ATSAM4N16BA-AUR - 100MHz Cortex-M4 1MB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4N16BA-AUR β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.95 | $7.95 |
| 10 | $7.15 | $71.50 |
| 100 | $6.3 | $630.00 |
| 500 | $5.7 | $2,850.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.15 | $5,150.00 |
ATSAM4N16BA-AUR Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a processor core, program memory, data memory, and peripherals such as timers, communication interfaces, and analog converters. The ARM Cortex-M4 is a 32-bit RISC processor core widely used in embedded systems; the SAM4N family sits within Microchip's (formerly Atmel) SMART ARM-based MCU portfolio, positioned below the SAM4S as a lower-BOM-cost migration path while remaining pin-to-pin compatible with SAM3N, SAM3S, SAM4S (64/100-pin versions) and SAM7S legacy 64-pin products.
Key features of the ATSAM4N16BA include the Cortex-M4 core with DSP instructions, Thumb-2 instruction set, and a Memory Protection Unit (MPU), enabling efficient signal processing in a low-cost general-purpose MCU. The 1 MB Flash supports large application code, while 80 KB of SRAM provides working memory for buffers and stacks. The device operates from a 1.62 V to 3.6 V single supply at 2.5 V or 3.3 V, suiting battery-powered designs. The -AUR suffix denotes industrial temperature range (-40C to +85C), green/RoHS package, and tape-and-reel packing for automated assembly.
Technically, the SAM4N implements the ARMv7E-M architecture with Harvard bus structure, and the DSP extension accelerates multiply-accumulate operations used in digital filtering and control loops. The embedded Flash executes at full core speed with pre-fetch buffering, and the MPU supports functional-safety-oriented software partitioning.
Typical applications include industrial control and automation nodes, consumer and building appliances, metering front ends, and battery-powered portable instruments that need Cortex-M4 arithmetic performance without the cost of the SAM4S peripheral set.
When designing with this device, remember it is a cost-optimized family: verify that the specific peripheral mix (for example USB, which SAM4N omits relative to SAM4S) meets system requirements before committing the footprint, and exploit pin compatibility for risk-free family migration.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4N16BA-AUR 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 ATSAM4N16BA-AUR (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Flash Memory, Maximum Clock Frequency, Package, RoHS Status, Core Processor.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4N16BA-AU
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4N8B-AUR
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4N8C-AUR
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4N8AA-AUR
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM3S8BA-MUR
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$5.15 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4LC8BA-UUR
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$3.95 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4N16BA-AUR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Core Size | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 100 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 1 MB (1M x 8) |
| SRAM | 80 KB |
| ROM | 8 KB (embedded bootloader) |
| Instruction Set | Thumb-2, DSP instructions |
| Memory Protection Unit | Yes (MPU) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Package | 64-LQFP (10x10 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Series | SAM4N |
| Pin Compatibility | SAM3N, SAM3S, SAM4S (64-pin), SAM7S (64-pin) |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (MRLA) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (green package) |
ATSAM4N16BA-AUR 64-lqfp (10x10 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4N16BA-AUR (64-lqfp (10x10 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 ATSAM4N16BA-AUR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4N16BA-AUR is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and Automation, Smart Metering, Battery-Powered Portable Instruments, Consumer and Building Appliances, Legacy SAM7S/SAM3N Design Migration, Motor Control and Digital Power Auxiliary Processing.
Industrial Control and Automation
The ATSAM4N16BA-AUR fits factory automation nodes, motor-control auxiliary controllers, and PLC I/O modules where 100 MHz Cortex-M4 processing with DSP instructions accelerates control loops and digital filtering. The 1 MB Flash accommodates protocol stacks and field-updatable application code, while the -40C to +85C industrial temperature range and green RoHS LQFP-64 package meet cabinet-mounted equipment requirements. Running from 1.62 V to 3.6 V simplifies integration with standard 3.3 V industrial logic. Because the SAM4N is pin-to-pin compatible with SAM3S and 64-pin SAM4S devices, OEMs can scale memory and cost within an unchanged PCB footprint as product tiers evolve, reducing qualification effort across product families.
Recommended
Smart Metering
Utility metering (electricity, water, heat) benefits from the ATSAM4N16BA-AUR's combination of DSP-accelerated arithmetic for RMS and harmonic computation, 1 MB Flash for multi-protocol firmware and logging tables, and 80 KB SRAM for metrology buffers. The 100 MHz core finishes metering computations quickly, allowing the MCU to spend more time in low-power states between samples, extending battery or capacitor-buffered lifetimes. Industrial temperature rating covers outdoor meter enclosures. The MPU supports partitioning of metrology-critical code from communication stacks, useful for certified firmware architectures, and the embedded 8 KB bootloader ROM enables field firmware updates over the meter communication bus without external boot memory.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Portable Instruments
Handheld test tools, portable data loggers, and field instruments leverage the ATSAM4N16BA-AUR's 1.62 V to 3.6 V supply range, which accepts Li-ion cells directly through an LDO or buck regulator. The 100 MHz Cortex-M4 with DSP instructions processes sensor data - FFTs, filtering, calibration curves - rapidly, and the ample 1 MB Flash stores calibration tables, fonts, and logging data alongside application firmware. Compared with a Cortex-M3 alternative at the same clock, DSP instructions shorten computation windows, translating into lower average current for burst-workload instruments. Designers should verify deep-sleep current figures in the datasheet against power budgets for multi-year battery applications.
Recommended
Consumer and Building Appliances
Thermostats, HVAC controllers, white-goods user interfaces, and access-control panels use the ATSAM4N16BA-AUR to drive segment or graphical displays, manage touch/keypad scanning, and run communication links, all from a single 3.3 V supply. The 1 MB Flash is generous for appliance UI stacks, localization strings, and OTA-ready dual-bank update schemes, while Cortex-M4 headroom keeps response latency low even with network and display workloads concurrent. The green RoHS LQFP-64 package and high-volume tape-and-reel supply (MRLA) support automated consumer-scale production, and pin compatibility across SAM3N/SAM3S/SAM4N lets appliance platforms share one PCB across feature tiers to amortize development and certification costs.
Recommended
Legacy SAM7S/SAM3N Design Migration
Microchip explicitly documents the SAM4N as pin-to-pin compatible with SAM7S (64-pin legacy) and SAM3N/SAM3S products, making the ATSAM4N16BA-AUR the recommended modernization target for aging designs facing SAM7S supply risk or performance bottlenecks. An existing 64-pin LQFP board can accept the ATSAM4N16BA-AUR with at most power-decoupling review, instantly gaining a 100 MHz Cortex-M4 with DSP instructions, 1 MB Flash, and 80 KB SRAM over SAM7S-class baselines. Firmware migrates through the common ARM Thumb-2 toolchain and Microchip's ASF drivers, and the Migration from SAM4S application path is documented by Microchip for teams coming from that family with reduced BOM cost goals.
Recommended
Motor Control and Digital Power Auxiliary Processing
In motor-driven products (fans, pumps, compressors) and digital power supplies, the ATSAM4N16BA-AUR serves as the supervisory controller handling UI, communication, fault logging, and supervisory algorithms while a dedicated driver or gate-control stage executes the fast loop. Its DSP instructions accelerate monitoring computations such as current-signature analysis and temperature-compensated protection curves at 100 MHz. The MPU lets designers separate safety-monitoring code from communication firmware, supporting structured fault handling. Because Flash is 1 MB, complex fieldbus stacks (Modbus, CAN-based higher layers) fit alongside application code without external memory, and the industrial temperature grade suits enclosed motor-drive environments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4N16BA-AUR β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4N16BA-AU | ATSAM4N8B-AUR | ATSAM4N8C-AUR | ATSAM3S8BA-MUR | STM32F205RGT6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 64-LQFP (10x10 mm) | 64-LQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-LQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-LQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-LQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-LQFP (10x10 mm) - same package, different pin map |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | STMicroelectronics |
| Core | ARM Cortex-M4 (DSP, MPU) | ARM Cortex-M4 | ARM Cortex-M4 | ARM Cortex-M4 | ARM Cortex-M3 (no DSP) | ARM Cortex-M3 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Pin-to-Pin Compatible with ATSAM4N16BA-AUR | Yes (reference) | Yes - identical silicon | Yes - per Microchip family compatibility | Yes - per Microchip family compatibility | Yes - per Microchip SAM3S/SAM4N compatibility | No - requires board redesign |
Key Differentiators
- 1 MB Flash in a cost-optimized family (vs ATSAM4N8B-AUR)
- Cortex-M4 DSP instructions vs Cortex-M3 alternatives (vs ATSAM3S8BA-MUR)
- True pin compatibility within Microchip families (vs STM32F205RGT6)
- Trade-off: reduced peripheral set vs SAM4S (vs ATSAM4S16CA-CU)
Design Notes
Verify the peripheral set before committing the SAM4N footprint: Microchip positions the SAM4N as a reduced-BOM-cost derivative of the SAM4S, so some peripherals available on pin-compatible SAM4S parts are absent or reduced on SAM4N. Since the boards are pin-compatible, a mid-project discovery that a needed peripheral is missing can be resolved by substituting the SAM4S equivalent without layout change - but this should be a planned decision, not an emergency rework. Cross-check the SAM4N datasheet peripheral list against your BOM of required interfaces early in schematic capture.
The device operates from 1.62 V to 3.6 V at 2.5 V or 3.3 V rails. Use a clean 3.3 V LDO or buck output with at least one 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor per VDD pin pair placed within 2 mm of the pins, plus bulk capacitance (4.7 uF to 10 uF) near the supply entry. Separate, filtered analog supply entry is recommended if ADC accuracy matters. Note the SAM4N's core regulator configuration and allowed VDDCORE capacitance from the datasheet - do not omit the specified core capacitors, or the 100 MHz clock may exhibit marginal behavior.
The 64-pin LQFP (10x10 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) is hand-solderable for prototyping but the fine pitch requires solder-mask-defined pads and no-clean flux control in production. Exploit the family pin compatibility in layout: route uncommitted GPIO so that both SAM4N and SAM4S/SAM3S alternates remain usable, keeping ferrite/zero-ohm positions on supply pins flexible for family-specific current differences. Keep the crystal and its load capacitors close to the OSC pins with a ground guard ring for stable 100 MHz PLL reference operation.
Estimated: even at full 100 MHz activity, a Cortex-M4-class MCU in this family typically dissipates on the order of 100-200 mW, so with a ~60 C/W theta_JA for a 64-LQFP on a standard four-layer board the junction rise stays well under 15 C in a +85 C ambient - no heatsinking is required. Confirm against the datasheet power table for your actual clock/peripheral activity; the main thermal risk is incorrectly powered I/O banks driving heavy loads, not the core.
Compliance Information
Mouser listing designates the part 'LQFP, GREEN, IND TEMP, MRLA' - GREEN indicates Microchip's RoHS-compliant, halogen-free package; -AUR suffix denotes lead-free industrial-temperature tape-and-reel. REACH and conflict-minerals declarations not found in provided data.