ATSAM4N16CA-AU - 100MHz Cortex-M4 1MB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4N16CA-AU β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9.2 | $9.20 |
| 10 | $8.35 | $83.50 |
| 100 | $7.45 | $745.00 |
| 500 | $6.75 | $3,375.00 |
| 1,000 | $6.15 | $6,150.00 |
ATSAM4N16CA-AU Overview
A microcontroller unit (MCU) integrates a processor core, program memory, data memory, and peripherals on a single silicon die, sitting at the heart of the embedded systems hierarchy: MCU -> embedded processor -> system-on-chip. The SAM4N family is Microchip (formerly Atmel) SMART ARM-based flash MCU portfolio, and the SAM4N16C variant is positioned as the entry point to the Cortex-M4-based flash MCU lineup.
Key features include the ARM Cortex-M4 core with hardware DSP instructions and a Thumb-2 instruction set, a Memory Protection Unit (MPU) for robust firmware partitioning, and single-cycle multiply-accumulate for digital signal processing workloads such as filtering and sensor fusion. The 1 MB flash supports field firmware updates, while the 80 KB SRAM provides generous buffering for communication stacks and control algorithms.
Technically, the ATSAM4N16CA-AU operates from a 1.62 V to 3.6 V supply (2.5 V / 3.3 V typical rails) and is specified for industrial temperature ranges (part suffix -I, green LQFP package, MRLA). The device is pin-to-pin compatible with the SAM3N, SAM3S (48/64/100-pin versions), SAM4S (64/100-pin versions), and SAM7S legacy 64-pin products, offering a low-risk migration path for existing boards seeking a performance upgrade to Cortex-M4 with DSP capability.
Typical applications include industrial control and factory automation nodes, consumer and industrial HMI panels, metering and sensing systems, and motor-adjacent control logic where DSP instructions accelerate control loops.
Design consideration: because the Cortex-M4 DSP instructions and MPU are the main deltas versus the older Cortex-M3 SAM3S parts, verify that your toolchain and CMSIS headers target the M4 core before migrating.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, pin-compatibility data, and practical design notes not found in a single manufacturer document.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4N16CA-AU β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4SD16CA-AU
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4SD32BA-AU
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM3S8BA-AU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$6.4 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM3N4BA-AU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet βLM3S8962-EQC50-A2T
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4N16CA-AU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Core Size | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 100 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 1 MB (1M x 8) Flash |
| SRAM Size | 80 KB |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
| Typical Supply Rails | 2.5 V / 3.3 V |
| DSP Instructions | Yes |
| Instruction Set | Thumb-2 |
| Memory Protection Unit | Yes (MPU) |
| Package | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Series | SAM4N |
| Data Bus Width | 32 bit |
| Operating Temperature | Industrial (-40C to +85C) |
| Pin Compatibility | SAM3N, SAM3S, SAM4S (100-pin), SAM7S (64-pin) legacy |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (Green package) |
| Halogen Free | Compliant |
| ECCN | 3A991.a.2 |
ATSAM4N16CA-AU 100-lqfp (14x14 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4N16CA-AU (100-lqfp (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 ATSAM4N16CA-AU.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4N16CA-AU is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and Automation, HMI and Graphic Display Panels, Metering and Smart Sensing, Motor-Adjacent Control Logic, IoT Sensor Nodes and Gateways, Test and Measurement Instrumentation.
Industrial Control and Automation
The ATSAM4N16CA-AU fits industrial control nodes because its 100 MHz Cortex-M4 core with hardware DSP instructions executes PID loops, digital filters, and sensor-fusion algorithms that overload Cortex-M3 parts. The 1 MB flash accommodates protocol stacks (Modbus, CAN-based layers) and OTA firmware payloads, while 80 KB SRAM buffers communication and control data. Operating from 1.62 V to 3.6 V with an industrial temperature grade (green 100-LQFP, IND TEMP per Mouser), it mounts directly on existing SAM3S/SAM4S 100-pin PCBs for drop-in upgrades. Its Memory Protection Unit partitions safety-critical firmware from user tasks, improving fault containment in factory automation equipment.
Recommended
HMI and Graphic Display Panels
Human-machine interface panels benefit from the ATSAM4N16CA-AU's combination of 1 MB flash and Cortex-M4 DSP throughput: font bitmaps, localized string tables, and drawing routines fit in internal flash without external SPI memory, and single-cycle MAC operations accelerate pixel blending and touch-filtering math. The 80 KB SRAM supports a partial-frame buffer for QVGA-class segments. Because the device is pin-to-pin compatible with 100-pin SAM3S and SAM4S parts, a display product line can span cost-optimized (SAM3N/SAM3S) and USB-capable (SAM4S) variants on one PCB, simplifying logistics while preserving the industrial temperature rating and 3.3 V operation.
Recommended
Metering and Smart Sensing
Energy and utility meters use the ATSAM4N16CA-AU's DSP instructions to run FIR/IIR filtering and RMS computation on ADC-sampled current and voltage channels at 100 MHz, achieving accuracy classes difficult for Cortex-M3 firmware. The 1.62 V to 3.6 V supply range tolerates battery-backed supply sag during outages, and the Memory Protection Unit isolates metrology firmware from communication tasks. With 1 MB flash, multiple calibration profiles and localized display strings reside on-chip. Drop-in compatibility with 100-pin SAM4S devices (e.g., ATSAM4SD16CA-AU) lets meter platforms add USB service interfaces later without a PCB respin, protecting long-lifecycle metering designs.
Recommended
Motor-Adjacent Control Logic
In motor-driven equipment, the ATSAM4N16CA-AU handles supervisory control, communications, and coordinate transform math (Clarke/Park using single-cycle MACs) while companion gate drivers and power MOSFETs handle the power stage. The 100 MHz core executes control loops with deterministic Thumb-2 timing, and the 80 KB SRAM buffers fault logs and telemetry. Industrial temperature rating and a 3.3 V rail match typical inverter control-board supplies. Because the SAM4N family explicitly pin-matches SAM4S 100-pin parts, the same control PCB can migrate to the USB-equipped SAM4SD16CA-AU when field firmware update over USB or richer peripherals are required, minimizing redesign cost.
Recommended
IoT Sensor Nodes and Gateways
Battery-conscious IoT endpoints leverage the ATSAM4N16CA-AU's low-power SAM4N platform: the 1.62 V minimum supply supports direct operation from a sinking lithium cell, and 1 MB flash holds the full sensor-fusion and network-stack firmware including DSP-based preprocessing (FFT, filtering) that reduces radio airtime and energy per packet. The 80 KB SRAM accommodates TLS-class buffers for secure uplinks. The 100-pin LQFP (14x14 mm) provides enough GPIO for multiple sensor buses, and pin compatibility with SAM4S enables a shared PCB across endpoint and gateway SKUs. RoHS/green packaging supports global deployment of networked sensing hardware in commercial buildings.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
Bench and portable instruments exploit the ATSAM4N16CA-AU's 100 MHz Cortex-M4 with DSP instructions for trigger decisioning, waveform averaging, and calibration-table interpolation, while 1 MB flash stores measurement firmware, GUI resources, and multi-language strings without external memory. The MPU supports partitioning of measurement-critical code, and the 80 KB SRAM buffers acquisition records ahead of USB or UART transfer - designs needing USB streaming select the pin-compatible ATSAM4SD16CA-AU on the identical 100-pin LQFP footprint. Industrial temperature range and 3.3 V single-supply operation simplify handheld instrument power design, and the Thumb-2 toolchain ecosystem (CMSIS, standard compilers) shortens firmware development cycles.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4N16CA-AU β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4SD16CA-AU | ATSAM4SD32BA-AU | ATSAM3S8BA-AU | LM3S8962-EQC50-A2T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) - same body, verify pinout |
| Brand | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Texas Instruments |
| Core / Architecture | ARM Cortex-M4, 32-bit | ARM Cortex-M4, 32-bit | ARM Cortex-M4, 32-bit | ARM Cortex-M3, 32-bit | ARM Cortex-M3, 32-bit |
| Max Clock Frequency | 100 MHz | 120 MHz | 120 MHz | 96 MHz | 50 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 1 MB | 1 MB (dual bank) | 2 MB (dual bank) | 512 KB | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 80 KB | 128 KB | 160 KB | 96 KB | 64 KB |
| USB Peripheral | No | Yes (USB device) | Yes (USB device) | Yes (USB device) | Yes (USB host/device) |
| DSP Instructions | Yes (Cortex-M4) | Yes (Cortex-M4) | Yes (Cortex-M4) | No (Cortex-M3) | No (Cortex-M3) |
| Lifecycle Status | Active | Active | Active | Active (legacy positioning) | Not recommended for new designs (TI Stellaris legacy) |
Key Differentiators
- Cortex-M4 DSP performance at mainstream cost (vs ATSAM3S8BA-AU)
- Lowest-cost general-purpose positioning in the 100-pin SAM4 family (vs ATSAM4SD16CA-AU)
- Memory headroom over legacy alternatives (vs LM3S8962-EQC50-A2T)
Design Notes
When migrating from SAM3S/SAM3N Cortex-M3 boards, remember that the SAM4N16C is a Cortex-M4 with a different NVIC priority scheme and system header files. Regenerate startup code and CMSIS headers for the M4 core, and re-verify any cycle-count-based timing loops because DSP instructions change effective execution speed. The SAM4N lacks USB - if your SAM3S-based board used its USB device port, the ATSAM4N16CA-AU is NOT a functional drop-in; use the pin-compatible ATSAM4SD16CA-AU instead.
The device operates from 1.62 V to 3.6 V; for 3.3 V systems, decouple each VDD/VDDIO pin pair with 100 nF ceramics placed within 2 mm of the pins, plus bulk 4.7-10 uF near the supply entry. Estimated: at 100 MHz with typical active current, a decoupling network of one 10 uF plus per-pin 100 nF keeps supply ripple well within spec for flash-execution workloads. Confirm exact per-mode current figures in the manufacturer datasheet electrical characteristics section before finalizing the power budget.
The 100-LQFP (14x14 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) footprint is shared with 100-pin SAM3S/SAM4S parts per Microchip's compatibility statement - lay out the land pattern once and qualify multiple MCU SKUs on one PCB. Provide a solid ground plane under the package and keep high-speed clock traces (crystal, main oscillator) short and guarded. Sweep all unused GPIO as inputs with pull-ups during early bring-up to avoid contention, then configure per your schematic. Follow the Microchip SAM4N hardware design guidelines for oscillator loading capacitor selection.
Estimated: a Cortex-M4 MCU at 100 MHz typically dissipates well under 300 mW in flash-execution workloads from a 3.3 V rail, so the 100-LQFP package needs no heatsink; a standard 2 oz copper ground pour provides ample margin. Verify against the datasheet maximum junction temperature and theta-JA for your stack-up if the device runs at maximum clock with all peripherals enabled continuously in a sealed industrial enclosure.
Compliance Information
Mouser lists the package as GREEN, IND TEMP, MRLA (RoHS green). Globalspec cross-reference data confirms Halogen Free: Compliant. REACH and conflict-minerals declarations not stated in provided data.