ATSAM4N16CA-CFU - 100MHz Cortex-M4 1MB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4N16CA-CFU ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.74 | $2.74 |
| 10 | $2.48 | $24.80 |
| 100 | $2.28 | $228.00 |
| 500 | $2.05 | $1,025.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.88 | $1,880.00 |
ATSAM4N16CA-CFU Overview
A 32-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a processor core, memory, and peripherals on one die, sitting at the heart of embedded systems within the broader hierarchy of ARM-based semiconductor devices. The SAM4N family is Microchip/Atmel's entry point to the ARM Cortex-M4-based Flash MCU portfolio, positioned below the SAM4S series as a reduced-BOM-cost migration path for cost-sensitive embedded designs.
Key features include the ARM Cortex-M4 core with DSP instructions and Thumb-2 instruction set, a Memory Protection Unit (MPU) for robust software partitioning, 1024 KB of zero-wait-state embedded Flash, 80 KB of SRAM, and operation from a 1.62 V to 3.6 V single supply. The industrial temperature rating (Mouser lists it as IND TEMP, MRL A) and green/RoHS-compliant VFBGA package suit compact, high-density boards where a 7x7 mm 100-ball footprint saves PCB area versus 100-pin QFP alternatives.
Technically, the Cortex-M4 core at 100 MHz provides DSP-capable arithmetic (single-cycle MAC) while retaining the low power consumption that makes the SAM4N series ideal for industrial automation, consumer and appliance, and energy metering markets, according to the Microchip SAM4N family datasheet (document 60001422B). The series offers pin-to-pin compatibility with SAM4S, SAM3S, SAM3N, and legacy SAM7S devices in matching 100-pin packages, facilitating in-portfolio migration without PCB rework.
Typical applications include energy meters, industrial sensors and actuators, appliance control boards, and building automation nodes - all cases where Cortex-M4 DSP throughput, large Flash for firmware growth, and low BOM cost matter simultaneously.
Design consideration: the VFBGA package requires careful PCB fanout and is best reflowed on boards designed for BGA inspection; if hand assembly or easy rework is required, the pin-compatible QFP version in the same family is preferable. Flash write-endurance and supply-decoupling guidance follow the SAM4N family datasheet.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing (DigiKey, Mouser, LCSC, Octopart), drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers a single decision-ready reference as of 2026-09-20.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4N16CA-CFU — 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 ATSAM4N16CA-CFU (same form factor and footprint) — differing in RoHS Status, Flash Memory, Instruction Set, Pin Compatibility, SRAM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4N16CA-CFUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4N8CA-CFU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$3.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4N8CA-CFUR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4S16CA-CFU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$5.76 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4N16CA-CFU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Core Size | 32-Bit Single-Core |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 100 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 1 MB (1M x 8) |
| SRAM | 80 KB |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.2 V (internal regulator) |
| Instruction Set | Thumb-2 with DSP instructions |
| Memory Protection Unit | Yes (MPU) |
| Package | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) |
| Number of Pins/Balls | 100 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Series | SAM4N (ATSAM4N16) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (GREEN, MRL A) |
ATSAM4N16CA-CFU 100-vfbga (7x7 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4N16CA-CFU (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 ATSAM4N16CA-CFU.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4N16CA-CFU is suitable for 6 applications: Energy Metering, Industrial Automation and Control Nodes, Consumer Appliance Control Boards, Portable and Battery-Powered Devices, Sensor Acquisition and Data Logging, IoT End Nodes and Gateways (Sub-GHz).
Energy Metering
The ATSAM4N16CA-CFU fits energy metering because the 100 MHz ARM Cortex-M4 with DSP single-cycle MAC instructions accelerates RMS, FFT, and power-factor computation that 8-bit or entry Cortex-M0 MCUs handle slowly, while the 1 MB Flash leaves ample room for multi-tariff firmware, communication stacks, and OTA upgrade images. In a typical meter, the MCU reads a metrology ADC over SPI/UART, computes per-phase energy registers, and drives an LCD and pulse outputs; the 80 KB SRAM buffers waveform samples for tamper and power-quality analysis. Microchip positions SAM4N explicitly for energy metering with a reduced BOM versus SAM4S, cutting cost in the industry's most price-sensitive embedded segment without sacrificing the Cortex-M4 math engine.
Recommended
Industrial Automation and Control Nodes
In industrial automation, the ATSAM4N16CA-CFU serves as a compact controller for I/O modules, small drives, and sensor hubs. Its 100 MHz Cortex-M4 executes PID loops and protocol parsing (Modbus RTU, CAN) with DSP-instruction headroom, and the Memory Protection Unit isolates safety-relevant firmware partitions. The -40C to +85C industrial temperature grade and green MRL-A package meet factory-floor environmental requirements. Because Microchip documents pin-to-pin compatibility across SAM4N/SAM4S/SAM3S 100-pin packages, one PCB can be populated with Flash sizes from 512 KB to 1 MB to build product tiers without respin. The 7x7 mm VFBGA also allows dense I/O cards where a 100-pin LQFP would not fit.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control Boards
Appliance controllers - washing machines, cooktops, air-conditioner indoor units - benefit from the SAM4N16's combination of a 100 MHz DSP-capable core for motor-control math and a low 1.62 V-to-3.6 V supply that simplifies power design from mains-derived rails. The 1 MB Flash holds HMI firmware, UI assets, and connectivity code, while the reduced-BOM-cost SAM4N positioning matches appliance cost targets, per the Microchip SAM4N family datasheet which names consumer and appliance as a primary market. The 7x7 mm VFBGA fits compact display-driver boards behind panel PCBs, and industrial-grade temperature tolerates the warm interiors of appliances without derating concerns common to consumer-only grades.
Recommended
Portable and Battery-Powered Devices
The SAM4N series' low power consumption, highlighted in the Microchip family datasheet, suits battery-powered handheld instruments, portable meters, and dataloggers. Operation down to 1.62 V lets the MCU run directly from two alkaline cells or a single Li-ion cell through a simple LDO, and the 100 MHz Cortex-M4 enables fast burst processing so the core can complete work and return to low-power modes quickly. The 1 MB Flash eliminates external SPI Flash on space-constrained wearables and probes, and the 7x7 mm 100-ball package saves roughly half the area of a QFP-equivalent, freeing board space for the battery. Designers should budget VFBGA rework constraints into repairability plans for portable products.
Recommended
Sensor Acquisition and Data Logging
For multi-channel sensor acquisition, the ATSAM4N16CA-CFU's DSP instructions accelerate filtering (IIR/FIR), oversampling, and calibration math, while 80 KB SRAM buffers measurement bursts between communications windows. Typical deployments include vibration monitors, environmental stations, and process dataloggers where the MCU samples ADCs over SPI, applies DSP conditioning, timestamps records with an external RTCC, and streams over UART/USB bridges. The 1 MB Flash stores local logging tables and a dual-bank firmware scheme for field updates. Because the SAM4N footprint is shared with SAM4S and SAM3N parts, a common logger PCB can span price/performance tiers, and industrial temperature operation supports unattended outdoor and cabinet installations.
Recommended
IoT End Nodes and Gateways (Sub-GHz)
As an IoT end-node controller, the SAM4N16 pairs with sub-GHz or proprietary radio modules over UART/SPI; the 100 MHz Cortex-M4 handles protocol stacks, AES-adjacent processing, and mesh routing for low-power gateway roles, while the MPU supports partitioned application/stack software. The 1 MB Flash accommodates full wireless firmware plus OTA A/B banks, reducing the need for external memory and its failure points. Microchip's SAM4N targeting of industrial automation makes it a natural fit for smart-building sensor networks, HVAC controllers, and meter-adjacent concentrators. Designers should plan VFBGA decoupling ball assignments early, as BGA escape routing on two-layer boards constrains power-integrity and RF-module placement.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4N16CA-CFU — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4N16CA-CFUR | ATSAM4N8CA-CFU | ATSAM4S16CA-CFU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) - same | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) - same | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / Clock | ARM Cortex-M4, 100 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4, 100 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4, 100 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4, 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 1 MB | 1 MB | 512 KB | 1 MB |
| Supply Voltage | 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 |
| Peripheral Highlights | SAM4N set (no USB host), MPU, DSP | Identical to this product | SAM4N set, reduced Flash | SAM4S set, adds USB and extra peripherals |
Key Differentiators
- Full 1 MB Flash in the entry-level SAM4N family (vs ATSAM4N8CA-CFU)
- Lowest BOM cost path to Cortex-M4 in this footprint (vs ATSAM4S16CA-CFU)
- Trade-off: compact BGA vs reworkability (vs ATSAM4N16CA-CU (TFBGA))
Design Notes
The 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) with 0.8 mm ball pitch requires dedicated fanout planning: assign power/ground balls to the center region where feasible and use via-in-pad with filled vias for inner-ball escape on a minimum 4-layer board. A 2-layer board is rarely practical for 100 balls. Verify ball map against the SAM4N family datasheet (60001422B) package section before layout sign-off, and plan an X-ray inspection step in production since ball joints are hidden after reflow.
Place 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitors at each VDD/VDDIO ball pair, plus bulk 10 uF near the regulator output. The device operates from 1.62 V to 3.6 V with an internal 1.2 V core regulator - the core regulator capacitor value and ESR requirements are specified in the SAM4N datasheet and must not be omitted, or the core may become unstable during flash write operations. Keep the analog supply domain separate from switching-regulator ripple paths for ADC accuracy.
A common pitfall is migrating firmware between SAM4N and SAM4S: although pin-to-pin compatible in 100-pin packages, the SAM4S runs at 120 MHz and adds peripherals, so clock configuration and peripheral base addresses differ - recompile against the correct device header rather than reusing binaries. Also note the -CFU suffix encodes package and temperature grade; ordering -CU (TFBGA) or reel/non-reel variants interchangeably without verifying the ball-out can strand unusable stock.
For high-speed interfaces (100 MHz bus activity, external memory or fast SPI), keep clock and fast signal traces short and reference a solid ground plane; BGA via stubs on inner balls can resonate at these speeds, so back-drill or use shallow via stacks on critical nets. Estimated: keeping SPI clock lines under 50 mm with 22-33 ohm series termination generally preserves edges at 50 MHz SPI rates typical for this class of MCU.
Compliance Information
Mouser lists the part as 'VFBGA, GREEN, IND TEMP, MRL A' - GREEN denotes halogen-free/RoHS-compliant packaging, MRL A is the highest material reporting level. Formal REACH and conflict-minerals declarations should be obtained from Microchip's compliance portal.
