ATSAM4E16CA-CUR - 120MHz Cortex-M4 MCU 1MB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4E16CA-CUR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $10.38 | $10.38 |
| 10 | $9.55 | $95.50 |
| 100 | $8.72 | $872.00 |
| 500 | $8.1 | $4,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $7.48 | $7,480.00 |
ATSAM4E16CA-CUR Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single integrated circuit that combines a processor core, program memory, data memory, and a rich set of peripherals into one chip, forming the complete embedded controller at the heart of an electronic system. Within the MCU hierarchy, the SAM4E family sits in the high-performance 32-bit tier, above 8-bit MCUs such as the PIC16 series and below application processors, and is commonly deployed in industrial control, consumer products, and connectivity equipment.
Key differentiating features include the ARM Cortex-M4 core with an integrated Floating Point Unit (FPU), DSP instructions, and Thumb-2 instruction set, which enable efficient signal processing and math-heavy firmware. The 2 KB cache increases effective memory bandwidth, and the Memory Protection Unit (MPU) supports robust, partitioned firmware architectures. The 1 MB Flash supports complex application images, while the 100-TFBGA (9x9) footprint delivers high I/O density in a compact surface-mount package.
Technically, the SAM4E architecture combines a high data bandwidth bus matrix with the 120 MHz Cortex-M4, allowing Flash execution, DMA transfers, and peripheral activity to proceed concurrently. The DSP instructions accelerate filter algorithms, while the hardware FPU eliminates costly software floating-point emulation in control loops, motor control algorithms, and sensor fusion calculations.
Typical applications include industrial automation controllers, motor drives, and embedded networking equipment, where the combination of 120 MHz processing, FPU math capability, and 1 MB program memory matches demanding control and communication workloads.
For design, note that the -CUR suffix denotes Tape and Reel packaging and an industrial temperature grade; Microchip recommends Revision B material for new prototypes and production per the product page notice. Plan the power and clocking scheme for the 120 MHz operating point using the manufacturer datasheet.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the SAM4E and related SAM4 families, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4E16CA-CUR — 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-CUR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Processor, Package, Maximum Clock Frequency, Series, Flash Memory Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4E16CA-CU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$6.68 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4SA16CA-CUR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4N16CA-CUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.58 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4E8CA-CUR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$3.24 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4N8CA-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4E16CA-CUR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Core Size | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 1 MB (1M x 8) |
| SRAM | 128 KB |
| Cache | 2 KB |
| Floating Point Unit | Yes (FPU) |
| Memory Protection Unit | Yes (MPU) |
| DSP Instructions | Yes |
| Instruction Set | Thumb-2 |
| Supply Voltage | 1.2 V / 3.3 V |
| Package | 100-TFBGA (9x9 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Number of Terminals | 100 |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (T/R) |
| Series | SAM4E |
ATSAM4E16CA-CUR 100-tfbga (9x9 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4E16CA-CUR (100-tfbga (9x9 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-CUR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4E16CA-CUR is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation Controllers, Motor Drives and Motion Control, Embedded Networking Equipment, Data Acquisition and Test Instrumentation, Smart Energy Meters, IoT Gateways and Sensor Hubs.
Industrial Automation Controllers
The ATSAM4E16CA-CUR fits industrial PLC I/O modules and machine controllers because its 120 MHz Cortex-M4 core with hardware FPU executes PID control loops and floating-point scaling calculations without software emulation overhead, while 1 MB Flash accommodates RTOS images plus communication stacks. The 2 KB cache and high-bandwidth bus matrix keep deterministic DMA transfers and peripheral servicing concurrent with firmware execution. Placed as the main controller with industrial transceivers on its UART/SPI peripherals, it delivers the compute headroom needed for real-time fieldbus response; its industrial temperature grade matches cabinet environments from -40C to +85C-class conditions per Microchip ordering data.
Recommended
Motor Drives and Motion Control
Motor control benefits directly from the Cortex-M4 DSP instructions and single-cycle FPU of the ATSAM4E16CA-CUR: field-oriented control (FOC) requires fast sine/cosine evaluation and multiply-accumulate operations that the hardware executes in single cycles at 120 MHz, enabling high loop rates for BLDC and PMSM drives. The 128 KB SRAM holds current-loop history, trajectory buffers, and commutation tables, while the MPU allows safety-critical current-loop code to be partitioned from user firmware. With a gate driver on its PWM outputs, the device closes current loops in the tens-of-microseconds range required by servo-class drives, per the SAM4E architecture's DSP capability.
Recommended
Embedded Networking Equipment
The SAM4E family is explicitly targeted at connectivity and networking applications, and the ATSAM4E16CA-CUR provides the 120 MHz throughput and 128 KB SRAM needed to sustain Ethernet frame processing alongside application logic. The Thumb-2 instruction set and 2 KB cache improve code density and fetch bandwidth for protocol stack firmware, while 1 MB Flash stores dual-bank images for in-field firmware updates. Used as a network coprocessor or node controller with an external Ethernet PHY, the MCU handles TCP/IP offload tasks and sensor aggregation; the 100-TFBGA (9x9 mm) package keeps the footprint small on dense line cards and IoT gateways.
Recommended
Data Acquisition and Test Instrumentation
In DAQ nodes and portable test instruments, the ATSAM4E16CA-CUR's DSP instructions accelerate FIR/IIR filtering and FFT computation on sampled waveforms at 120 MHz, while the hardware FPU converts and scales raw ADC codes in engineering units without fixed-point libraries. The 1 MB Flash buffers calibration tables, logging firmware, and USB mass-storage code, and the 128 KB SRAM sustains large sample windows. Connected to external high-resolution ADCs over SPI or parallel interfaces with DMA, the device streams continuous acquisition data to USB or Ethernet; the MPU enables privilege separation between the acquisition kernel and analysis firmware for measurement integrity.
Recommended
Smart Energy Meters
Smart metering is a classic SAM4E application: the ATSAM4E16CA-CUR's FPU performs RMS accumulation, phase correction, and energy integration in native floating point at 120 MHz, meeting metering accuracy classes with deterministic latency. DSP instructions accelerate harmonic analysis of current and voltage waveforms for power-quality features, while 1 MB Flash retains firmware, tariff tables, and event logs, and 128 KB SRAM supports DLMS/COSEM-class protocol stacks. With the MCP3901-class metrology ADC sampled through its serial peripherals, the MCU computes active/reactive energy continuously; the industrial temperature grade suits outdoor meter enclosures across wide climate ranges.
Recommended
IoT Gateways and Sensor Hubs
For IoT gateways that aggregate multiple sensor buses, the ATSAM4E16CA-CUR combines enough CPU bandwidth (120 MHz Cortex-M4) to run protocol translation between RS-485, CAN, and wireless module AT-interfaces, with sufficient memory (1 MB Flash / 128 KB SRAM) for buffering during intermittent uplinks. The bus matrix lets DMA service multiple UARTs and SPI ports concurrently without CPU contention, and the FPU handles sensor fusion and filtering locally before transmission, reducing cloud-side compute. Its green LFBGA industrial packaging per Mouser data supports always-on edge hardware, and dual-bank firmware update strategies fit within the 1 MB Flash for secure over-the-air maintenance.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4E16CA-CUR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4E16CA-CU | ATSAM4SA16CA-CUR | ATSAM4N16CA-CUR | ATSAM4E8CA-CUR | ATSAM4N8CA-CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 100-TFBGA (9x9) | 100-TFBGA (9x9) - same | TFBGA-100 - same | 100-TFBGA (9x9) - same | 100-TFBGA (9x9) - same | 100-TFBGA - same |
| Core | ARM Cortex-M4 (FPU, DSP) | ARM Cortex-M4 (FPU, DSP) | ARM Cortex-M4 | ARM Cortex-M4 | ARM Cortex-M4 (FPU, DSP) | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Max Clock Speed | 120 MHz | 120 MHz | 120 MHz | 120 MHz | 120 MHz | 120 MHz |
| Series Peripheral Focus | SAM4E (connectivity/industrial) | SAM4E - same | SAM4S - general purpose | SAM4N - low power | SAM4E - same peripheral set | SAM4N - low power |
| Packaging Option | Tape & Reel (CUR) | Tray (CU) | Tape & Reel (CUR) | Tape & Reel (CUR) | Tape & Reel (CUR) | Tray (CU) |
Key Differentiators
- Hardware FPU and DSP instructions at 120 MHz (vs ATSAM3U1CB-CU)
- 1 MB Flash / 128 KB SRAM in the same footprint family (vs ATSAM4N8CA-CU)
- SAM4E connectivity-oriented peripheral set (vs ATSAM4N16CA-CUR)
Design Notes
Order the correct silicon revision: Microchip's ATSAM4E16C product page explicitly recommends Revision B material for new prototypes and production. When buying ATSAM4E16CA-CUR inventory from brokers or excess channels (e.g., Microchip USA's excess inventory listings), specify the latest date code and revision in writing, since early-revision parts may carry errata that affect peripheral behavior. Confirm the -CUR industrial-grade suffix matches your temperature requirement before accepting substitute stock.
The 100-ball TFBGA (9x9 mm) uses fine-pitch balls; plan the PCB with microvia or via-in-pad fanout per the SAM4E datasheet package drawing, and verify the exact ballout against the official 100-pin TFBGA ballmap rather than copying layouts from smaller SAM3/SAM4S LQFP designs. Keep power/ground ball pairs served by adjacent plane vias, and decouple each supply ball with 100 nF ceramics placed as close as routing allows. Obtain Microchip's CAD symbol/footprint (linked on DigiKey/Mouser pages) to avoid land-pattern errors.
The ATSAM4E16CA-CUR operates from 1.2 V / 3.3 V supplies per distributor specification data. The 1.2 V core rail should be generated from the 3.3 V rail with a low-noise regulator or provided per the SAM4E reference power architecture, with soft-start sequencing respecting the datasheet power-up requirements. Budget core current at the 120 MHz operating point from the datasheet power-consumption tables (estimate; not stated in the source data provided here), and use the internal voltage regulator option only if your supply-noise budget allows it.
Compliance Information
Mouser describes the part as 'LFBGAGREENIND' - Microchip green (lead-free, halogen-free) LFBGA industrial packaging, consistent with RoHS compliance. REACH and conflict-minerals certificates not present in provided data; request formal compliance documents from Microchip.
