ATSAM4E8CA-AN - 120MHz Cortex-M4 MCU 512KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4E8CA-AN ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.92 | $8.92 |
| 10 | $8.11 | $81.10 |
| 100 | $7.35 | $735.00 |
| 500 | $6.68 | $3,340.00 |
| 1,000 | $6.05 | $6,050.00 |
ATSAM4E8CA-AN Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single integrated circuit that combines a processor core, memory, and programmable peripherals into one chip, forming the lowest layer of the embedded systems hierarchy: MCU -> embedded processor -> ARM Cortex-M family -> system-on-chip. The SAM4E series belongs to Microchip (formerly Atmel) SMART ARM-based MCU portfolio, which targets connectivity, control, and sensing applications.
Key features include an ARM Cortex-M4 core with hardware floating point unit (FPU), a high data bandwidth bus architecture, and a rich peripheral set including Ethernet MAC, USB, CAN, and high-speed ADC channels. The 120 MHz operating frequency with single-cycle FPU makes this part suited for motor control and communications tasks that require deterministic math performance.
Technically, the ATSAM4E8CA-AN operates from a 1.2V core / 3.3V I/O supply domain per distributor specification data, uses gull-wing terminals in a square LQFP body, and is rated for industrial temperature applications. The 512 KB Flash array supports in-system programming, and the peripheral DMA controller offloads data movement from the CPU, improving real-time behavior in communication-heavy designs.
Typical applications include industrial automation controllers, Ethernet-connected sensor nodes, motor control drives, and building management systems where a Cortex-M4 with integrated Ethernet removes the need for an external MAC.
A key design consideration: verify Flash sizing against firmware roadmap. If code growth is expected, the pin-compatible 1 MB ATSAM4E16CA variants in the same 100-pin LQFP footprint provide a low-risk upgrade path without PCB rework.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, design notes, and cross-reference guidance not found on the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4E8CA-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 ATSAM4E8CA-AN (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Processor, Flash Memory, Package, Temperature Grade.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4E8CA-AU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$7.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4E16CA-AU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4E16CA-CU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$6.68 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4E8CB-CN
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$6.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4SD32CA-AU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4E8CA-AN Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Core Size | 32-Bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 512 KB (512K x 8) |
| Series | SAM4E |
| Supply Voltage (Vcc/Vdd) | 1.2 V / 3.3 V |
| Number of Pins | 100 |
| Package | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) |
| Terminal Form | Gull Wing |
| Package Shape | Square |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Package Code | LQFP (LFQFP) |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial |
| FPU | Yes (hardware floating point unit) |
| Packaging Option (-AN suffix) | Tray |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (LQFP GREEN package per distributor listing) |
| Program Memory Type | FLASH |
ATSAM4E8CA-AN lqfp (lfqfp) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4E8CA-AN (lqfp (lfqfp) 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 ATSAM4E8CA-AN.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4E8CA-AN is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Ethernet-Connected Controllers, Motor Control Drives, Building Automation and HVAC Nodes, Data Acquisition and Sensing Systems, Embedded Gateways and Protocol Converters, Test and Measurement Instrumentation.
Industrial Ethernet-Connected Controllers
The ATSAM4E8CA-AN fits industrial controller designs because its integrated 10/100 Ethernet MAC removes the need for an external controller chip, while the 120 MHz Cortex-M4 with FPU handles protocol stacks and control loops concurrently. Per Microchip's SAM4E family description, the high data bandwidth bus architecture sustains simultaneous Ethernet, USB, and peripheral DMA traffic without CPU bottlenecking. In a typical node, the MCU services a TCP/IP or industrial protocol stack while a peripheral DMA controller moves ADC and UART data in the background, preserving deterministic response times. The 512 KB Flash accommodates a full IPv4/IPv6 or Modbus TCP stack with OTA update headroom; if dual-image OTA is required, the drop-in 1 MB ATSAM4E16CA upgrade avoids PCB rework.
Recommended
Motor Control Drives
For motor control, the ATSAM4E8CA-AN provides the deterministic math performance that field-oriented control (FOC) demands: the Cortex-M4 hardware FPU executes single-cycle floating-point multiply-accumulate operations at 120 MHz, closing current-loop bandwidths typical of BLDC and PMSM drives. Per Microchip's SAM4E product description, the floating point unit and high data bandwidth architecture are explicit design targets of this family. The PWM timers, high-speed ADC channels, and peripheral DMA work together so that current sampling and PWM updates occur without CPU intervention each cycle. Industrial temperature rating supports drive environments, and the 100-pin LQFP exposes sufficient GPIO for gate drivers, protection comparators, and encoder feedback interfaces on a single footprint.
Recommended
Building Automation and HVAC Nodes
The ATSAM4E8CA-AN suits building automation endpoints that must support networked communication, analog sensing, and local control simultaneously. Its integrated Ethernet MAC plus CAN peripheral covers both BACnet/IP style backbones and legacy CAN-based fieldbus segments, reducing bill-of-materials complexity versus an MCU plus external MAC combination. Distributor data confirms industrial temperature grade, appropriate for rooftop units and mechanical rooms. With 512 KB Flash, a combined protocol stack, web server, and control firmware fits comfortably, and the 120 MHz Cortex-M4 with FPU executes PID loops and sensor linearization with margin. The peripheral DMA offloads multiple UART channels used for RS-485 metering buses, keeping interrupt latency low for time-critical control tasks.
Recommended
Data Acquisition and Sensing Systems
In distributed data acquisition systems, the ATSAM4E8CA-AN acts as a per-node aggregator: its high-speed ADC channels digitize sensor inputs while the peripheral DMA streams conversion results to SRAM or communication peripherals without CPU loading. The 128 KB SRAM class buffer holds burst records between network transmissions, and the 120 MHz Cortex-M4 performs filtering, scaling, and compression in real time. Per the SAM4E family architecture notes, the high data bandwidth bus is specifically designed for concurrent peripheral-to-memory traffic of this kind. The 100-pin LQFP provides the analog reference, GPIO, and communication pin population needed for multi-channel input boards, and 512 KB Flash supports field-updatable calibration tables and logging firmware.
Recommended
Embedded Gateways and Protocol Converters
Protocol conversion between Ethernet, CAN, USB, and serial buses is a natural fit for the ATSAM4E8CA-AN because all four interfaces are integrated on-chip, per Microchip's SAM4E connectivity-oriented family definition. The dual-bank-capable 512 KB Flash (with the 1 MB drop-in sibling available) stores two protocol stacks plus a bootloader, and the 120 MHz Cortex-M4 sustains line-rate translation between 10/100 Ethernet and 1 Mbit CAN. The peripheral DMA controller copies frames between peripherals and SRAM buffers while the CPU executes parsing logic, and the FPU accelerates any timestamping or scaling math. Industrial temperature rating and gull-wing LQFP assembly fit standard industrial SMT processes without special handling.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
Benchtop and portable test instruments benefit from the ATSAM4E8CA-AN's combination of a 120 MHz FPU-equipped core for DSP-style processing, USB for PC connectivity, and Ethernet for remote instrument control. The high data bandwidth architecture lets ADC sample streams move to SRAM via DMA while the user interface and communication stacks run concurrently, per Microchip's SAM4E design targets. The 512 KB Flash holds acquisition firmware, calibration constants, and a USB/Ethernet command parser; designs needing waveform capture growth can drop in the pin-compatible ATSAM4E16CA without PCB changes. The 100-pin LQFP exposes ample GPIO for front-panel controls, display interfaces, and relay switching, and industrial temperature grade covers harsh field-deployed instruments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4E8CA-AN — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4E8CA-AU | ATSAM4E16CA-AU | ATSAM4E16CA-CU | ATSAM4E8CB-CN | ATSAM4SD32CA-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 | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core | ARM Cortex-M4, 120 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4, 120 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4, 120 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4, 120 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4, 120 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4, 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 512 KB | 512 KB | 1 MB | 1 MB | 512 KB | 2 MB (dual 1 MB banks) |
| FPU | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pin Compatibility | Reference (100-pin LQFP) | Pin-to-pin, same footprint | Pin-to-pin, same footprint | Pin-to-pin, same footprint | Pin-to-pin, same footprint | Same footprint, verify peripheral mux |
| 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 | 1.2 V core / 3.3 V I/O |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest-cost entry point of the drop-in SAM4E 100-LQFP family (vs ATSAM4E16CA-AU)
- Integrated Ethernet MAC on the base silicon (vs ATSAM4SD32CA-AU)
- Hardware FPU at 120 MHz (vs Cortex-M0/M3 class MCUs in same footprint class)
Design Notes
The SAM4E family uses separated VDDCORE (1.2 V class) and VDDIO (3.3 V) supply domains per distributor specification data. Place 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitors at every power pin pair plus one bulk 4.7-10 uF capacitor per rail, and follow the SAM4E datasheet power-supply section for exact permitted ranges, sequencing, and brown-out detector configuration. Estimated: with a typical 40 mA core-rail operating current at 120 MHz, core-rail dissipation is roughly 48 mW - the dominant thermal contribution comes from I/O loading, so budget for worst-case simultaneous GPIO switching in your power estimate.
For the 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) footprint, use a standard 0.5 mm pitch land pattern and fan out with 0.2 mm traces where possible. Route the Ethernet RMII/MII traces from the integrated MAC to the PHY (e.g., KSZ8081RNB) as a matched-length group and keep the 50 MHz RMII reference clock short and direct. Follow Microchip's SAM4E Xplained Pro reference design for PHY magnetics placement and crystal layout; the Ethernet PHY section in particular should follow the PHY vendor's layout guide to pass EMC pre-compliance on first spin.
Three pitfalls recur on SAM4E designs. First, firmware written for the 512 KB ATSAM4E8CA will run on the pin-compatible 1 MB ATSAM4E16CA, but linker scripts must be updated - do not assume binary compatibility of the image placement. Second, peripheral pin multiplexing on the 100-pin LQFP spans four GPIO ports; always verify assignments against the datasheet signal multiplexing tables before routing, not after. Third, Microchip notes on the ATSAM4E8C product page that Revision B is highly recommended for new prototypes and production - check your order code revision.
Compliance Information
Distributor listings identify the package as 'LQFP GREEN', Microchip's RoHS-compliant, halogen-free, lead-free green molding compound designation. REACH and conflict-minerals declarations must be obtained from Microchip material declaration sheets.