ATSAM4LC2BA-MUR - 48MHz Cortex-M4 MCU, 128KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4LC2BA-MUR β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.2 | $5.20 |
| 10 | $4.72 | $47.20 |
| 100 | $4.1 | $410.00 |
| 500 | $3.68 | $1,840.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.25 | $3,250.00 |
ATSAM4LC2BA-MUR Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer integrating a processor core, program memory, data memory, and peripherals. The SAM4L family sits in the ARM Cortex-M4 class of 32-bit MCUs, part of the wider microcontroller hierarchy used in embedded systems for low-power sensing, touch interfaces, and USB-connected applications.
Key features include class-leading low-power figures of 90 uA/MHz in active mode and 1.5 uA in sleep mode, wake-up times down to 1.5 us, 21 capacitive touch channels driven by the peripheral touch controller (PTC), a USB 2.0 full-speed device interface, and multiple sleep and backup modes. A hardware AES cryptographic module and an on-board 12-bit ADC and DAC round out the analog and security capabilities.
Technically, the Cortex-M4 core with flexible power-clocked domains allows each peripheral to be individually clocked and power-gated, which is how the ATSAM4LC2BA achieves its industry-low active and sleep consumption while retaining rapid wake-up - critical for duty-cycled battery designs.
Typical applications include battery-powered metering and sensor nodes, capacitive touch user interfaces, USB-connected handheld instruments, and wearable or IoT devices where battery life is the primary design constraint.
Design consideration: because the 64-QFN exposed pad is the main ground and thermal path, ensure the PCB provides a solid ground plane connected to the pad with an array of thermal vias.
This page adds value beyond the datasheet by synthesizing distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the SAM4L family, application guidance, and design notes in one place.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4LC2BA-MUR 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 ATSAM4LC2BA-MUR (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Flash Memory, Supply Voltage, Wake-up Time, Package, Packaging.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4LC4BA-MU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$1 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4LS2BA-MUR
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$5.4 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4LS2AA-MU
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$3.55 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4LC2BA-MU
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4LC2CA-MU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4LC2BA-MUR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Core Size | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 48 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 128 KB (128K x 8) |
| SRAM | 32 KB (32K x 8) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
| Active Mode Current | 90 uA/MHz |
| Sleep Mode Current | 1.5 uA |
| Wake-up Time | 1.5 us (min) |
| Capacitive Touch Channels | 21 channels (PTC) |
| USB Interface | USB 2.0 full-speed device |
| Package | 64-QFN (9x9 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (T/R) |
| AES Crypto Module | Yes (hardware AES) |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit |
| DAC Resolution | 12-bit |
ATSAM4LC2BA-MUR 64-qfn (9x9 mm) with exposed pad Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4LC2BA-MUR (64-qfn (9x9 mm) with exposed pad 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-MUR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4LC2BA-MUR is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Metering and Sensing Nodes, Capacitive Touch User Interfaces, USB-Connected Handheld Instruments, Wearables and Portable Health Devices, IoT Sensor End Nodes, Industrial Control Panels and HMI.
Battery-Powered Metering and Sensing Nodes
The ATSAM4LC2BA-MUR's 90 uA/MHz active current, 1.5 uA sleep current, and 1.5 us wake-up make it a natural fit for battery-operated meters and wireless sensor nodes that must run for years on a coin cell or primary lithium cell. In a typical duty-cycled design, the MCU sleeps between 0.5-10 Hz sampling events, wakes in microseconds, reads the 12-bit ADC, processes the result with Cortex-M4 DSP instructions, and returns to sleep. Because each peripheral can be individually clock-gated, only the ADC and RTC consume power during acquisition. Estimated: sleeping at 1.5 uA for 99% of the time yields an average budget dominated by wake events rather than standby, enabling multi-year battery life.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interfaces
With 21 capacitive touch channels driven by the autonomous peripheral touch controller (PTC), the ATSAM4LC2BA-MUR supports touch buttons, sliders, and wheels without external touch ICs. The PTC scans electrodes while the Cortex-M4 core sleeps, so touch responsiveness does not compromise the 1.5 uA sleep figure - a differentiator versus MCUs that require CPU polling for touch. The 64-QFN (9x9 mm) footprint provides enough GPIO to combine a touch array with segment-free LCD driving or LED feedback. Microchip's QTouch Library and PTC application notes provide certified algorithms for drift compensation and moisture rejection, shortening EMI/sensitivity tuning in plastic-enclosure products such as appliance panels and thermostats.
Recommended
USB-Connected Handheld Instruments
The integrated USB 2.0 full-speed device controller lets the ATSAM4LC2BA-MUR appear as an HID or CDC device to a host PC without an external USB transceiver chip, reducing BOM cost and board area in handheld test and diagnostic instruments. Battery operation is preserved because the USB peripheral can be clock-gated when the cable is unplugged, falling back to the 1.5 uA sleep state. The 12-bit ADC and 12-bit DAC support data-acquisition front ends, while hardware AES secures data sessions. Estimated: a 3000 mAh Li-ion cell powering a 5% duty-cycle sampling loop plus intermittent USB sync can extend operation well beyond a week between charges.
Recommended
Wearables and Portable Health Devices
Wearable designs need the combination of small footprint, low sleep current, and fast wake-up that the SAM4L family delivers. In a fitness band or portable biometric monitor, the ATSAM4LC2BA-MUR wakes in 1.5 us to service accelerometer or optical-sensor interrupts, executes signal processing on the Cortex-M4 core, and returns to sleep, drawing 90 uA/MHz while active. The 1.62V minimum supply allows direct operation from a single partially discharged Li cell through a low-Iq LDO, and the 9x9 mm QFN fits dense flexible PCBs. The 21 touch channels can implement on-device buttons, while hardware AES protects user health data at the firmware level.
Recommended
IoT Sensor End Nodes
For battery-powered IoT endpoints that periodically sample environmental sensors and transmit over sub-GHz or 2.4 GHz radios, the ATSAM4LC2BA-MUR provides the compute (48MHz Cortex-M4 with DSP instructions for filtering and protocol stacks), memory (128KB flash / 32KB SRAM), and duty-cycle-friendly power profile (1.5 uA sleep, 1.5 us wake) needed for long field life. Its multiple backup and sleep modes allow the radio to be the dominant energy consumer while the MCU adds negligible overhead. Hardware AES accelerates encrypted uplinks without CPU-intensive software crypto. Pair with a low-power RF module and a nano-power LDO or buck converter for a multi-year battery node.
Recommended
Industrial Control Panels and HMI
Industrial touch panels and control nodes benefit from the ATSAM4LC2BA-MUR's blend of 21 capacitive touch channels, USB for configuration and firmware updates, and a 1.62-3.6V supply range tolerant of noisy industrial rails via a local regulator. The Cortex-M4 core executes PID loops and Modbus/UART framing at 48MHz with margin, while the 12-bit ADC reads potentiometers and current-shunt signals. Sleep-to-active wake-up in 1.5 us supports event-driven standby compliant with low standby-power requirements. Design the exposed QFN pad into a solid ground plane for EMC in electrically noisy cabinets, and use the hardware AES module for secure field firmware updates over USB.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4LC2BA-MUR β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4LC4BA-MU | ATSAM4LS2BA-MUR | ATSAM4LS2AA-MU | ATSAM4LC2BA-MU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 64-QFN (9x9 mm) | 64-QFN (9x9 mm) - same | 64-QFN (9x9 mm) - same | 64-QFN (9x9 mm) - same | 64-QFN (9x9 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 128 KB | 256 KB | 128 KB | 112 KB | 128 KB |
| Core / Speed | 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 |
| Active Mode Current | 90 uA/MHz | 90 uA/MHz (same family) | Lower (SL ultra-low-power variant) | Lower (SL ultra-low-power variant) | 90 uA/MHz (identical die) |
| Sleep Mode Current | 1.5 uA | 1.5 uA (same family) | Lower (SL variant) | Lower (SL variant) | 1.5 uA (identical die) |
| Packaging Option | Tape & Reel (-MUR) | Tray (-MU) | Tape & Reel (-MUR) | Tray (-MU) | Tray (-MU) |
Key Differentiators
- Class-leading low power for Cortex-M4 class (vs ATSAM4LS2BA-MUR)
- In-footprint flash upgrade path (vs ATSAM4LC4BA-MU)
- Autonomous touch sensing without CPU wake (vs ATSAM4LS2AA-MU)
- Identical die, packaging choice (vs ATSAM4LC2BA-MU)
Design Notes
The 64-QFN exposed pad is the primary ground return and thermal path. Connect it to the PCB ground plane through a 4x4 (or denser) array of 0.3 mm vias on a 1.0-1.2 mm pitch, with a solder-paste window pattern recommended in the SAM4L datasheet to prevent pad floating during reflow. Incomplete exposed-pad soldering is a leading cause of intermittent ground faults and ADC noise on SAM4L designs - verify with X-ray or cross-section on first-article builds.
To realize the 90 uA/MHz active and 1.5 uA sleep figures, the board must support the SAM4L's dynamic power-clocked peripheral scheme: gate clocks to unused peripherals via the Power Manager (PM), use the clock source best suited to each sleep level (OSC32K for backup/sleep, DFLL-fed RCFAST for active), and configure the brown-out detector and BOD33 thresholds appropriately - the BOD adds current. Estimated: a misconfigured always-on BOD and inactive pull-ups can add tens of uA, doubling the sleep figure.
The ATSAM4LC2BA-MUR (-MUR) is the tape-and-reel version of ATSAM4LC2BA-MU (tray); the silicon is identical, so do not pay a premium for both, but do specify the correct packaging suffix for your assembly line. Also note that the -MUR is an Atmel-legacy part number fulfilled partly by Rochester Electronics; confirm date codes and authorized-channel sourcing to avoid counterfeit risk, and validate programming with SAM-BA or Atmel-ICE on receipt.
For the 21 PTC touch channels, route sensor traces short and away from switching loads; keep a guard ground between touch traces and high-current paths. For USB, route D+/D- as a 90-ohm differential pair with length matching within 0.5 mm and place a common-mode choke near the connector if the product targets EMC-heavy industrial environments. Reference Microchip's SAM4L touch and USB application notes for layout templates.
Compliance Information
Part is described as GREEN package in distributor listings (RoHS-compliant, lead-free). REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals status not stated in provided data.
