ATSAM4N8CA-AUR - 100MHz Cortex-M4 MCU 512KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4N8CA-AUR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.1 | $7.10 |
| 10 | $6.42 | $64.20 |
| 100 | $5.68 | $568.00 |
| 500 | $5.15 | $2,575.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.72 | $4,720.00 |
ATSAM4N8CA-AUR Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a processor core, memory, and peripherals on one die, forming the lowest layer of the embedded-system hierarchy: MCU -> embedded processor -> system-on-chip -> computing platform. The SAM4N family belongs to Microchip (formerly Atmel) SMART ARM-based MCU portfolio and targets cost-optimized industrial and consumer designs that still need 32-bit processing headroom.
Key features include DSP instructions and a Thumb-2 instruction set on the Cortex-M4 core, a Memory Protection Unit (MPU) for robust firmware partitioning, and rich serial connectivity: seven USARTs, four SPIs, and three I2C (TWI) interfaces for fast peripheral communication. Analog capability covers a 16-channel 12-bit ADC and a 10-bit DAC, complemented by PWM channels, timers, and an RTC for real-time clocked applications. The device operates from a 1.62V to 3.6V supply, supporting both 1.8V and 3.3V systems.
Architecturally, the SAM4N is the ideal migration path from the SAM4S for applications requiring reduced BOM cost, and it offers pin-to-pin compatibility with Atmel SAM3S, SAM3N, and SAM7S devices in the same packages, which simplifies in-portfolio upgrades without PCB redesign.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, sensor hubs and data loggers exploiting the 16-channel ADC, motor and lighting control using PWM and timers, and building automation nodes that leverage the multiple USART/SPI/I2C ports.
Design consideration: run the core at 100 MHz from a 3.3V rail and budget decoupling on all VDD/VDDIO pairs; the LQFP-100 footprint also leaves room to drop in higher-memory SAM4N16C variants later.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4N8CA-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 ATSAM4N8CA-AUR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Processor, Package, Instruction Set, RoHS Status, Core Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4N16CA-CFUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM3S8BA-MUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM3N4BA-MU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.48 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4LS8BA-AUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.72 / Unit
View Datasheet →STM32F411VET6
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4N8CA-AUR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Core Size | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 100 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 512 KB (512K x 8) |
| SRAM | 64 KB |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
| Instruction Set | Thumb-2 with DSP instructions |
| Memory Protection Unit | Yes (MPU) |
| USART Peripherals | 7 |
| SPI Peripherals | 4 |
| I2C (TWI) Peripherals | 3 |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit, 16 channels |
| DAC Resolution | 10-bit |
| Other Peripherals | PWM, timers, RTC |
| Package | 100-LQFP (14 x 14 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (R suffix) |
ATSAM4N8CA-AUR 100-lqfp (14 x 14 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4N8CA-AUR (100-lqfp (14 x 14 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 ATSAM4N8CA-AUR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4N8CA-AUR is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and Automation, Sensor Hubs and Data Loggers, Motor and Lighting Control, Building Automation Nodes, Portable and Handheld Instruments, Security and Access Control.
Industrial Control and Automation
The ATSAM4N8CA-AUR fits industrial control panels and factory automation nodes where a 100 MHz Cortex-M4 with DSP instructions handles PID loops and protocol stacks while the seven USARTs interface with Modbus/CAN-adjacent field devices. Its 16-channel 12-bit ADC digitizes multi-sensor inputs and the MPU supports safe partitioning of firmware. Operating from a robust 3.3V rail within the 1.62V to 3.6V range, the device replaces costlier SAM4S designs at reduced BOM cost per Microchip's positioning, and remains pin-compatible with SAM3S/SAM3N predecessors for PCB reuse.
Recommended
Sensor Hubs and Data Loggers
With a 16-channel 12-bit ADC, 10-bit DAC, and 64 KB SRAM, the ATSAM4N8CA-AUR aggregates analog sensor arrays and time-stamps readings using its RTC for data-logging products. The 100 MHz Cortex-M4 core applies DSP filtering (FIR/IIR) to raw samples on-chip, reducing host processing load, while three I2C and four SPI ports connect multiple digital sensors concurrently. The 512 KB Flash stores configuration tables and buffer logs locally, and the wide 1.62V to 3.6V supply range supports 1.8V memory and 3.3V sensor rails on the same board.
Recommended
Motor and Lighting Control
PWM channels, timers, and the 10-bit DAC of the ATSAM4N8CA-AUR implement closed-loop motor speed control and LED dimming with the 100 MHz core executing control algorithms with single-cycle MAC arithmetic from its DSP instruction set. The 16-channel ADC samples shunt-resistor current feedback, and the 10-bit DAC provides analog control references. Microchip documents the SAM4N as a reduced-cost migration path from the SAM4S, making it attractive for high-volume lighting ballasts and small motor drives where the 3.3V logic simplifies gate-driver interfacing.
Recommended
Building Automation Nodes
Seven USARTs, four SPIs, and three I2C interfaces make the ATSAM4N8CA-AUR a natural fit for building automation controllers that bridge HVAC sensors, door controllers, and energy meters on mixed serial buses. The RTC maintains schedules through power events and the MPU isolates safety-critical firmware regions. Running at 100 MHz from 1.62V to 3.6V, the device sustains concurrent protocol stacks within its 64 KB SRAM, and the 512 KB Flash accommodates OTA-style field updates of configuration code without external memory in many designs.
Recommended
Portable and Handheld Instruments
For handheld meters and portable instruments, the ATSAM4N8CA-AUR combines 100 MHz Cortex-M4 processing with the low standby paths enabled by the SAM4N power-management architecture. The 12-bit ADC and 10-bit DAC support measurement and stimulus generation on one chip, reducing board area in the 14 x 14 mm LQFP footprint. The 1.62V minimum supply permits operation from two series NiMH cells via a simple LDO, while DSP instructions accelerate calibration math. Pin compatibility with SAM3S/SAM3N lets one PCB serve multiple product price tiers.
Recommended
Security and Access Control
The ATSAM4N8CA-AUR suits access-control panels and security sensors that need deterministic 100 MHz response, multiple UART links to card readers, and the RTC for event time-stamping. The MPU enables separation of tamper-monitoring code from application firmware, and the 16-channel ADC reads door-position and tamper-switch analog signals. Its 512 KB Flash stores feature-rich firmware while remaining within the cost envelope Microchip defines for the SAM4N as a BOM-reduced alternative to the SAM4S, and the 100-pin LQFP supports existing encrypted-reader board designs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4N8CA-AUR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4N16CA-CFUR | ATSAM3S8BA-MUR | ATSAM3N4BA-MU | ATSAM4LS8BA-AUR | STM32F411VET6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-LQFP (14x14) | 100-LQFP (14x14) - same | 100-LQFP (14x14) - same | 100-LQFP (14x14) - same | 100-LQFP (14x14) - same | 100-LQFP - different pinout |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | STMicroelectronics |
| Core / Max Speed | Cortex-M4, 100 MHz | Cortex-M4, 100 MHz | Cortex-M3, 96 MHz | Cortex-M3, 96 MHz | Cortex-M4, lower max speed | Cortex-M4, 100 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 512 KB | 1 MB | 512 KB | 512 KB | 512 KB | 512 KB |
| SRAM | 64 KB | 128 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 128 KB |
| USB Device | No | No | Yes | No | Yes (USB device) | Yes |
| ADC / DAC | 12-bit 16ch ADC, 10-bit DAC | 12-bit 16ch ADC, 10-bit DAC | 12-bit ADC, DAC | 12-bit ADC, no DAC | 12-bit ADC, DAC | 12-bit ADC, no DAC |
| Pin Compatibility | SAM4N/SAM3S/SAM3N/SAM7S | Pin-to-pin compatible | Pin-to-pin compatible (per datasheet) | Pin-to-pin compatible (per datasheet) | Same package, verify pinout | Not pin-compatible |
Key Differentiators
- Seven USARTs and four SPIs for maximum serial connectivity (vs STM32F411VET6)
- Pin-to-pin migration across four Microchip families (vs ATSAM4N16CA-CFUR)
- Reduced BOM cost versus SAM4S at equal core performance (vs ATSAM3S8BA-MUR)
- Trade-off: no USB device controller (vs ATSAM3S8BA-MUR)
Design Notes
The ATSAM4N8CA-AUR operates from 1.62V to 3.6V per the Microchip product page. For a 100 MHz design, use a clean 3.3V rail with low-ESR decoupling on every VDD/VDDIO pin pair - place 100 nF ceramic caps within 2 mm of each supply pin plus one bulk 10 uF capacitor. If the board also hosts 1.8V memory, keep I/O bank supplies on 3.3V unless the SAM4N datasheet confirms the level-shifting capability of the target I/O lines. Verify core/IO supply separation requirements in the datasheet power section before layout release.
The 100-pin LQFP (14 x 14 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) requires careful fanout: use 0.15 mm trace/space on breakout, add thermal vias under any exposed copper area, and route the crystal pair (OSC) as a matched, guard-grounded differential with the load capacitors close to the pins. Because the SAM4N footprint is shared with SAM3S/SAM3N/SAM7S per the datasheet, keep the option to populate those variants by confirming the alternate pins are no-connect safe. Annotate the boot-mode (PA0/PA1/PA2 test pins) strapping on the silkscreen.
The SAM4N family deliberately omits peripherals present on the SAM4S (notably USB) to cut BOM cost - do not specify this part if USB device connectivity is required; choose ATSAM3S8BA-MUR instead. Also, the Cortex-M4 in the SAM4N provides DSP instructions and MPU but code must be compiled with the correct -mcpu=cortex-m4 flag to exploit single-cycle MAC. Do not drop in an STM32F411VET6 on an existing PCB - ST pinout differs despite the matching 100-pin LQFP package.
With seven USARTs and four SPI buses, simultaneous switching noise on adjacent I/O bank pins can couple into the 12-bit ADC inputs. Group high-toggle-rate digital lines away from ADC channel pins on the inner layers, and use a star or partitioned analog ground region for ADC reference filtering. Estimated: keep ADC source impedance below 10 kohm so the internal sample capacitor settles within the ADC clock period at maximum conversion rate.
Compliance Information
Mouser lists the part as Green (RoHS-compliant, lead-free), industrial temperature (IND TEMP), MRL A. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals status not stated in provided data.