ATSAM4LC8AA-MU - 48MHz Cortex-M4, 512KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4LC8AA-MU ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.28 | $7.28 |
| 10 | $6.74 | $67.40 |
| 100 | $6.19 | $619.00 |
| 500 | $5.79 | $2,895.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.39 | $5,390.00 |
ATSAM4LC8AA-MU Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip embedded computer that integrates a processor core, program memory, data memory, and peripherals on one die, forming the lowest tier of the embedded processing hierarchy (MCU -> embedded processor -> application processor -> SoC). The ATSAM4LC8AA-MU belongs to the ARM Cortex-M4 class of 32-bit MCUs, which combine a RISC processor with digital signal processing instructions for embedded control applications.
Key features include the Cortex-M4 core with DSP extensions, 512KB of on-chip flash with a flash accelerator for zero-wait-state execution at 48 MHz, and an ultra-low-power design targeting battery-operated and energy-harvesting systems. Connectivity peripherals cover I2C, IrDA, LINbus, SPI, UART/USART, and USB, allowing direct interfacing with sensors, displays, and host systems. Supply voltage spans 1.62V to 3.6V per the SAM4L family specification range (1.8V/2V/2.3V/3.3V nominal operating points).
Architecturally, the SAM4L series uses the high-performance 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4 RISC processor and integrates a flexible event system, multiple low-power sleep modes, and peripheral gating that allows the core to remain in deep sleep while peripherals operate. This reduces average system power in duty-cycled applications such as metering and portable instrumentation.
Typical applications include battery-powered portable instruments, low-power industrial sensors, USB-connected field devices, building automation nodes, and consumer products where long battery life and fast wake-up from deep sleep are decisive. The 48-QFN footprint suits compact, two-layer and four-layer boards with fine-pitch surface-mount assembly.
For design, budget sleep-current paths carefully: unused GPIOs should be defined rather than floating, and the exposed thermal/electrical pad must be soldered to a grounded copper pour for reliable ground return and thermal performance.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-family drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, with pricing verified as of 2026-09-20.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4LC8AA-MU — 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 ATSAM4LC8AA-MU (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Processor, Package, RAM Size, Flash Memory Size, Packaging.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4LC8AA-MUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4LS8AA-MU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →ATSAM4LC2AA-MU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4LC4AA-MU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$4.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM3N4BA-MU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$3.48 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4LC8AA-MU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Core Size | 32-Bit |
| Max Clock Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 512KB (512K x 8) FLASH |
| RAM Size | 64K 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 |
| Connectivity | I2C, IrDA, LINbus, SPI, UART/USART, USB |
| Package | 48-QFN (7x7 mm) with Exposed Pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Number of Pins | 48 |
| Series | SAM4L |
| Packaging | Tray |
ATSAM4LC8AA-MU 48-qfn (7x7 mm) with exposed pad Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4LC8AA-MU (48-qfn (7x7 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 ATSAM4LC8AA-MU.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4LC8AA-MU is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Portable Instruments, Low-Power Industrial Sensor Nodes, USB-Connected Field Devices, Building Automation and Metering, Consumer Connected Products, Medical and Health Monitoring Devices.
Battery-Powered Portable Instruments
The ATSAM4LC8AA-MU fits battery-powered instruments because its SAM4L power figures set the benchmark for Cortex-M4 MCUs: 90 uA/MHz active current, 1.5 uA sleep current, and 1.5 us wake-up time. A duty-cycled meter or handheld tester spends most of its life in sleep, so the 1.5 uA floor dominates battery budget while the 48 MHz core with DSP instructions handles burst computations such as FFT-based analysis. The 512KB flash retains all application and logging code on-chip, eliminating external memory that would add leakage. Place the MCU in its deepest sleep state between measurements and wake on RTC or external interrupt via the event system.
Recommended
Low-Power Industrial Sensor Nodes
Industrial sensor endpoints benefit from the ATSAM4LC8AA-MU's combination of low average power and robust connectivity. The integrated I2C, SPI, and UART/USART peripherals connect directly to pressure, temperature, and current sensors without glue logic, while LINbus support suits factory bus topologies. At 90 uA/MHz active and 1.5 uA sleep, a node sampling every few seconds keeps average consumption in the microamp range, extending battery service intervals in hard-to-access installations. The 1.62V to 3.6V supply range tolerates a discharging lithium cell directly. The exposed-pad 48-QFN provides solid ground return for noisy industrial environments.
Recommended
USB-Connected Field Devices
The ATSAM4LC8AA-MU integrates a USB device peripheral, making it a single-chip solution for USB-connected dataloggers, programming pods, and field service tools. Data can stream from the 64KB SRAM to a host over USB without an external USB controller, and the 48 MHz Cortex-M4 core applies CRC and filtering in hardware-accelerated DSP instructions between transfers. Because the part draws 90 uA/MHz, USB-bus-powered designs stay within the 100 mA low-power enumeration budget before negotiation. Layout the USB D+/D- pair with 90-ohm differential routing directly from the QFN pins and keep the exposed pad solidly grounded for signal integrity.
Recommended
Building Automation and Metering
Smart meters and building automation controllers demand multi-year battery life or harvested energy budgets, which the ATSAM4LC8AA-MU addresses with 1.5 uA sleep current and class-leading 1.5 us wake-up. The flash accelerator permits zero-wait-state execution at 48 MHz so metering algorithms finish quickly and the MCU returns to sleep, minimizing the active duty cycle. I2C and SPI interfaces read metrology front-ends, while IrDA and UART/USART support optical probe reading common in utility meters. The 512KB flash accommodates protocol stacks, billing firmware, and over-the-air update staging without external flash.
Recommended
Consumer Connected Products
Consumer devices such as remote controls, wearable hubs, and small appliances use the ATSAM4LC8AA-MU for its balance of performance and standby power. USB and UART/USART interfaces link to accessory ecosystems, and the Cortex-M4 DSP extensions accelerate sensor fusion and audio processing at 48 MHz. Sleep current of 1.5 uA keeps remote-control standby compliant with energy regulations, and wake-up in 1.5 us makes button presses feel instantaneous. The compact 7x7 mm QFN fits slim enclosures, and industrial-grade construction supports the thermal cycles of consumer charging docks.
Recommended
Medical and Health Monitoring Devices
Portable health monitors benefit from the ATSAM4LC8AA-MU's ultra-low sleep current of 1.5 uA and fast 1.5 us wake-up, enabling continuous passive monitoring with rare high-rate processing bursts for filter and FFT operations on physiological signals. The 64KB SRAM buffers sample streams from external biosensor front-ends over SPI or I2C, and the 512KB flash stores calibration tables and logging firmware. The 1.62V supply floor allows direct operation from a single silver-oxide or lithium coin cell through late discharge. Follow the SAM4L datasheet analog-supply decoupling guidance to keep sensor noise floors low.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4LC8AA-MU — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4LC8AA-MUR | ATSAM4LS8AA-MU | ATSAM4LC2AA-MU | ATSAM4LC4AA-MU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 48-QFN (7x7 mm) EP | 48-QFN (7x7 mm) EP - same | 48-QFN (7x7 mm) EP - same | 48-QFN (7x7 mm) EP - same | 48-QFN (7x7 mm) EP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) |
| 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 | 512KB | 512KB | 512KB | 128KB | 256KB |
| SRAM | 64KB | 64KB | 64KB | 16KB | 32KB |
| Active Mode Current | 90 uA/MHz | 90 uA/MHz | 90 uA/MHz | 90 uA/MHz | 90 uA/MHz |
| Sleep Mode Current | 1.5 uA | 1.5 uA | 1.5 uA | 1.5 uA | 1.5 uA |
| USB Peripheral | Yes | Yes | Not available on LS series | Yes | Yes |
| Packing Format | Tray | Tape & Reel | Tray | Tray | Tray |
Key Differentiators
- Maximum flash in the 48-pin SAM4L lineup (vs ATSAM4LC2AA-MU)
- Full connectivity set including USB (vs ATSAM4LS8AA-MU)
- Cortex-M4 DSP performance (vs ATSAM3N4BA-MU)
- Trade-off: higher cost than memory-reduced siblings (vs ATSAM4LC4AA-MU)
Design Notes
The 48-QFN (7x7 mm) exposed pad is the primary ground connection and heat removal path. Design the PCB land pattern per the SAM4L datasheet package drawing with an exposed-pad copper pour on the top layer, stitched to internal ground planes with an array of vias (typically 4-9 vias under the pad). Insufficient exposed-pad solder coverage is the most common cause of intermittent ground and EMC failures in QFN MCU designs; verify with X-ray or cross-section on first articles.
Decouple every VDD/VDDIO pin pair with 100 nF ceramic capacitors placed within 2 mm of the pins, plus one bulk capacitor (4.7-10 uF) near the supply entry. To exploit the 1.5 uA sleep spec, ensure leakage paths are minimized: define all unused GPIOs as outputs low or inputs with pull-ups in firmware, and check that external pull-ups and divider networks do not dominate the sleep budget. Estimated: a single 100k divider to a 3.3V rail adds roughly 33 uA of permanent drain - three times the entire MCU sleep current.
SAM4L flash programming requires the correct SWD/JTAG connection and clock setup; a wrong OSC0 crystal configuration can lock out debug access. Program the flash wait states and the clock source selection fuses before scaling to 48 MHz, and always validate with the Atmel/Microchip SAM-BA or SAM-ICE toolchain per the official application notes. Also note that the LC and LS series differ in peripheral instances - recompile per-device headers when migrating between family variants rather than reusing binaries.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance and lead-free finish per standard Microchip active catalog product classification on distributor listings (DigiKey, LCSC). REACH, halogen-free and conflict-minerals declarations should be confirmed via the official Microchip product environmental documentation for this exact ordering code.
