ATSAM4CP16B-AHU-Y - Dual-Core Cortex-M4 120MHz MCU | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4CP16B-AHU-Y β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.09 | $18.09 |
| 10 | $17.2 | $172.00 |
| 100 | $16.28 | $1,628.00 |
| 500 | $15.38 | $7,690.00 |
| 1,000 | $14.47 | $14,470.00 |
ATSAM4CP16B-AHU-Y Overview
An MCU (microcontroller unit) is a single integrated circuit that combines a processor core, memory, and peripherals into one chip, forming the lowest level of the embedded computing hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor IC. The SAM4CP series belongs to Microchip's (formerly Atmel) SAM4 ARM Cortex-M4 family and is purpose-built for Power Line Communication (PLC) applications. Each package integrates two independently programmable Cortex-M4 cores plus a dedicated PLC modem supporting PRIME v1.3 and v1.4, making it a complete System-on-Chip solution for smart-grid and metering infrastructure.
Key differentiating features include the dual-core 120 MHz Cortex-M4/M4F architecture, 1 MB embedded Flash, a PLC modem capable of baud rates from 5.4 kbps up to 128 kbps with independently selectable transmission bands up to 472 kHz, and an industrial operating temperature range. The supply voltage spans 1.08V to 3.6V, enabling battery-friendly and 3.3V rail designs.
Technically, the two Cortex-M4 cores partition application duties: one core typically runs the PRIME protocol stack and network management while the second handles application logic such as metering computation and display control, reducing real-time contention versus single-core solutions. The integrated S-FSK (Spread Frequency Shift Keying) PHY removes the need for an external PLC modem chipset.
Typical applications include smart electricity meters, PRIME-compliant data concentrators, streetlighting control nodes, and other smart-grid communication endpoints that require certified PLC connectivity over low-voltage or medium-voltage power lines.
Design consideration: the 1.08V minimum supply must be respected during brownout; use the device's supervision features and verify the analog front-end matching network for the target PLC band to maximize coupling efficiency on the power line.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4CP16B-AHU-Y β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4CP16A-AHU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4CP16B-AU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4CP15B-AHU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4CP16B-AHU-Y Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4/M4F |
| Number of Cores | 2 (Dual-Core) |
| Core Size | 32-Bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory Size | 1 MB (1M x 8) |
| SRAM Size | 152 KB (152K x 8) |
| Series | SAM4CP |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.08 V to 3.6 V |
| Package | 176-LQFP (24x24 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Number of Pins / Terminals | 176 |
| Terminal Form | Gull Wing |
| Operating Temperature | Industrial temp range |
| PLC Modem Specification | PRIME v1.3 and v1.4, S-FSK/PRIM |
| PLC Baud Rate | 5.4 kbps to 128 kbps |
| PLC Transmission Band | Up to 472 kHz (independently selectable) |
| Product Grade | Green, IND TEMP, MRL A |
| Standard Package Name | LQFP (AL) |
ATSAM4CP16B-AHU-Y lqfp (al) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4CP16B-AHU-Y (lqfp (al) 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 ATSAM4CP16B-AHU-Y.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4CP16B-AHU-Y is suitable for 6 applications: Smart Electricity Meters, PRIME Data Concentrators, Streetlighting Control Nodes, Smart-Grid PLC Communication Endpoints, Industrial Automation Nodes with Line Communication, Building Energy Management Systems.
Smart Electricity Meters
The ATSAM4CP16B-AHU-Y fits smart electricity metering because it integrates both the metering compute platform and the PRIME PLC modem in one 176-LQFP device. Its dual-core 120 MHz Cortex-M4 architecture lets one core execute the PRIME v1.3/v1.4 protocol stack at 5.4 to 128 kbps while the second core independently processes energy-measurement algorithms, eliminating real-time contention that single-core designs suffer. The 1 MB Flash holds the full stack plus application firmware, and 152 KB SRAM buffers network traffic and measurement data. The 1.08V to 3.6V supply range supports the low-power meter power supply, and the industrial temperature rating survives outdoor meter enclosures, reducing BOM cost versus MCU-plus-external-modem solutions.
Recommended
PRIME Data Concentrators
In PRIME smart-grid deployments, data concentrators aggregate meter readings from many nodes over the low-voltage power line and backhaul data upstream. The ATSAM4CP16B-AHU-Y fits this role because its S-FSK PLC modem supports independently selectable transmission bands up to 472 kHz, letting engineers tune the concentrator to the band plan used in the target region, and baud rates from 5.4 kbps to 128 kbps balance robustness with throughput on noisy grids. With two 120 MHz Cortex-M4 cores, one core services multiple PLC channels or base-node protocol handling while the other manages backhaul and local HMI. The 1 MB Flash and 152 KB SRAM store firmware plus neighbor tables and firmware image caching for large meter fleets.
Recommended
Streetlighting Control Nodes
Streetlighting controllers need reliable communication over the street's power line without installing separate cabling, which is exactly the PRIME PLC use case the ATSAM4CP16B-AHU-Y was designed for. The integrated S-FSK modem with bands up to 472 kHz couples directly to the lighting circuit through a simple analog front end, achieving 5.4 to 128 kbps depending on line conditions. The wide 1.08V to 3.6V supply range tolerates supply droop from the lamp-driver power supply, and the dual-core 120 MHz Cortex-M4 splits dimming control (PWM generation) from PLC network duty. Industrial temperature rating and Green MRL A packaging suit sealed outdoor luminaires exposed to wide ambient swings.
Recommended
Smart-Grid PLC Communication Endpoints
Beyond metering, any grid endpoint - load switches, distribution monitoring units, and renewable inverter gateways - benefits from the ATSAM4CP16B-AHU-Y. The on-chip PRIME v1.3/v1.4 modem provides standards-compliant S-FSK communication at 5.4 to 128 kbps without an external PLC chipset, and independently selectable bands up to 472 kHz let the same PCB address different regional band plans. The 1 MB (1M x 8) Flash supports field-updatable firmware with dual-bank images, important for devices that are hard to physically access. Two 120 MHz Cortex-M4 cores with FPU handle DSP tasks such as signal-quality monitoring while maintaining protocol stack timing, and 152 KB SRAM supports buffers for telemetry logging.
Recommended
Industrial Automation Nodes with Line Communication
Industrial machines and cabinets often lack Ethernet drops but sit on readily available power circuits; PRIME PLC over those lines avoids new wiring. The ATSAM4CP16B-AHU-Y provides this connectivity natively, with its PLC modem delivering up to 128 kbps on selectable bands up to 472 kHz - adequate for sensor polling, status, and command traffic. The dual-core 120 MHz Cortex-M4 with FPU runs local control loops on one core while the other services the network stack, and 1 MB Flash accommodates protocol stack plus application logic such as Modbus-to-PRIME gateways. The industrial temperature grade and 1.08V to 3.6V supply range fit standard 3.3V cabinet electronics and survive factory-floor temperature extremes.
Recommended
Building Energy Management Systems
Building energy management systems (BEMS) sub-meter circuits, HVAC zones, and lighting groups; PRIME PLC over the building's existing wiring lowers installation cost versus dedicated buses. The ATSAM4CP16B-AHU-Y integrates the compliant v1.3/v1.4 S-FSK modem, 5.4 to 128 kbps adaptive throughput, and dual 120 MHz Cortex-M4 cores: one aggregates multiple metering front-ends' data, the other runs the PLC stack and local scheduling. The 1 MB Flash stores configuration, schedules, and logs, while 152 KB SRAM buffers telemetry during line outages. The 24x24 mm 176-LQFP offers abundant GPIO for relays, displays, and sensors, and the industrial temperature rating suits rooftop and plant-room installations.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4CP16B-AHU-Y β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4CP16A-AHU | ATSAM4CP16B-AU | ATSAM4CP15B-AHU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 176-LQFP (24x24 mm) | 176-LQFP (24x24 mm) - same | 176-LQFP (24x24 mm) - same | 176-LQFP (24x24 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) |
| Core / Cores | Cortex-M4 x2, dual-core 120 MHz | Cortex-M4 x2, 120 MHz | Cortex-M4 x2, 120 MHz | Cortex-M4 x2, 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 1 MB (1M x 8) | 1 MB (1M x 8) | 1 MB (1M x 8) | 512 KB |
| PLC Modem | PRIME v1.3/v1.4, S-FSK, up to 472 kHz, 5.4-128 kbps | PRIME v1.3/v1.4, S-FSK | PRIME v1.3/v1.4, S-FSK | PRIME v1.3/v1.4, S-FSK |
| Supply Voltage | 1.08 V to 3.6 V | 1.08 V to 3.6 V | 1.08 V to 3.6 V | 1.08 V to 3.6 V |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated PRIME v1.3/v1.4 PLC modem (vs STM32F217IGT6)
- True dual-core Cortex-M4 at 120 MHz (vs STM32F217IGT6)
- Pin-compatible in-family upgrade path (vs ATSAM4CP15B-AHU)
Design Notes
The ATSAM4CP16B-AHU-Y specifies a 1.08V to 3.6V supply range. For 3.3V meter supplies, budget for brownout transients when the PLC power amplifier transmits on the power line - the TX burst current can droop the local rail. Use bulk capacitance near the VDDIO and VDDCORE pins and enable the Microchip brownout detector below 1.08V operation thresholds. Never rely on the minimum 1.08V as a normal operating point; it is a survival limit.
The 176-LQFP (24x24 mm) gull-wing package requires careful fanout for the PLC analog front-end. Keep the S-FSK modem's analog pins and the coupling transformer/amplifier network on a clean analog island, separated from the switching digital planes. Use a solid ground plane under the device and place 100 nF decoupling capacitors within 2 mm of each supply pin pair. The 0.5 mm pin pitch demands solder-mask-defined pads per IPC LQFP land-pattern recommendations to avoid bridging during reflow.
A common PRIME design pitfall is assuming baud rate: the modem achieves 5.4 to 128 kbps depending on line conditions and selected band (up to 472 kHz). Prototype with your actual grid or test-network impedance before committing to throughput assumptions in the product specification. Also verify that 1 MB Flash sizing is adequate for both cores' firmware plus the PRIME stack - if margin is tight, the pin-compatible ATSAM4CP16B family cannot be downgraded to the 512 KB ATSAM4CP15B without firmware reduction.
Compliance Information
Listed as Green, IND TEMP, MRL A packaging per FindIC/distributor specification data, indicating green (RoHS-type) lead-free gull-wing terminations. REACH and conflict-minerals status not stated in provided data.
