ATSAM4LC2CA-CFUR - Cortex-M4 48MHz 128KB MCU | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4LC2CA-CFUR β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.62 | $4.62 |
| 10 | $4.21 | $42.10 |
| 100 | $3.84 | $384.00 |
| 500 | $3.55 | $1,775.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.28 | $3,280.00 |
ATSAM4LC2CA-CFUR Overview
A microcontroller unit (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a processor core, program memory, data memory, and peripherals on one die. MCUs sit at the heart of the embedded systems hierarchy - below application processors and above dedicated ASICs - and the SAM4L family belongs to the 32-bit ARM Cortex-M class of flash microcontrollers used for low-power control and connectivity tasks.
Key features of the ATSAM4LC2CA-CFUR include the high-performance ARM Cortex-M4 RISC core with 48 MHz maximum frequency, 128KB on-chip Flash for program storage, and the low-power SAM4L architecture that emphasizes energy-efficient operation. The VFBGA-100 (7x7 mm) ball grid array minimizes board area for space-constrained designs, and per distributor listings the device integrates cryptographic hardware support (CRYPTO) and carries RoHS-green packaging.
Technically, the SAM4L series implements the ARMv7E-M architecture with a 3-stage pipeline, providing DSP-oriented instructions and efficient interrupt handling. The die is fabricated for industrial-grade operation, and Microchip (via the Atmel acquisition) supplies the 1200-plus-page SAM4L datasheet covering power modes, peripheral sets, and memory organization for the family.
Typical applications include battery-powered portable instruments, industrial sensors and actuators, building automation nodes, and consumer devices that need 32-bit processing in a compact 7x7 mm footprint. The Cortex-M4 core with DSP capability suits digital filtering and control loops, while the low-power design supports long battery life.
When designing with this device, confirm the exact supply range and peripheral mapping against the manufacturer datasheet before layout, and verify BGA land pattern and reflow profile compatibility for the 0.8 mm ball pitch VFBGA package.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing context, drop-in alternatives within the SAM4L family, and practical design notes not found in a single manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers and buyers a consolidated reference for the ATSAM4LC2CA-CFUR.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4LC2CA-CFUR 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-CFUR (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Packaging, Operating Temperature, Series, Core Size, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4LC4CA-CFUR
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4LC4CA-CFU
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4LC2CA-CFU
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$3.48 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4LC8CA-CFU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$7.57 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4LC2CA-CFUR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Core Architecture | 32-bit RISC |
| Core Size | 32-bit single-core |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 128KB (128K x 8) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.68 V to 3.6 V |
| Nominal Supply Voltages | 1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Package | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (BGA) |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (T/R) |
| Special Features | Cryptographic hardware (CRYPTO) |
| Series | SAM4L |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (BGA Green per Mouser listing) |
| Number of Terminals | 100 |
| Terminal Form | Ball |
ATSAM4LC2CA-CFUR 100-vfbga (7x7 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4LC2CA-CFUR (100-vfbga (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 ATSAM4LC2CA-CFUR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4LC2CA-CFUR is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Portable Instruments, Industrial Sensor Nodes and Actuators, Building Automation and IoT Endpoints, Consumer Electronics Control Boards, Medical and Health Monitoring Devices, Secure Access and Authentication Tokens.
Battery-Powered Portable Instruments
The ATSAM4LC2CA-CFUR fits battery-powered portable instruments because its SAM4L architecture pairs a 48 MHz Cortex-M4 core with a low-power design philosophy and a 1.68V to 3.6V supply window that maps directly onto single-cell Li-ion or 2xAA power trees. In a typical handheld meter or data logger, the MCU runs data acquisition and display updates in run mode, then drops into deep sleep between samples; the industrial -40C to +85C rating keeps the device reliable in outdoor field use. The 128KB Flash accommodates firmware with calibration tables, communication stacks, and a small GUI driver without external memory. Because the VFBGA-100 package occupies only 7x7 mm, the board area is dominated by the battery and display rather than the controller, and the integrated crypto engine can sign logged readings for tamper evidence.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Nodes and Actuators
In industrial sensing and actuation nodes, the ATSAM4LC2CA-CFUR provides the deterministic Cortex-M4 processing needed for digital filtering, PID control loops, and protocol handling at 48 MHz while meeting the -40C to +85C industrial temperature grade required on factory floors. The 128KB Flash is sufficient for a Modbus or CAN application layer plus sensor compensation routines, and the on-chip cryptographic hardware (CRYPTO per Mouser listing) enables authenticated node identity in Industry 4.0 deployments. Powering directly from a 3.3V rail within the 1.68V to 3.6V range simplifies the power tree next to 24V field-power modules with a small buck converter. The 100-ball VFBGA keeps the controller footprint small on dense sensor boards, and tape-and-reel packing supports automated high-volume assembly of node electronics.
Recommended
Building Automation and IoT Endpoints
Building automation endpoints such as occupancy sensors, damper controllers, and HVAC zone modules benefit from the ATSAM4LC2CA-CFUR's combination of 32-bit performance, low-power operation, and integrated cryptography. The 48 MHz Cortex-M4 core executes network stacks (for example a lightweight wireless or wired protocol) with margin, while 128KB Flash stores the stack, configuration, and OTA-adjacent boot code for compact endpoints. Supply operation at 3.3V within the 1.68V to 3.6V window is standard in these systems, and multiple low-power modes allow battery or energy-harvesting nodes to sleep between polls. The crypto engine supports secure commissioning and message authentication, increasingly mandated in commercial building networks. The 7x7 mm VFBGA-100 suits the compact PCBs used inside wall sensors and valve actuators where every square millimeter matters.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics Control Boards
Consumer product control boards - small appliances, toys with interactive features, personal care devices - use the ATSAM4LC2CA-CFUR where 8/16-bit controllers run out of headroom but cost must stay controlled. The 128KB Flash removes the need for external program memory, and the 48 MHz Cortex-M4 with DSP instructions handles touch sensing, motor commutation assistance, and audio feedback with margin. Operating at 3.3V inside the 1.68V to 3.6V range matches single-buck or LDO-derived rails typical in consumer designs. The green, RoHS-compliant VFBGA-100 package supports lead-free reflow lines and keeps the controller out of the way of batteries and enclosures. Tape-and-reel supply supports the high production volumes of consumer manufacturing, and Microchip's long-lifecycle management of the SAM4L family reduces mid-program component change risk.
Recommended
Medical and Health Monitoring Devices
Portable health monitors - pulse oximetry boards, activity trackers, and home diagnostic accessories - leverage the ATSAM4LC2CA-CFUR's low-power Cortex-M4 with DSP instructions for real-time signal processing such as IIR/FIR filtering of physiologic waveforms at 48 MHz. The 1.68V to 3.6V supply range supports direct operation from Li-ion cells with a small LDO, and sleep-mode operation extends battery life in always-on monitoring use. The on-chip crypto hardware helps protect patient data at the point of collection, aligning with privacy-by-design practices, while the industrial temperature rating covers storage and transport extremes. With 128KB Flash, acquisition firmware, calibration data, and a BLE-adjacent application layer fit without external memory, and the 7x7 mm VFBGA-100 package allows very compact wearable PCB geometry.
Recommended
Secure Access and Authentication Tokens
Secure access tokens, smart lock controllers, and authenticated sensor keys exploit the ATSAM4LC2CA-CFUR's integrated cryptographic acceleration noted in distributor listings (CRYPTO feature, industrial grade). The 48 MHz Cortex-M4 executes AES-class operations in hardware while the core handles UI, radio interfacing, and state machines; 128KB Flash stores keys-in-context code, secure boot logic, and a compact communication stack. Powering from a 3V coin cell or 3.3V rail within the 1.68V to 3.6V window, the device spends most of its life in low-power states, extending battery service intervals. The 7x7 mm VFBGA-100 fits inside slim token and lock-module enclosures, and the BGA interconnect improves mechanical robustness against vibration compared with fine-pitch leaded packages in portable security hardware.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4LC2CA-CFUR β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4LC4CA-CFUR | ATSAM4LC4CA-CFU | ATSAM4LC2CA-CFU | ATSAM4LC8CA-CFU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) - same | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) - same | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) - same | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) - same |
| 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 (128K x 8) | 256KB | 256KB | 128KB | 512KB |
| Supply Voltage | 1.68 V to 3.6 V | 1.62 V to 3.6 V | 1.62 V to 3.6 V | 1.62 V to 3.6 V | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial | Industrial | Industrial | Industrial |
| Cryptographic Hardware | Yes (CRYPTO) | Yes (CRYPTO) | Yes (CRYPTO) | Yes (CRYPTO) | Yes (CRYPTO) |
| Packaging / Availability Note | Tape & Reel (R suffix) | Tape & Reel | Non-R packing; listed via DigiKey/Utmel | Non-R packing; listed via Rochester Electronics at DigiKey | Non-R packing; verify stock |
Key Differentiators
- 128KB Flash at the lowest family price point (vs ATSAM4LC4CA-CFUR)
- Integrated cryptographic hardware (vs Generic Cortex-M4 MCUs at similar price)
- Compact 7x7 mm 100-ball BGA (vs ATSAM4LC4CA-CFU)
Design Notes
The ATSAM4LC2CA-CFUR is supplied in a 100-ball VFBGA with a 7x7 mm body. Follow the Microchip SAM4L datasheet mechanical drawing for the exact land pattern (ball diameter and pitch), and apply standard BGA assembly practice: escape routing or via-in-pad with filled/plated vias under the array, solder-mask-defined or non-solder-mask-defined pads per the datasheet recommendation, and a reflow profile qualified for lead-free BGA assemblies. Recommend X-ray or AMI inspection at production ramp to catch voiding and bridging under the array.
Operate the device within the 1.68V to 3.6V supply window reported by distributors, with 1.8V, 2.5V, or 3.3V as nominal rails. Estimated: at 3.3V with a 100 mV of rail tolerance plus regulator ripple, worst-case still leaves over 300 mV margin to the lower limit, but a brown-out detector should be enabled so the MCU resets cleanly below the validated operating threshold. Decouple each supply ball with 100 nF ceramics placed as close to the ball as routing allows, plus bulk capacitance per the SAM4L datasheet power-supply chapter.
Do not confuse the R and non-R order codes: ATSAM4LC2CA-CFUR is the tape-and-reel version, while ATSAM4LC2CA-CFU ships in alternate packing - electrically identical per DigiKey's Rochester Electronics listing, but packing differences affect feeder compatibility on high-speed placement lines. Also, when migrating to ATSAM4LC4CA-CFUR or ATSAM4LC8CA-CFU for more Flash, confirm the exact family pinout and voltage range against the Microchip datasheet and re-verify any clock configuration tied to Flash wait states before releasing the firmware.
Compliance Information
Mouser listing describes the part as 'BGA Green, IND TEMP', indicating RoHS-green, halogen-free BGA packaging with industrial temperature grade. REACH and conflict-minerals status not stated in provided data.
