ATSAM4E16CA-AN - 120MHz Cortex-M4, 1MB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4E16CA-AN ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $11.26 | $11.26 |
| 10 | $10.35 | $103.50 |
| 100 | $9.48 | $948.00 |
| 500 | $8.72 | $4,360.00 |
| 1,000 | $8.05 | $8,050.00 |
ATSAM4E16CA-AN Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a processor core, memory, and peripherals on one die, forming the lowest level of the embedded-system hierarchy: MCU -> embedded processor -> system-on-chip -> computing platform. The SAM4E series belongs to Microchip's SMART ARM-based Flash MCU family, positioned for connected industrial and smart-energy applications that need both DSP-class math performance and Ethernet connectivity in a single chip.
Key features of the ATSAM4E16CA-AN include the ARM Cortex-M4 core with 2 KB instruction cache, a hardware Floating Point Unit (FPU) and DSP instructions, a Memory Protection Unit (MPU), Thumb-2 instruction set support, and a supply range of 1.62 V to 3.6 V. The SAM4E series integrates an Ethernet MAC, making it distinct from the otherwise similar SAM4C series, which targets smart energy metering without Ethernet.
Architecturally, the Cortex-M4 achieves high data bandwidth through its Harvard bus structure and the 2 KB cache, while the FPU executes single-precision floating-point math in hardware - valuable for control loops, protocol stacks, and measurement algorithms that would otherwise burden the CPU with software emulation.
Typical applications include industrial control and automation nodes, smart energy metering gateways, building control, and networked sensors that use the on-chip Ethernet MAC for fieldbus or IoT backhaul.
When designing with this device, plan for decoupling of the multiple supply domains (1.2 V core domain is internally regulated; 2.5 V/3.3 V I/O and analog domains per the datasheet) and verify the 100-LQFP (14x14) footprint, because suffix variants differ in packing rather than footprint.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-family drop-in alternatives, and design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4E16CA-AN — 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 ATSAM4E16CA-AN (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Processor, Series, Flash Memory.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4SD32CA-AU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4E8CA-AU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$7.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4C16CB-AU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4E16CA-AN Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Core Size | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 120 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 1 MB (1M x 8) Flash |
| RAM Size | 128 KB (128K x 8) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
| Supply Voltages | 1.2 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V domains |
| Cache | 2 KB instruction cache |
| Floating Point Unit | Yes (single-precision FPU) |
| DSP Instructions | Yes |
| Memory Protection Unit | Yes (MPU) |
| Instruction Set | Thumb-2 |
| Package | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packing | Tray |
| Series | SAM4E |
| Ethernet MAC | Yes (SAM4E series feature) |
ATSAM4E16CA-AN 100-lqfp (14x14 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4E16CA-AN (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 ATSAM4E16CA-AN.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4E16CA-AN is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and Automation, Smart Energy Metering, Networked IoT Sensor Gateways, Building Automation Controllers, Medical and Diagnostic Instruments, Embedded Networking and Communication Equipment.
Industrial Control and Automation
The ATSAM4E16CA-AN fits industrial control nodes where a 120 MHz Cortex-M4 with hardware FPU executes PID and motion-control loops deterministically while the 1 MB Flash holds protocol stacks and a bootloader with headroom for field firmware updates. Its SAM4E-series Ethernet MAC allows the controller to serve web interfaces or connect to plant SCADA networks without an external network processor. The MPU supports functional partitioning of safety-relevant code, and Thumb-2/DSP instructions accelerate filtering of ADC-sampled sensor data. Designers typically pair it with external PHY and isolated I/O to build compact single-chip control heads for conveyors, pumps, and process skids.
Recommended
Smart Energy Metering
Microchip positions the SAM4E/SAM4C families explicitly for smart energy metering. The ATSAM4E16CA-AN's DSP instructions and single-precision FPU compute RMS, FFT-based harmonic analysis, and energy accumulation from ADC samples at line frequency without host support, while 1 MB Flash accommodates DLMS/COSEM or other metering firmware plus secure bootloaders. The 1.62 V to 3.6 V supply range supports battery-backed metering front ends, and the MPU helps isolate billing-critical code. Where metering designs do not need Ethernet, the pin-compatible ATSAM4C16CB-AU offers a metering-optimized peripheral set; the SAM4E suits data-concentrator and gateway meters that backhaul over Ethernet.
Recommended
Networked IoT Sensor Gateways
For IoT gateways that aggregate field sensors and report over a wired uplink, the ATSAM4E16CA-AN provides a single-chip solution: the 120 MHz Cortex-M4 runs an RTOS with an lwIP TCP/IP stack on the integrated Ethernet MAC, 128 KB SRAM buffers packet traffic and sensor queues, and 1 MB Flash stores application plus OTA update images. The 2 KB cache and Harvard bus architecture sustain high data bandwidth for concurrent sensor sampling and network I/O. Engineers commonly connect the MCU to sensor hubs over TWI/SPI and use the FPU for on-edge analytics such as vibration FFTs, reducing cloud bandwidth and improving response latency in condition-monitoring deployments.
Recommended
Building Automation Controllers
Building automation nodes benefit from the ATSAM4E16CA-AN's combination of network connectivity and real-time control. The integrated Ethernet MAC supports BACnet/IP or Modbus TCP implementations directly on-chip, while the 120 MHz FPU-equipped core handles HVAC control algorithms, scheduling, and trending logs in the 128 KB SRAM. The 1 MB Flash stores multiple protocol personalities for product-line variants on one PCB. The wide 1.62 V to 3.6 V operating range tolerates supply sag from shared building power rails, and the 100-LQFP (14x14) two-row peripheral footprint simplifies routing of the many I/O needed for damper, valve, and sensor interfaces in wall-mounted and panel controllers.
Recommended
Medical and Diagnostic Instruments
Benchtop and portable diagnostic instruments use the ATSAM4E16CA-AN for its DSP-accelerated signal processing: the hardware FPU and DSP instructions run digital filtering, peak detection, and calibration math on sensor waveforms at 120 MHz, while the MPU enforces memory partitioning useful in instrument software architectures. The 1 MB Flash retains device configuration, patient-calibration tables, and UI assets, and the Ethernet MAC streams data to lab information systems without an additional processor. The low-noise on-chip ADC channels and precise TWI/SPI timing support front ends such as optical and pressure sensors, and the 100-LQFP 14x14 package suits compact handheld instrument housings.
Recommended
Embedded Networking and Communication Equipment
Communication equipment such as industrial routers, serial-device servers, and protocol converters leverage the SAM4E's defining Ethernet MAC plus multiple USARTs to bridge legacy serial devices onto IP networks. The 120 MHz Cortex-M4 with 2 KB cache sustains line-rate bridging for 10/100 Ethernet traffic with protocol translation in the 128 KB SRAM, and 1 MB Flash holds stacks for Modbus, PROFINET-style fieldbus gateways, or custom tunneling. Hardware FPU offloads encryption-adjacent math and traffic statistics. Because the device is Flash-based with in-application programming support, firmware updates can be delivered remotely over the network - critical for deployed communication infrastructure in inaccessible locations.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4E16CA-AN — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4SD32CA-AU | ATSAM4E8CA-AU | ATSAM4C16CB-AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same | 100-LQFP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology (Atmel) |
| Core / Speed | ARM Cortex-M4, 120 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4, 120 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4, 120 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4, 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 1 MB | 2 MB (dual-bank) | 256 KB | 1 MB |
| SRAM | 128 KB | 160 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB |
| Ethernet MAC | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (SAM4C series) |
| Supply Voltage | 1.62 V to 3.6 V | 1.62 V to 3.6 V | 1.62 V to 3.6 V | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated Ethernet MAC (vs ATSAM4C16CB-AU)
- Double the Flash for code headroom (vs ATSAM4E8CA-AU)
- Cost-optimized same-footprint option exists (vs ATSAM4E8CA-AU)
Design Notes
Power the ATSAM4E16CA-AN from a clean 3.3 V rail within the 1.62 V to 3.6 V datasheet range; the 1.2 V core domain is regulated on-chip, so do not inject external voltage onto VDDCORE pins. Distributor parametric data lists 1.2 V/2.5 V/3.3 V domains - follow the SAM4E datasheet pin-by-pin supply table for VDDIO, VDDCORE, VDDPLL, and VDDA groupings, each with its own 100 nF plus bulk decoupling. Place a 10 uF bulk capacitor near each supply group entry point on the PCB.
For the 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) footprint, escape the 0.5 mm pitch leads with 0.25 mm traces and place decoupling capacitors on the opposite side of the board directly under the package. The Ethernet MAC signals (RMII/MII to the external PHY) should be length-matched within a few centimeters and kept away from the 12/48 MHz crystal traces. Use a solid ground plane and connect the PHY magnetics per the PHY vendor reference design (e.g., KSZ8081 evaluation schematics) to pass EMC testing.
Microchip explicitly notes on the product page that for new designs they 'highly recommend to consider Revision B for prototypes and production' - check the die revision marking when receiving stock and when qualifying alternates such as the ATSAM4SD32CA or ATSAM4E8CA, whose peripheral multiplexing tables differ subtly. Also verify suffix meaning: -AN (this part, tray) vs -AU differ in packing, not silicon; ordering the wrong suffix can strand a reel-fed assembly line.
Compliance Information
Distributor snippets indicate 'LQFPGREENEXT' packaging (green/lead-free family packaging designation per Mouser), but explicit RoHS/REACH certificates were not present in the verified data and are marked unknown.