ATSAM4E8CB-CN - Cortex-M4 MCU 120MHz 512KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4E8CB-CN β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9.85 | $9.85 |
| 10 | $8.95 | $89.50 |
| 100 | $7.9 | $790.00 |
| 500 | $7.1 | $3,550.00 |
| 1,000 | $6.45 | $6,450.00 |
ATSAM4E8CB-CN Overview
A microcontroller unit (MCU) is a single-chip computer that combines a processor core, memory, and peripherals on one die. Within the semiconductor hierarchy, the SAM4E8C belongs to the ARM Cortex-M4-based flash MCU family, positioned above simple 8-bit MCUs (such as PIC16 devices) and within the broader class of embedded processors and power-management-oriented system-on-chip devices. The ARM Cortex-M4 core provides a 3-stage pipeline, single-cycle DSP instructions, and a hardware FPU.
Key features include the 120 MHz maximum operating frequency with 2KB branch cache for zero-wait-state flash execution bandwidth, a high data bandwidth bus architecture, single-precision floating point acceleration, and extended temperature operation indicated by the -CN temperature suffix and the TFBGA GREEN extended-temp ordering code reported by distributors. The SAM4E family also integrates a rich peripheral set for connectivity, analog measurement, and advanced timing control.
Architecturally, the device pairs the Cortex-M4 with an ARM AMBA high-bandwidth bus matrix, allowing the core, DMA channels, and peripherals to operate concurrently. The 2KB cache reduces effective flash wait states at 120 MHz, sustaining near-zero-wait-state performance for real-time control loops such as motor control and digital power conversion.
Typical applications include industrial automation and motor control, consumer and embedded systems requiring a 32-bit upgrade path, and connectivity gateways using the family's advanced communication peripherals.
Design consideration: verify Flash density against family variants before layout reuse - the same 100-ball TFBGA footprint serves both the 512KB ATSAM4E8C and the 1024KB ATSAM4E16C, enabling firmware-size headroom migration without PCB changes.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing context, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4E8CB-CN β 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 ATSAM4E8CB-CN (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Flash Memory, Temperature Grade, Package, Core Processor, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4E16CB-CN
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$3.79 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4E8CA-CN
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4E8CB-CU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4E8CB-CN Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4 with FPU |
| Core Size | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 512KB (512K x 8) |
| SRAM | 128KB |
| Cache | 2KB |
| Supply Voltage (Nominal) | 3.3 V |
| Package | 100-TFBGA (9x9 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Temperature Grade | Extended (per -CN suffix / Mouser EXT TEMP listing) |
ATSAM4E8CB-CN 100-tfbga (9x9 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4E8CB-CN (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 ATSAM4E8CB-CN.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4E8CB-CN is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Motor Control, Industrial Automation and PLC I/O, Embedded Connectivity Gateways, Digital Power Conversion, Medical and Diagnostic Instruments, Consumer and IoT Hubs.
Industrial Motor Control
The ATSAM4E8CB-CN fits industrial motor control because its 120 MHz ARM Cortex-M4 core with single-precision FPU executes field-oriented control (FOC) algorithms efficiently, while the 2KB cache sustains near-zero-wait-state flash execution for deterministic control-loop timing. In a typical FOC drive, the MCU samples phase currents via the on-chip ADC, runs Park/Clarke transforms and a PI current loop in floating point, and updates PWM outputs within one control period. The high data bandwidth bus architecture lets DMA move ADC results while the core computes, minimizing interrupt latency and jitter. Extended temperature grading supports drive electronics mounted near motors in hot enclosures.
Recommended
Industrial Automation and PLC I/O
For industrial automation nodes and PLC I/O modules, the ATSAM4E8CB-CN provides a 120 MHz Cortex-M4 with 512KB Flash - enough for protocol stacks and diagnostic firmware - and up to 128KB SRAM for buffers and task stacks. The SAM4E family's advanced connectivity and timing peripherals support fieldbus interfaces, while the high-bandwidth bus matrix keeps communication DMA off the compute path. Extended temperature rating (-CN suffix) matches cabinet-mounted electronics. Using the same TFBGA-100 footprint across ATSAM4E8C and ATSAM4E16C variants lets one PCB design serve both standard and high-feature product tiers, reducing inventory and qualification effort.
Recommended
Embedded Connectivity Gateways
The ATSAM4E8CB-CN suits embedded gateways that bridge serial, USB, or network links to local control logic. Its 120 MHz Cortex-M4 handles packet parsing and protocol translation with headroom, and the 512KB Flash accommodates communication stacks plus an application layer. The 2KB cache improves effective execution bandwidth when code contends with data accesses, and DMA-capable peripherals offload transfer handling from the core. The 100-ball TFBGA (9x9 mm) keeps the solution compact for DIN-rail and panel-mount hardware. Designers needing more code space can migrate to the pin-compatible ATSAM4E16CB-CN without changing the PCB.
Recommended
Digital Power Conversion
In digital power supplies and inverters, control-loop latency determines achievable bandwidth, and the ATSAM4E8CB-CN addresses this with a 120 MHz Cortex-M4 pipeline, single-cycle DSP multiply-accumulate instructions, and an FPU for compensator math. The family's advanced timing and control peripherals generate precisely aligned PWM patterns, while fast ADC sampling plus DMA keeps loop delays minimal. The 3.3V logic domain simplifies interfacing with gate-driver and isolation circuitry. Because the SAM4E bus matrix is non-blocking, interrupt service for the control loop coexists with housekeeping tasks such as telemetry and PMBus-style communication without deadline violations.
Recommended
Medical and Diagnostic Instruments
Benchtop medical and diagnostic instruments benefit from the ATSAM4E8CB-CN's combination of 32-bit compute, analog-friendly peripherals, and ample on-chip memory: 512KB Flash stores calibration tables, UI assets, and acquisition firmware, while 128KB SRAM buffers measurement datasets. The 120 MHz Cortex-M4 with FPU supports digital filtering, FFT-based analysis, and gain normalization in floating point without an external DSP. Its extended temperature grade improves reliability in instruments that run continuously in warm enclosures. The compact 9x9 mm TFBGA conserves board area behind front-panel displays and connector fields in handheld and portable designs.
Recommended
Consumer and IoT Hubs
For consumer devices and IoT hub hardware, the ATSAM4E8CB-CN offers a clear upgrade path from 8-bit PIC controllers: 32-bit Cortex-M4 performance at 120 MHz, hardware FPU for sensor fusion or audio processing, and 512KB Flash for wireless-module management code. The 2KB cache keeps execution efficient from internal flash, avoiding external-memory cost and BOM complexity. The 9x9 mm 100-ball TFBGA balances integration density with rework feasibility for mid-volume production. Extended temperature grading also allows the same design to be reused in semi-industrial consumer products such as smart thermostats and outdoor sensors.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4E8CB-CN β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4E16CB-CN | ATSAM4E8CA-CN | ATSAM4E8CB-CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-TFBGA (9x9 mm) | 100-TFBGA (9x9 mm) - same | 100-TFBGA (9x9 mm) - same family | 100-TFBGA (9x9 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core | ARM Cortex-M4 with FPU, 32-bit | ARM Cortex-M4 with FPU, 32-bit | ARM Cortex-M4 with FPU, 32-bit | ARM Cortex-M4 with FPU, 32-bit |
| Max Clock Frequency | 120 MHz | 120 MHz | 120 MHz | 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 512KB | 1024KB | 512KB | 512KB |
| Supply Voltage (Nominal) | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V |
Key Differentiators
- Hardware floating point unit for control math (vs PIC16F15356-I/ML)
- PCB-reuse migration path to 1MB Flash (vs ATSAM4E16CB-CN)
- 2KB cache for near-zero-wait-state execution (vs ATSAM4E8CB-CU)
Design Notes
The 100-ball TFBGA (9x9 mm) uses a 0.8 mm ball pitch; fan out with via-in-pad or dogbone escapes on a minimum 4-layer stack. Place 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitors within 2 mm of each VDD/VDDIO ball pair, plus bulk 4.7-10 uF per supply domain. Because the ballout multiplexes many functions, confirm ball assignments against the current Microchip datasheet revision before routing - multiplexed pins should be assigned so that high-speed signals (USB, Ethernet, SDRAM if used) get the shortest, matched-length paths.
At 120 MHz, flash wait states are mitigated by the 2KB branch cache, but code placement matters for hard real-time loops: keep the innermost control-loop functions and ISRs in cached regions and consider running performance-critical code from SRAM if jitter measurements show cache-miss spikes. Keep crystal (OSC) traces short and guarded by ground, and route the SWD/JTAG port with a test pad header for in-system programming and debugging of the ATSAM4E8CB-CN in production fixtures.
Ordering-code confusion is a frequent error with this family: 'ATSAM4E8C' is the family name while '-CB-CN' encodes package (100-ball TFBGA) and extended temperature grade - always order the full MPN. Also note Microchip recommends Revision B silicon for new prototypes and production per the product page. Finally, do not assume commercial 0-70C limits for the -CN variant; verify the exact temperature table in the datasheet before derating analysis, and confirm SRAM allocation against the 'up to 128KB' family figure in the memory map chapter.
Compliance Information
Mouser listing references 'TFBGA, GREEN' package coding, which typically indicates Microchip's green/lead-free package initiative, but explicit RoHS/REACH certification statements were not present in the verified data and are therefore marked unknown.
