ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR - 48MHz Cortex-M4 256KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.12 | $5.12 |
| 10 | $4.62 | $46.20 |
| 100 | $4.1 | $410.00 |
| 500 | $3.68 | $1,840.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.25 | $3,250.00 |
ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip embedded processor that integrates a CPU core, memory, and peripherals onto one silicon die, forming the lowest tier of the embedded processing hierarchy: MCU -> embedded processor -> system-on-chip. The SAM4L family belongs to the 32-bit ARM Cortex-M class of microcontrollers, which are widely used where deterministic real-time response, low power, and rich analog integration are required.
Key features of the ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR include hardware cryptography, an ultra-low-power design with multiple sleep modes, operation from 1.8V, 2.5V, or 3.3V supplies, and an industrial temperature range of -40C to +85C. The Cortex-M4 core supports DSP instructions, and the device integrates a flexible event system that allows peripherals to interact without CPU intervention, dramatically reducing active-mode energy.
Technically, the SAM4L achieves industry-leading energy efficiency through a multi-layer power architecture: separate voltage regulators, peripheral clock gating, and a wait-mode that resumes execution in microseconds. The integrated AES, DES, and SHA hardware accelerators offload cryptographic workloads from the CPU, important for secure IoT nodes.
Typical applications include industrial control and automation nodes, consumer appliances, metering, and battery-powered sensor systems that demand long battery life combined with secure communications.
When designing with this part, note that the exposed pad on the 64-TQFP must be soldered to a ground plane for optimal thermal and signal-integrity performance, and the 1.8V/2.5V/3.3V supply options allow direct battery or Li-Ion operation.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4LC4BA-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 ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Packaging, Operating Temperature, Supply Voltage, Package, Flash Memory.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4LC4BA-AU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.35 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4LC2BA-AU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4LS4BA-AU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4LS4AA-AUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.98 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Core Size | 32-Bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Flash Memory Size | 256 KB (256K x 8) |
| SRAM Size | 32 KB |
| Supply Voltage | 1.8 V / 2.5 V / 3.3 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Package | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm), Exposed Pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Peripherals | Hardware Crypto (AES/DES/SHA), DMA, PWM, WDT |
| Series | SAM4L (ATSAM4LC4) |
| Connectivity | USART, SPI, I2C (TWI) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (Green per Mouser listing) |
| Packaging Variant | Tape & Reel (R suffix), MRL A |
| Security Features | Crypto accelerator (per Mouser: CRYPTO) |
ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR 64-tqfp (10x10 mm), exposed pad Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR (64-tqfp (10x10 mm), 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 ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and Automation, Battery-Powered Metering and Sensing, Secure IoT Edge Nodes, Consumer Appliance Control, Medical and Diagnostic Devices, Security and Access Control Systems.
Industrial Control and Automation
The ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR suits industrial control nodes because its 48 MHz Cortex-M4 core handles deterministic real-time control loops while hardware crypto secures fieldbus and network authentication. Peripherals such as PWM, USART, SPI, and I2C support motor control interfaces, sensor buses, and HMI links without external bridge ICs. The -40C to +85C industrial temperature rating covers factory-floor enclosures, and the 256KB Flash accommodates RTOS plus protocol stacks. Used as a PLC expansion module controller or sensor-hub MCU, its sleep modes keep standby consumption low between control cycles, and DMA offloads data movement so the CPU remains available for the control algorithm.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Metering and Sensing
For energy meters and battery-powered sensors, the ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR delivers the SAM4L family's hallmark ultra-low-power operation: multiple sleep modes, peripheral clock gating, and fast wake-up let the MCU spend most of its duty cycle asleep. Operation at 1.8V allows direct connection to a single alkaline or Li-SOCl2 cell through a simple regulator, while 3.3V operation supports standard lithium coin cells. The 48 MHz Cortex-M4 finishes measurement processing quickly and returns to deep sleep, and the hardware AES/DES/SHA accelerators perform meter-data encryption efficiently. With 256KB Flash, full DLMS/COSEM-style firmware stacks fit on-chip without external memory.
Recommended
Secure IoT Edge Nodes
The ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR fits secure IoT edge nodes where device identity and encrypted uplinks are mandatory. Its on-chip cryptographic accelerators execute AES, DES, and SHA operations in hardware, offloading TLS-style handshakes from the CPU and avoiding the cost of a separate secure-element chip in cost-sensitive designs. The 32KB SRAM buffers packet payloads while 256KB Flash holds the network stack and firmware-update (bootloader) images. Running from 1.8V to 3.3V, it connects directly to sub-GHz or low-power radio modules over SPI/USART, and the industrial temperature range suits outdoor and unconditioned deployments.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
White goods, HVAC controls, and small appliances benefit from the ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR's combination of a 48 MHz Cortex-M4 core for UI responsiveness and low standby power for regulatory energy-efficiency requirements. The 64-TQFP provides enough GPIO for a segmented LCD-style front panel, encoder inputs, relay drivers, and sensor inputs, while PWM outputs drive fans or heater elements. Hardware crypto supports cloud-connectivity firmware and secure over-the-air update schemes increasingly required in connected appliances. The exposed-pad package improves thermal dissipation in enclosed housings, and industrial-grade temperature rating gives margin against harsh kitchen environments.
Recommended
Medical and Diagnostic Devices
Portable medical instruments such as glucose meters, patient-worn monitors, and handheld diagnostic tools use the ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR because the SAM4L's energy-efficient architecture extends battery life between charges while the Cortex-M4 DSP instructions accelerate filter and FFT processing on biosignals. The 48 MHz core completes signal-conditioning algorithms quickly, then drops to sleep to conserve power. The 256KB Flash and 32KB SRAM support data logging, calibration tables, and encryption of patient data required by privacy regulations. Its -40C to +85C rating exceeds typical medical ambient requirements, providing reliability margin, and 1.8V operation suits single-cell Li-Ion powered wearable form factors.
Recommended
Security and Access Control Systems
Door controllers, card readers, and alarm panels rely on authenticated communication, making the ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR's hardware crypto a natural fit. AES/DES/SHA accelerators verify credential challenges and encrypt panel-to-server traffic in hardware, while the 48 MHz Cortex-M4 manages keypad scanning, RFID-module communication over USART/SPI, and relay or lock driver outputs through GPIO/PWM. The 256KB Flash supports full secure-boot and audit-logging firmware, and the industrial temperature range accommodates unheated outdoor reader enclosures. Power-fail resilience is aided by the MCU's fast wake-up from sleep, ensuring events are captured even in intermittently powered installations.
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Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4LC4BA-AU | ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR | ATSAM4LS4BA-AU | ATSAM4LS4AA-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 / 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 | 256 KB | 256 KB | 128 KB | 256 KB class | 256 KB class |
| Family / Series | SAM4L (LC4) | SAM4L (LC4) | SAM4L (LC2) | SAM4L (LS4, lower-power) | SAM4L (LS4, lower-power) |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (R suffix) | Tray | Tape & Reel | Tray | Tape & Reel |
Key Differentiators
- Full 256KB Flash in the SAM4L low-power family (vs ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR)
- Integrated hardware cryptography (vs ATSAM3N4BA-MU)
- Low-power SAM4L architecture vs performance-oriented SAM4S (vs ATSAM4S16BA-AUR)
Design Notes
The ATSAM4LC4BA-AUR is supplied in a 64-TQFP with exposed pad. Solder the exposed pad to a solid ground plane with an array of thermal vias - this provides the primary ground return, improves EMI performance, and lowers thermal resistance. Keep decoupling capacitors (100 nF per VDD pin plus bulk) within 2 mm of the supply pins, and route the crystal (if used) with short, guarded traces away from switching signals.
The device supports 1.8V, 2.5V, and 3.3V operation, which allows direct battery designs. Estimated: at 3.3V supply with all peripherals active at 48 MHz, expect active-mode current in the low tens of milliamps (exact value per datasheet); in deep sleep the current drops to the microamp class. Size the regulator for peak active current plus radio or actuator loads, and use the SAM4L sleep modes plus peripheral event system to minimize wake frequency in battery applications.
When substituting ATSAM4LC2BA-AUR (128KB) for this part, verify that the linker map fits 128KB - code that just fits 256KB will fail to link. When choosing between -AU (tray) and -AUR (tape & reel) suffixes, confirm your assembly line's feeder requirements; functionally they are identical silicon. Also note the industrial temperature limit of +85C: do not substitute commercial-grade (0-70C) variants in outdoor or automotive-adjacent enclosures.
Compliance Information
Mouser listing identifies the part as TQFP, Green, IND TEMP, CRYPTO, MRL A - Green indicates RoHS-compliant, halogen-free packaging. REACH and conflict-minerals declarations not stated in provided data.
