ATSAM4LC2AA-AU - 48MHz Cortex-M4 MCU, 128KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4LC2AA-AU ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.56 | $5.56 |
| 10 | $5.2 | $52.00 |
| 100 | $4.85 | $485.00 |
| 500 | $4.45 | $2,225.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.05 | $4,050.00 |
ATSAM4LC2AA-AU Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a processor core, memory, and peripherals onto one die, forming the lowest layer of the embedded systems hierarchy (embedded IC -> microcontroller -> ARM Cortex-M MCU -> SAM4L family). The SAM4L series belongs to Microchip's ARM-based flash MCU portfolio, designed for ultra-low-power battery-operated and energy-harvesting systems.
Key features include the 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4 core with 48 MHz maximum frequency, 128KB (128K x 8) flash memory, an integrated segment LCD controller, hardware cryptography accelerators, and USB device/host capability. These features allow the SAM4LC2 to drive displays, secure data, and connect to USB hosts without external components, reducing BOM cost in portable products.
Technically, the device combines the Cortex-M4 processing pipeline with Microchip's low-power peripheral bus architecture and a flexible event system that lets peripherals communicate without CPU intervention. Multiple sleep modes with rapid wake-up, plus dynamic clock gating, make it suitable for duty-cycled applications where average current, not peak performance, dominates battery life. Supply voltage is 3.3 V, typical of industrial and portable logic levels.
Typical applications include battery-powered metering and data loggers, segment-LCD human-machine interfaces, portable medical and wellness devices, and USB-connected sensor nodes. The LCD controller plus low sleep current directly benefits instruments that must show readings continuously on a coin-cell or primary battery.
When designing with this MCU, budget power by exploiting sleep modes and the event system; wake-up from sleep in as little as 1.5 us allows frequent duty cycling without latency penalties. Verify flash and SRAM sizing against code footprint before committing, since the 128KB flash tier is the smallest in parts of this pinout family.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4LC2AA-AU — 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 ATSAM4LC2AA-AU (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Wake-up Time, Package, Core Processor, Flash Memory, Series.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4LS2AA-AU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.39 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4LC4AA-AU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →ATSAM4LS4AA-AU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$5.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4LC2BA-AU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$3.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4LC2AA-AU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Core Size | 32-Bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 128KB (128K x 8) |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V |
| Active Mode Current | 90 uA/MHz |
| Sleep Mode Current | 1.5 uA |
| Wake-up Time | 1.5 us (minimum) |
| Package | 48-TQFP (7x7 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Peripherals | LCD controller, USB device/host, hardware cryptography |
| Series | SAM4L (ATSAM4LC2) |
| Product Status | Active |
ATSAM4LC2AA-AU 48-tqfp (7x7 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4LC2AA-AU (48-tqfp (7x7 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 ATSAM4LC2AA-AU.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4LC2AA-AU is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Utility Metering, Portable Medical and Wellness Devices, USB Sensor Nodes and Data Loggers, Industrial HMI with Segment LCD, Smart Home and IoT Battery Devices, Handheld Test and Measurement Instruments.
Battery-Powered Utility Metering
Electricity, water, and gas meters run for years on primary batteries, so average current is the governing design constraint. The ATSAM4LC2AA-AU's 90 uA/MHz active current and 1.5 uA sleep current allow the meter to wake, sample, compute, and return to sleep within milliseconds thanks to the 1.5 us wake-up time. Its integrated segment LCD controller continuously drives tariff and consumption digits with negligible power, while hardware cryptography secures billing data and firmware. The 48 MHz Cortex-M4 core handles communication stacks and metrology math, and the 128KB flash holds protocol firmware for DLMS/COSEM-class implementations.
Recommended
Portable Medical and Wellness Devices
Glucose meters, pulse oximeters, and health monitors need responsive computation plus long battery life in a small footprint. The ATSAM4LC2AA-AU fits: its 1.5 uA sleep current preserves battery during idle periods between measurements, and the 48 MHz Cortex-M4 with DSP-friendly instructions processes sensor signals quickly, returning to sleep in under a millisecond. The segment LCD controller displays readings and icons without a power-hungry graphic display, and hardware cryptography protects patient data per privacy requirements. The 3.3 V 48-TQFP 7x7 mm package integrates cleanly into handheld enclosures, and USB device mode supports docking and data upload to clinic systems.
Recommended
USB Sensor Nodes and Data Loggers
Industrial and environmental loggers often dock to a PC or USB host for configuration and data offload. The ATSAM4LC2AA-AU includes a USB device/host controller, so one MCU handles both the field sensing task and the USB enumeration and bulk transfers - no external USB interface chip required. Between docking events the device sleeps at 1.5 uA and wakes in 1.5 us on RTC or interrupt triggers to timestamp and store readings. The 128KB flash accommodates the USB stack, file handling, and logging application, while hardware cryptography supports authenticated data. The 48 MHz clock provides ample margin for concurrent acquisition and transfer.
Recommended
Industrial HMI with Segment LCD
Thermostats, panel meters, and control panels need always-on displays with minimal power draw. The ATSAM4LC2AA-AU drives segment LCD glass directly from its integrated LCD controller, eliminating a dedicated display driver IC and its cost. The Cortex-M4 core at 48 MHz executes control loops and communication tasks, while 90 uA/MHz active current keeps duty-cycled operation efficient. Hardware cryptography secures parameter access in commercial equipment, and the 128KB flash stores menus, fonts, and protocol handling. Its 1.5 us wake-up means button presses respond instantly even after deep sleep, delivering a responsive user experience on battery-backed panels.
Recommended
Smart Home and IoT Battery Devices
Wireless sensors, door locks, and remote controls spend over 99% of their life asleep, so sleep current dominates battery lifetime. The ATSAM4LC2AA-AU's 1.5 uA sleep mode and 1.5 us wake-up let the MCU respond to radio interrupts from a connected transceiver with negligible latency. Its hardware cryptography accelerators handle AES encryption for secure mesh or cloud protocols without draining the battery through software crypto loops. The 128KB flash hosts the application plus a lightweight TCP/IP or mesh stack, and the 3.3 V 48-TQFP package suits compact consumer PCBs. USB host mode also enables local configuration via dongles.
Recommended
Handheld Test and Measurement Instruments
Multimeters, environmental meters, and portable testers combine an LCD readout, signal acquisition, and data export in one battery-powered shell. The ATSAM4LC2AA-AU covers all three roles: the segment LCD controller renders readings and annunciators, the 48 MHz Cortex-M4 performs math such as RMS conversion and calibration compensation, and USB connectivity exports logged data. With 90 uA/MHz active current, even sustained measurements remain battery-friendly, and the 1.5 uA sleep mode preserves charge between uses. Hardware cryptography supports calibration-data protection, and 128KB flash holds application code with headroom for future firmware features and field updates.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4LC2AA-AU — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4LS2AA-AU | ATSAM4LC4AA-AU | ATSAM4LS4AA-AU | ATSAM4LC2BA-AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 48-TQFP (7x7 mm) | 48-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 48-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 48-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 48-TQFP (7x7 mm) - B-pinout |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / Max Frequency | ARM Cortex-M4, 48 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4, 48 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4, 48 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4, 48 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4, 48 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 128KB | 128KB | 256KB | 256KB | 128KB |
| Active Mode Current | 90 uA/MHz | 90 uA/MHz | 90 uA/MHz | 90 uA/MHz | 90 uA/MHz |
| Sleep Mode Current | 1.5 uA | 1.5 uA | 1.5 uA | 1.5 uA | 1.5 uA |
| Specialized Peripheral | Segment LCD controller | PTC capacitive touch | Segment LCD controller | PTC capacitive touch | PTC capacitive touch |
| USB + Hardware Crypto | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Hardware segment LCD controller (vs ATSAM4LS2AA-AU)
- Class-leading low power with fast wake (vs ATSAM4LC4AA-AU)
- Integrated USB device/host and hardware crypto (vs ATSAM4LC2BA-AU)
Design Notes
Exploit the SAM4L sleep modes aggressively: at 1.5 uA sleep and 1.5 us wake-up, a duty cycle of 1% active at 48 MHz yields an average current on the order of (0.01 x 48 x 90 uA) ~ 43 uA plus sleep overhead. Estimated from datasheet figures (90 uA/MHz active, 1.5 uA sleep); verify against your actual clock configuration and peripheral loads. Use the event system so peripherals such as the ADC and RTC trigger without waking the CPU for every sample.
The 48-TQFP (7x7 mm) requires a clean power distribution network: place 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitors at each VDD pin pair as close to the package as possible, plus one bulk 4.7-10 uF capacitor per supply domain. Use a solid ground plane under the device. Keep the USB differential pair length-matched and routed over an unbroken ground reference; do not route it under the crystal area.
Do not assume footprint compatibility across SAM4L 48-pin variants: the A-pinout parts (ATSAM4LC2AA, ATSAM4LS2AA) and the B-pinout parts (ATSAM4LC2BA) share the TQFP-48 body but differ in pin multiplexing and peripheral mapping (LCD vs PTC). Confirm the exact pin assignment against the Microchip SAM4L datasheet before reusing a layout, and verify SRAM sizing for your application since flash capacity alone does not guarantee fit.
Compliance Information
Compliance statuses were not stated in the provided web data; consult the Microchip product page environmental data for RoHS/REACH certificates.
