ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR - 48MHz Cortex-M4 MCU, 128KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.97 | $5.97 |
| 10 | $5.55 | $55.50 |
| 100 | $5.1 | $510.00 |
| 500 | $4.7 | $2,350.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.35 | $4,350.00 |
ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR Overview
A microcontroller unit (MCU) is a single-chip embedded computer combining a processor core, memory, and peripherals. Within the power-management hierarchy, low-power MCUs like the SAM4L sit at the heart of battery-powered and energy-harvesting systems, where sleep-mode current and wake-up latency directly determine battery life. The SAM4L family is Microchip's (formerly Atmel's) ultra-low-power Cortex-M4 line optimized for sleepwalking peripherals and fast context restoration.
Key differentiating features of the ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR include the 48 MHz Cortex-M4 core with DSP instructions and hardware crypto capability, 128KB of embedded flash, industrial temperature qualification, and green (RoHS-oriented) packaging. The MRL designation indicates Microchip's multi-market reel labeling; the "B" suffix denotes the cache-equipped device variant. Its peripheral set and low-power modes allow systems to keep data acquisition running while the CPU sleeps, using the sleepwalking feature to wake only when data is ready.
Technically, the device leverages the ARM Cortex-M4 32-bit RISC architecture with a nested vectored interrupt controller and an efficient flash accelerator, achieving near-zero-wait-state execution at 48 MHz. The ultra-low active current of 90 uA/MHz stems from Microchip's low-leakage process and fine-grained clock gating; sleep modes down to 1.5 uA retain SRAM and register context, and wake-up in 1.5 us makes intermittent operation practical for event-driven designs.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor nodes, energy metering, portable medical devices, and industrial data loggers, where the 1.5 us wake-up enables servicing sporadic events without maintaining high current draw. The hardware crypto supports secure IoT nodes.
Design consideration: power budget calculations should weight active-mode uA/MHz against duty cycle; a system waking every second for a few milliseconds of 48 MHz computation averages microamps, so minimizing wake-up frequency dominates battery life.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-family alternatives, and practical low-power design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR — 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 ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, Series, Supply Voltage, Core Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.25 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4LC4BA-AU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4LC2BA-AU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4LC2CA-AUR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$3.61 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR 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 | 1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V |
| Active Mode Current | 90 uA/MHz |
| Sleep Mode Current | 1.5 uA |
| Wake-up Time | Down to 1.5 us |
| Series | SAM4L |
| Security Feature | Crypto (hardware cryptography) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Package / Case | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) |
| Operating Temperature | Industrial temp range |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (TR) |
| Packaging Color Code | Green (GREEN, MRL A) |
| Supplier Device Package | 64-TQFP |
ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR 64-tqfp Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR (64-tqfp 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 ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Energy Metering, Portable Medical Devices, Industrial Data Loggers, Wearable and Handheld Devices, Secure Access and Authentication Terminals.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR fits wireless sensor nodes where average current, not peak performance, determines battery life. Its 90 uA/MHz active current and 1.5 uA sleep current allow aggressive duty cycling: a node that wakes from sleep in 1.5 us, samples a sensor, computes for a few milliseconds at 48 MHz, and returns to sleep achieves microamp-scale average consumption from a coin cell. The hardware crypto engine secures over-the-air keys and encrypted uplinks without the energy cost of software cryptography. Combined with a low-quiescent-current regulator and a sub-GHz or BLE radio module, the SAM4L's sleepwalking peripherals can accumulate ADC samples while the CPU sleeps, waking only to process complete datasets - often cutting active duty cycles below 1% and enabling multi-year battery service.
Recommended
Energy Metering
Energy meters require continuous, accurate ADC sampling of voltage and current channels plus long service life on battery-backed or limited supplies. The ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR's industrial temperature qualification and 1.8V/2.5V/3.3V supply options let it run directly from meter auxiliaries, while its 1.5 us wake-up supports event-driven processing of load-profile records without keeping the core active. SAM4L sleepwalking peripherals can buffer metering samples autonomously, and the 128KB flash stores calibration tables and tariff data. Hardware crypto supports DLMS/COSEM-style secure communication layers. The 10x10 mm 64-TQFP provides enough GPIO for display drivers, tamper switches, and communication interfaces (optical, UART, PLC modem) within a compact meter PCB, and the same footprint accepts the 256KB ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR if firmware grows.
Recommended
Portable Medical Devices
Battery-operated medical devices such as glucose meters, pulse oximeters, and portable diagnostic monitors benefit from the ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR's low power and fast wake-up. A device that sleeps at 1.5 uA between patient measurements preserves battery across shifts, and the 1.5 us wake-up delivers instant-on response when the clinician presses a button. The 48 MHz Cortex-M4 with DSP instructions handles signal processing such as filtering of biopotential or photoplethysmography waveforms. The hardware crypto helps protect patient data in transit, supporting health-data privacy requirements. The industrial temperature range covers storage and transport conditions, and the widely available 64-TQFP package simplifies assembly for regulated production lines that need consistent, documented sourcing from Microchip and its distribution network.
Recommended
Industrial Data Loggers
Factory-floor and process data loggers sample temperature, pressure, and vibration sensors continuously but compute infrequently, matching the ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR's profile exactly. Sleepwalking ADC and peripheral event system operation allows scheduled sampling while the CPU sleeps, logging into SRAM or serial flash and waking at 1.5 us intervals to time-stamp and compress records. The 128KB flash retains calibration constants, configuration, and a rolling record buffer; the 256KB ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR is drop-in available when logging capacity must grow. Industrial temperature qualification suits unconditioned cabinets and rooftop installations, and the 3.3V operation integrates with standard industrial sensor and RS-485 transceiver rails. Crypto hardware enables authenticated firmware and config uploads over plant networks.
Recommended
Wearable and Handheld Devices
Wearables and handheld instruments demand the smallest possible average power draw and responsive user interfaces. The ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR's 1.5 uA sleep current lets a wearable sit idle between gesture or button events, and its 1.5 us wake-up renders button presses and sensor interrupts with no perceptible latency. The Cortex-M4 core at 48 MHz drives segment or small TFT displays and executes filtering and UI logic, while sleepwalking timers maintain haptic or backlight PWM during sleep. Supply operation at 1.8V allows direct connection to single-cell Li-Ion rails through a buck converter, reducing conversion-stage count. The 10x10 mm 64-TQFP offers abundant GPIO for sensors, buttons, and chargers while remaining hand-assemblable for prototyping and mid-volume production.
Recommended
Secure Access and Authentication Terminals
Access-control readers, secure tokens, and authentication terminals need both connectivity and tamper-resistant key handling. The ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR's hardware crypto accelerates challenge-response protocols and encrypted credential storage, offloading the CPU and shortening the time the system must remain in power-hungry active mode - important for battery-backed readers. The 48 MHz Cortex-M4 handles USB, UART, or RFID-frontend communication, while the 1.5 us wake-up keeps the reader dormant between card presentations. 128KB flash stores bootloader, application, and key-derivation code, and the pin-compatible 256KB ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR upgrades capacity for larger protocol stacks without PCB changes. Industrial qualification supports outdoor and unconditioned installation sites.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR | ATSAM4LC4BA-AU | ATSAM4LC2BA-AU | ATSAM4LC2CA-AUR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / Clock | 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 | 256KB | 256KB | 128KB | 128KB |
| Active Mode Current | 90 uA/MHz | 90 uA/MHz (same family) | 90 uA/MHz (same family) | 90 uA/MHz (same family) | 90 uA/MHz (same family) |
| Sleep Mode Current | 1.5 uA | 1.5 uA (same family) | 1.5 uA (same family) | 1.5 uA (same family) | 1.5 uA (same family) |
| Wake-up Time | Down to 1.5 us | Down to 1.5 us (same family) | Down to 1.5 us (same family) | Down to 1.5 us (same family) | Down to 1.5 us (same family) |
| Packaging Option | Tape & Reel (AUR) | Tape & Reel | Tray | Tray | Tape & Reel |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest power envelope in its Cortex-M4 class (vs ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR)
- Same footprint flash-size flexibility (vs ATSAM4LC4BA-AU)
- Hardware crypto integrated (vs Generic non-crypto Cortex-M4 MCUs)
Design Notes
Budget battery life from duty cycle, not peak specs. With 90 uA/MHz active current and 1.5 uA sleep, a logger that wakes every second, runs 5 ms at 48 MHz, then sleeps, averages roughly 0.5 uA compute plus sleep current plus peripheral overhead. Use the SAM4L sleepwalking peripherals (ADC, USART) so the core sleeps during sampling; each avoided CPU wake saves both the 1.5 us wake-up energy and the peripheral reconfiguration cost. Keep unused GPIO as grounded outputs rather than floating inputs to eliminate shoot-through leakage.
Provide solid decoupling on all VDD/VDDIO pins: place 100 nF ceramic capacitors within 2 mm of each supply pin pair plus one bulk capacitor per supply domain, per the SAM4L datasheet power distribution guidance. The 64-TQFP has supply pins distributed on multiple sides, so use an internal ground plane and short, wide VDD traces. The exposed geometry of a 10x10 mm TQFP does not require a thermal pad, but solid ground stitching around the oscillator and analog pins reduces jitter and ADC noise.
The suffix code matters: AUR is tape-and-reel, AU is tray - they are the same die but different packaging for the assembly line. Also note that the LC2B has 128KB flash; compilers with -O0 builds plus a crypto stack can exceed it, so verify link-map headroom before committing. When substituting ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR for extra flash, confirm the flash accelerator/cache settings match, and check the SAM4L errata sheet for the specific device revision before relying on low-power mode behavior at temperature extremes.
Compliance Information
Mouser and DigiKey list the part as GREEN packaging (indicating green/lead-free-oriented packaging) with MRL A labeling; explicit RoHS/REACH certificates were not present in the verified data - confirm on Microchip's official product page.
