ATSAM4LC2CA-AU - 48MHz Cortex-M4 MCU 128KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4LC2CA-AU β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
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| 1 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 10 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 100 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 500 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 1,000 | $0 | $0.00 |
ATSAM4LC2CA-AU Overview
A microcontroller unit (MCU) is a single-chip embedded processor that combines a CPU core, program memory, data memory, and peripherals on one die. Within the semiconductor hierarchy, the ATSAM4LC2CA-AU is a member of the MCU class: integrated circuit > embedded processor > microcontroller > ARM Cortex-M4 flash MCU. MCUs replace multi-chip CPU-plus-memory solutions in embedded systems where cost, power, and board area dominate.
Key differentiating features include hardware cryptography (AES, DES, triple-DES accelerator), an integrated segment LCD controller, USB host and device support, 16-channel DMAC for autonomous data transfers, and an extensive peripheral set: 7 timers, 4 comparators, 4 USARTs, and 4 TWI (I2C) interfaces, plus multiple SPI ports. The peripheral event system lets peripherals communicate without CPU intervention, further reducing active-mode energy.
Architecturally, the Cortex-M4 core provides a 3-stage pipeline, single-cycle MAC, and DSP-oriented instructions. Microchip's picoPower techniques, multi-layer bus matrix, and sleepwalking peripherals (which operate while the CPU sleeps) enable battery-powered designs with multi-year battery life. The integrated hardware crypto engine offloads AES/DES encryption without software overhead, valuable for secure IoT nodes.
Typical applications include battery-powered metering, portable medical instruments, industrial sensor nodes with segment-LCD displays, and secure connected devices. The LCD controller directly drives glass displays, eliminating an external LCD driver IC.
Design consideration: the SAM4L operates from a 1.62 V to 3.6 V supply; plan brown-out and BOD33 settings early, and use the sleepwalking ADC/USART modes to maximize sleep duty cycle.
This page synthesizes drop-in family alternatives, comparison tables, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, with pricing as of 2026-09-20 available on request.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4LC2CA-AU 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 ATSAM4LC2CA-AU (same form factor and footprint) β differing in RoHS Status, Package, Flash Memory, Wake-up Time, SRAM.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4LC4CA-AU
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$6.65 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4LS2CA-AU
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$3.95 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4LS4CA-AU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4LC2CA-AUR
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$3.61 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4LC2CA-CU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4LC2CA-AU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Core Size | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 128 KB (128K x 8) |
| SRAM | 32 KB |
| Active Mode Current | 90 uA/MHz |
| Sleep Mode Current | 1.5 uA |
| Wake-up Time | 1.5 us (typical, fastest in Cortex-M4 class) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
| DMA Channels | 16 |
| Timers | 7 |
| Comparators | 4 |
| USART | 4 |
| TWI (I2C) Interfaces | 4 |
| Hardware Cryptography | AES, DES, Triple-DES accelerator |
| LCD Controller | Integrated segment LCD controller |
| USB | USB host and device |
| Package | 100-TQFP (14x14 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (GREEN package per Mouser listing) |
ATSAM4LC2CA-AU 100-tqfp (14x14 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4LC2CA-AU (100-tqfp (14x14 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 ATSAM4LC2CA-AU.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4LC2CA-AU is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Utility Metering, Portable Medical Instruments, Industrial Sensor Nodes, Secure IoT End Devices, Human-Machine Interface Panels, Data Loggers and Test Instrumentation.
Battery-Powered Utility Metering
The ATSAM4LC2CA-AU fits electricity, water, and gas meters because it combines a segment LCD controller, hardware AES/DES cryptography, and ultra-low power in one die. The 90 uA/MHz active current and 1.5 uA sleep current let a meter meet multi-year battery budgets, while the 1.5 us wake-up supports rapid response to load-switch or tamper events. In a typical topology, the LCD controller directly drives the tariff display glass, the crypto engine encrypts DLMS/COSEM or M-Bus frames, and the 16-channel DMAC shuttles UART traffic without CPU intervention. Sleepwalking peripherals sample consumption pulses during sleep, so the CPU wakes only for communication windows. The 1.62 V to 3.6 V supply tolerates lithium-thionyl-chloride cell discharge curves directly. The result is a single-chip metering core with fewer BOM lines and no external LCD driver or crypto coprocessor.
Recommended
Portable Medical Instruments
Handheld glucose meters, pulse oximeters, and portable diagnostics benefit from the ATSAM4LC2CA-AU's energy profile: 1.5 uA sleep preserves batteries between measurements, and the 48 MHz Cortex-M4 with single-cycle MAC executes DSP filtering (IIR/FIR on sensor waveforms) in real time. The integrated LCD controller displays readings on segment glass without a driver IC, and the 12-bit ADC with sleepwalking mode performs periodic sampling while the CPU sleeps, cutting average power dramatically versus CPU-polled acquisition. Hardware crypto secures patient-data logging and authenticated pairing with a mobile reader over USB or USART. Four TWI (I2C) interfaces connect multiple front-end sensors such as AFEs and pressure dies. The 100-pin TQFP provides enough GPIO for keypad scanning, buzzer, and indicator LEDs. Designers should budget analog rail filtering, since the same die handles both DSP and display refresh.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Nodes
Factory-floor sensor nodes using 4-20 mA loops, IO-Link, or Modbus RTU leverage the ATSAM4LC2CA-AU's four USARTs and 16-channel DMAC to run protocol stacks with minimal CPU load. The 90 uA/MHz active consumption suits loop-powered or energy-harvesting nodes, and sleep mode at 1.5 uA enables intermittent-report topologies. The Cortex-M4 DSP instructions implement FFT-based vibration analysis locally, sending only trend data upstream - a genuine edge-computing benefit at 48 MHz. Four comparators and seven timers handle threshold alarms and PWM outputs autonomously. Industrial temperature tolerance and a robust 1.62 V to 3.6 V rail accommodate noisy 24 V-system-derived supplies through a buck regulator. The hardware crypto engine authenticates nodes in increasingly secured industrial networks. Use the AST calendar timer for scheduled wake-ups, and route sensor interrupts through the peripheral event system so the CPU never wakes for non-actionable events.
Recommended
Secure IoT End Devices
The ATSAM4LC2CA-AU addresses connected-device security with on-die AES (128/192/256), DES, and triple-DES acceleration, encrypting TLS-record payloads or proprietary links without software cycles or an external crypto chip. USB host and device support covers commissioning and firmware update links; SAM-BA ROM bootloading permits field reprogramming over USB. Combined with 128 KB flash - enough for a lightweight TCP/UDP stack plus application - the device targets smart valves, access panels, and environmental monitors. Sleepwalk mode keeps radio wake timers and sensor sampling alive at 1.5 uA background draw. Four TWI and multiple SPI ports multiplex onto the 100-pin TQFP, connecting sensors and secure elements. Designers should pair the MCU with a certified radio module and store root keys in the flash user page with read protection enabled, since the SAM4L does not include a discrete secure-element key vault.
Recommended
Human-Machine Interface Panels
Control panels and thermostats use the ATSAM4LC2CA-AU's integrated segment LCD controller to drive up to hundreds of segments directly, eliminating external display drivers. The 48 MHz Cortex-M4 handles capacitive-touch or matrix-keypad scanning, buzzer tones via PWM timers, and communication over 4 USARTs (RS-232/485) or TWI to a host controller. QTouch library support enables touch buttons and sliders on the same die. Energy matters in wall-battery thermostats: sleep current of 1.5 uA with periodic LCD refresh keeps the display alive for years. The 100-pin TQFP supplies the GPIO count for backlight control, relays, and LED indicators, while the 16-channel DMAC refreshes frame buffers without CPU cycles. Contrast the LC variant with the LCD-less LS variant when no display is planned. Keep LCD biasing networks on a low-noise analog plane for segment uniformity.
Recommended
Data Loggers and Test Instrumentation
Standalone loggers exploit the ATSAM4LC2CA-AU's sleepwalking ADC, 16-channel DMAC, and 32 KB SRAM to sample multiple channels on schedule while the CPU sleeps, waking only to compress and write records. The AST real-time timer provides calendar-accurate sampling intervals down to uA-level overhead. USB device mode offloads logged data to a PC without a separate bridge IC, and four USARTs accept RS-485 or UART sensor buses. Hardware crypto protects logged data at rest by AES-encrypting records before flash writes. The 128 KB flash stores a logger application plus double-buffered firmware for field updates. Seven timers support frequency counting and pulse-width capture for flow and RPM sensors. For bench instruments, the 48 MHz Cortex-M4 with single-cycle MAC implements menu-driven DSP preview. Size the 3.3 V rail from a low-Iq LDO to keep standby draw dominated by the MCU's 1.5 uA.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4LC2CA-AU β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4LC4CA-AU | ATSAM4LS2CA-AU | ATSAM4LS4CA-AU | ATSAM4LC2CA-AUR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-TQFP (14x14 mm) | 100-TQFP (14x14 mm) - same | 100-TQFP (14x14 mm) - same | 100-TQFP (14x14 mm) - same | 100-TQFP (14x14 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / 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 | 128 KB | 256 KB | 128 KB | 256 KB | 128 KB |
| SRAM | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB |
| LCD Controller | Yes (segment LCD) | Yes (segment LCD) | No | No | Yes (segment LCD) |
| Hardware Crypto (AES/DES) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Active / Sleep Current | 90 uA/MHz / 1.5 uA | 90 uA/MHz / 1.5 uA | 90 uA/MHz / 1.5 uA | 90 uA/MHz / 1.5 uA | 90 uA/MHz / 1.5 uA |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated segment LCD controller (vs ATSAM4LS2CA-AU)
- Double the flash for OTA headroom (vs ATSAM4LC4CA-AU)
- Class-leading low-power profile (vs ATSAM4LS4CA-AU)
- Hardware cryptography on-die (vs ATSAM4LC2CA-AUR)
Design Notes
The SAM4L operates from 1.62 V to 3.6 V, but dynamic power scales with VDD squared - running the ATSAM4LC2CA-AU at 1.8 V instead of 3.3 V can cut active energy roughly 70% (Estimated: ratio 1.8^2/3.3^2 = 0.30, assuming equal frequency and activity; confirm with datasheet figures for your operating point). Use the on-chip voltage regulator and sleep modes: target deep sleep (1.5 uA typical) with the AST or EIC wake sources, and leverage sleepwalking ADC/USART so periodic acquisition never wakes the CPU. Decouple each VDD pin with 100 nF ceramics plus one bulk 10 uF capacitor near the supply entry.
For the 100-TQFP (14x14 mm, 0.5 mm pitch), use 0.18-0.2 mm trace/space escaping the perimeter and place 100 nF decoupling capacitors within 2 mm of each supply pin pair, via-stitched directly to the ground plane. Keep the LCD segment lines on an inner layer or spaced from switching nets - LCD bias nodes are high-impedance and sensitive to coupled noise, which appears as ghost segments. Provide a solid, unbroken ground plane under the chip; the exposed TQFP leads carry no thermal pad, so heat exits through the leads - fine at 48 MHz low-power operation but verify copper if the crypto engine runs continuously.
Do not rely on the flash user page for secret key storage without enabling read protection - the SAM4L crypto engine accelerates AES/DES but keys in plain flash pages are extractable on unlocked parts. Configure BOD33 and watch the 1.62 V minimum: brown-out during flash write corrupts pages, so sequence the LDO enable before releasing reset. When migrating code within the SAM4L family (e.g., LC2C to LC4C), re-check the peripheral multiplexing map per the datasheet pinout chapter - pin functions differ subtly between densities even on the same footprint. Finally, program via SAM-BA over USB requires the correct boot-mode strap at reset.
At 48 MHz the ATSAM4LC2CA-AU is benign, but USART/SPI edges still need care: keep clock lines under 10 cm or series-terminate with 22-33 ohm resistors, and route USB D+/D- as a 90-ohm differential pair with 90-degree-free geometry to the connector. Crystal layout matters more than signal routing for the 1.5 us wake-up claim - place the 32 kHz OSC32 crystal within 3 mm of the pins, guard with ground pour, and avoid routing fast digital lines beneath it, or wake-up clock accuracy degrades and the AST drifts.
Compliance Information
GREEN package per Mouser listing indicates RoHS-compliant lead-free construction. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals declarations must be obtained from Microchip's product compliance page for this exact ordering code.
