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4CMS8CA-AUR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.12 | $8.12 |
| 10 | $7.42 | $74.20 |
| 100 | $6.85 | $685.00 |
| 500 | $6.35 | $3,175.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.92 | $5,920.00 |
ATSAM4CMS8CA-AUR Overview
A microcontroller unit (MCU) is a single-chip embedded computer that integrates a processor core, program memory, data memory, and peripheral functions such as timers, serial interfaces, and analog converters. MCUs sit at the heart of the embedded systems hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> system-on-chip -> semiconductor integrated circuit, and are the dominant computing element in industrial, automotive, and IoT devices.
Key differentiating features of the ATSAM4CMS8CA-AUR include its dual-core architecture, which allows one Cortex-M4F core to run the main application while the second core handles communication or safety tasks, a supply voltage range of 1.62V to 3.6V for battery-friendly operation, and an industrial temperature grade suitable for harsh environments. The 120 MHz core speed with single-cycle floating-point hardware (M4F) supports DSP-class workloads such as motor control and digital filtering.
Technically, the SAM4CM series is built on the ARMv7E-M architecture with Thumb-2 instruction set support. The dual-core configuration provides deterministic task partitioning, and the large 512 KB Flash permits field-updatable firmware with dual-bank-style boot strategies, while 128 KB SRAM supports substantial buffering for communication stacks and real-time data acquisition.
Typical applications include industrial motor control and factory automation, low-power portable and battery-operated devices, and networked sensor nodes using the integrated serial peripherals. The industrial temperature grade and RoHS-compliant LQFP package fit demanding embedded designs.
A key design consideration: the 1.62V to 3.6V supply range permits direct Li-ion or 3.3V rail operation, but PCB decoupling and power-rail sequencing per the manufacturer datasheet should be followed carefully.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4CMS8CA-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 ATSAM4CMS8CA-AUR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Processor, Series, RoHS Status, Package, Flash Memory.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4CMP8CA-AUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4CMP8CB-AUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4C8CA-AU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4S16CA-AU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4CMS8CA-AU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$8.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4CMS8CA-AUR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4/M4F dual-core |
| Core Size | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 512 KB (512K x 8) |
| SRAM | 128 KB (128K x 8) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
| Package | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) |
| Terminal Count | 100 |
| Terminal Form | Gull Wing |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial |
| Series | SAM4CM |
| Architecture | ARMv7E-M (RISC) |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (R suffix) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
ATSAM4CMS8CA-AUR 100-lqfp (14x14 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4CMS8CA-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 ATSAM4CMS8CA-AUR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4CMS8CA-AUR is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Motor Control, Battery-Powered Portable Devices, IoT Sensor Nodes and Edge Devices, Factory Automation and PLC I/O, Test and Measurement Instruments, Communication and Networking Equipment.
Industrial Motor Control
The ATSAM4CMS8CA-AUR fits motor control because its dual 120 MHz Cortex-M4F cores with single-cycle hardware floating-point let one core execute field-oriented control (FOC) loops deterministically while the second core manages communication, diagnostics, or safety monitoring. The 512 KB Flash accommodates sensorless estimation algorithms, parameter tables, and field-update code simultaneously. Placing the control loop in SRAM or tightly-cached Flash achieves consistent interrupt latency; the dual-core partitioning eliminates timing jitter caused by protocol stacks on the control core, a common single-core pain point in servo and BLDC drives.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Portable Devices
With a 1.62V to 3.6V supply range, the ATSAM4CMS8CA-AUR operates directly from Li-ion cells across their full discharge curve without an intermediate regulator stage, reducing bill-of-materials cost and quiescent losses. The SAM4CM family's low-power modes allow the application core to sleep while housekeeping tasks run, extending battery life in portable instruments, handheld meters, and wearable industrial devices. The 512 KB Flash supports complex application code with over-the-air update images stored on-chip. Designers should budget sleep-mode and active-mode currents from the datasheet power tables to model realistic battery runtime for their duty cycle.
Recommended
IoT Sensor Nodes and Edge Devices
The ATSAM4CMS8CA-AUR serves IoT edge nodes where local signal processing reduces uplink traffic: one core runs the sensor sampling and DSP filtering (using the M4F floating-point unit), while the other core services the network stack and encryption. The 128 KB SRAM provides ample buffering for burst acquisition and TLS session state. RoHS-compliant industrial temperature rating permits outdoor and unconditioned deployments. Typical architectures pair the MCU with a Wi-Fi, LoRa, or BLE radio module over UART/SPI; keeping radio handling off the sensing core prevents sample loss during transmission retries, a frequent reliability issue in dense RF environments.
Recommended
Factory Automation and PLC I/O
In factory automation, the ATSAM4CMS8CA-AUR functions as an intelligent I/O module or compact controller. The dual-core architecture naturally separates deterministic fieldbus timing from application logic: one core handles Industrial-Ethernet or CANopen protocol timing, the other executes ladder-style control tasks. The 512 KB Flash holds protocol stacks plus configuration and diagnostic web content, while the industrial temperature grade withstands cabinet environments. The 120 MHz core speed provides headroom for multi-axis coordination math in fixed or floating point, and the wide peripheral multiplexing of the 100-pin LQFP supports dense digital and analog channel counts on a single board.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instruments
Handheld and bench instruments benefit from the ATSAM4CMS8CA-AUR's combination of 512 KB Flash for rich UI firmware, 128 KB SRAM for waveform capture buffers, and the M4F hardware floating-point for calibration math and FFT processing at 120 MHz. The dual-core split isolates real-time acquisition from user-interface rendering, preventing button-press handling from disturbing measurement timing. The 100-pin LQFP exposes enough GPIO to drive segment or small TFT displays, keypad matrices, and multiple communication ports simultaneously. Designs typically stream ADC samples via DMA into SRAM while the measurement core performs windowing and analysis functions.
Recommended
Communication and Networking Equipment
The ATSAM4CMS8CA-AUR works as a protocol bridge, gateway controller, or module supervisor in networking equipment. Its second Cortex-M4F core can run an independent communication stack - for example converting Modbus to CANopen or USB to UART - while the primary core handles device logic and local storage in the 512 KB Flash. Deterministic core isolation means a protocol timeout on one core cannot stall the other, improving system availability in always-on infrastructure. The 1.62V to 3.6V operating range integrates cleanly with 3.3V backplane rails, and the LQFP-100's peripheral multiplexing accommodates multiple UART, SPI, and I2C ports concurrently.
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Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4CMS8CA-AUR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4CMP8CA-AUR | ATSAM4CMP8CB-AUR | ATSAM4C8CA-AU | ATSAM4S16CA-AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core Configuration | Dual-core Cortex-M4/M4F | Dual-core Cortex-M4/M4F | Dual-core Cortex-M4/M4F | SAM4C series configuration | Single-core Cortex-M4 |
| Max Clock Frequency | 120 MHz | 120 MHz | 120 MHz | 120 MHz | 120 MHz |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (R suffix) | Tape & Reel (R suffix) | Tape & Reel (R suffix) | Tray (AU suffix) | Tray (AU suffix) |
Key Differentiators
- Dual-core Cortex-M4F architecture (vs ATSAM4S16CA-AU)
- Hardware floating-point unit on both cores (vs ATSAM4C8CA-AU)
- Tape-and-reel delivery for automated assembly (vs ATSAM4CMS8CA-AU)
- 512 KB on-chip Flash capacity (vs ATSAM4CMP8CA-AUR)
Design Notes
Supply the ATSAM4CMS8CA-AUR from a regulated 3.3V rail within its 1.62V to 3.6V operating range. Place 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitors at each VDD/VDDIO pin pair, plus at least one bulk 10 uF capacitor near the package. For battery designs, a low-quiescent LDO (e.g., MCP1700 family) preserves the SAM4CM low-power advantage. Estimated: even at moderate 120 MHz active currents, a 3.3V rail with poor decoupling can show brownouts during Flash write operations - always verify supply integrity with a scope during programming.
The 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) has a 0.5 mm pin pitch requiring fine-pitch soldering: use a 4-mil solder stencil and inspect for bridging under AOI. Keep the crystal layout loop short - place the main oscillator crystal and load capacitors within 5 mm of the pins, guarded by a ground trace. Route the SWD debug pins (SWCLK/SWDIO) to a standard Cortex-M 10-pin header for in-system programming, since the dual-core device requires debugger support for both cores during development.
Do not assume pinout equivalence between the SAM4CM (dual-core) and SAM4S (single-core) families despite the shared LQFP-100 footprint - peripheral multiplexing differs between series, so verify the full pinout table in the SAM4CM datasheet before dropping in a sibling device. Also confirm exact Flash/SRAM density of any P8-variant substitution, as the 'S8' vs 'P8' designation changes the memory map that the linker script and bootloader depend on.
With dual cores at 120 MHz, simultaneous switching on wide GPIO buses can cause ground bounce on the LQFP's limited ground pins. Distribute multiple ground return paths around the package, limit per-bank sink/source current to datasheet ratings, and series-terminate fast edge lines above about 20 MHz. Estimated: adding 22-33 ohm series resistors on clock and bus lines suppresses ringing at minimal BOM cost.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance confirmed by LCSC listing (C3210373) and Mouser 'LQFP GREEN IND' description. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals status not stated in provided data.