ATSAM4S16CA-AN - Cortex-M4 120MHz 1MB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4S16CA-AN β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.36 | $3.36 |
| 10 | $3.19 | $31.90 |
| 100 | $2.95 | $295.00 |
| 500 | $2.79 | $1,395.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.61 | $2,610.00 |
ATSAM4S16CA-AN Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) integrates a processor core, memory, and peripherals onto a single chip, sitting at the device level of the embedded-systems hierarchy between discrete logic and full application processors. The SAM4S series belongs to the ARM Cortex-M4 family of 32-bit microcontrollers, which combine general-purpose MCU control capability with DSP instructions and Thumb-2 technology for efficient signal processing.
Key features include the Cortex-M4 core with a Memory Protection Unit (MPU), DSP instruction support, dual-bank Flash with ECC, Security Bit and Flash lock protection, plus rich connectivity: EBI/EMI external bus, I2C, IrDA, memory card interface, SPI, SSC, UART/USART, and USB. Peripheral support covers brown-out detect/reset, DMA, POR, PWM, and a watchdog timer, with 79 general-purpose I/O lines.
The dual-bank Flash architecture enables safe in-field firmware updates: the device can execute from one bank while erasing or programming the other, reducing boot-loader downtime risk. ECC on Flash improves reliability in electrically noisy industrial environments. The SAM4S series operates from 1.62V to 3.6V and is pin-to-pin compatible with the SAM7S, SAM3N, SAM3S, and SAM4N families, providing a clear migration path from legacy designs.
Typical applications include industrial control, consumer products, and PC peripherals, as well as USB-equipped field devices, motor-control systems using PWM outputs, and data-acquisition nodes using the SSC and memory card interfaces.
Design considerations: operate within the 1.62V to 3.6V supply range, budget the 79 available I/O against the EBI external memory bus requirements, and plan the dual-bank Flash layout early to take full advantage of ECC and safe update capability.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, verified drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, with data verified as of 2026-09-20.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4S16CA-AN 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 ATSAM4S16CA-AN (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Series, Core Size, Instruction Set, Flash Memory.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4S16CB-ANR
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4E16CA-ANR
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4E16CB-CN
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$3.79 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4N16CA-CFUR
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$4.95 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4S16CA-AN Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Core Size | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 1024 KB (dual-bank, ECC) |
| SRAM | 128 KB |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
| Number of I/O | 79 |
| Connectivity | EBI/EMI, I2C, IrDA, Memory Card, SPI, SSC, UART/USART, USB |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect/Reset, DMA, POR, PWM, WDT |
| Instruction Set | Thumb-2, DSP instructions |
| Memory Protection | MPU (Memory Protection Unit) |
| Flash Security | Security Bit, Flash lock |
| Pin-to-Pin Compatibility | SAM7S, SAM3N, SAM3S, SAM4N families |
| Package | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm), Green |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Part Status | Active |
| Series | SAM4S |
ATSAM4S16CA-AN 100-lqfp (14x14 mm), green Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4S16CA-AN (100-lqfp (14x14 mm), green 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 ATSAM4S16CA-AN.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4S16CA-AN is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Systems, USB Peripheral Devices, Consumer Electronics, Data Acquisition and Logging, Motor Control and Actuation, Legacy SAM7S/SAM3S Migration and PC Peripherals.
Industrial Control Systems
The ATSAM4S16CA-AN fits industrial control applications through its combination of a 120 MHz Cortex-M4 core, watchdog timer, brown-out detect/reset, and ECC-protected 1 MB dual-bank Flash. ECC corrects single-bit Flash errors, improving reliability in electrically noisy factory environments, while the wide 1.62V to 3.6V supply range tolerates poorly regulated industrial power rails. PWM channels drive actuators and motor drivers, DMA offloads data movement to keep CPU cycles free for control loops, and 79 GPIO lines interface PLC-style I/O modules. Using SPI and UART/USART links to sensor and communication modules, a typical control node maintains deterministic loop performance; Microchip lists industrial control as a primary SAM4S application, and the pin-compatible SAM3S/SAM4N migration path simplifies long-term product family maintenance.
Recommended
USB Peripheral Devices
With an integrated USB peripheral and 120 MHz Cortex-M4 performance, the ATSAM4S16CA-AN is well matched to PC peripheral and USB instrument designs. The USB interface enumerates as a device to a host PC while the SSC and SPI interfaces acquire data from codecs or ADC front ends; DMA keeps USB transfers serviced without CPU intervention, sustaining throughput alongside real-time processing. The dual-bank Flash enables in-field firmware updates over USB - the device reprograms one bank while executing from the other, avoiding boot-loader dead time. Per Microchip, PC peripherals are an explicit SAM4S target application. Designers should budget 3.3V for VDDUSB per the 1.62V to 3.6V supply specification and verify USB compliance using Microchip's SAM4S evaluation kit and software package.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics
The SAM4S series is explicitly positioned by Microchip for consumer applications, and the ATSAM4S16CA-AN suits them because it balances performance and cost: a 120 MHz Cortex-M4 with DSP instructions handles audio processing, user-interface graphics updates, and sensor fusion in a single 100-pin LQFP priced from roughly $3.36 (as of 2026-09-20). The 1 MB Flash accommodates feature-rich firmware without external code storage, while memory card interfaces support removable storage in products such as portable audio players and small appliances. Operating from a 3.3V rail typical of consumer designs, the device consumes power efficiently with DMA-driven sleep-mode workflows. The wide temperature-tolerant supply range also supports battery-powered designs regulated by simple LDOs or buck converters, minimizing bill-of-materials cost.
Recommended
Data Acquisition and Logging
For data-acquisition nodes, the ATSAM4S16CA-AN offers the memory card interface, SSC serial audio/telecom port, multiple UART/USART channels, and 1 MB internal Flash for local storage - no external memory is required for moderate logging workloads. ADC sampling results can be streamed by DMA into SRAM while the Cortex-M4 applies DSP filtering, and completed records are written to SD-class media through the memory card interface. EBI/EMI external bus support allows SRAM or parallel-flash expansion when datasets exceed the 128 KB internal SRAM, and the ECC on Flash protects logged configuration and calibration data against bit corruption. This combination makes the part suitable for environmental loggers, metering equipment, and industrial recorders that must run unattended for long periods with a watchdog supervising operation.
Recommended
Motor Control and Actuation
The ATSAM4S16CA-AN supports motor control through its PWM peripherals, high-speed 120 MHz Cortex-M4 core with DSP instructions, and DMA-assisted control loop timing. PWM outputs drive MOSFET gate drivers or power stages for brushed DC, stepper, and light BLDC applications, while the ADC-interfaced feedback path is handled by the CPU's DSP multiply-accumulate instructions for efficient PI and filtering algorithms. Brown-out detect/reset and the watchdog timer ensure safe recovery from supply dips - important when switching loads share the same rail. With 79 I/O lines, position sensors, limit switches, and communication to a supervisory controller over UART or SPI all connect without external glue logic. Designers should follow Microchip SAM4S evaluation kit reference layouts for PWM and analog grounding to minimize switching noise coupling into measurement paths.
Recommended
Legacy SAM7S/SAM3S Migration and PC Peripherals
Per Microchip's SAM4S datasheet, the ATSAM4S16CA-AN is pin-to-pin compatible with SAM7S, SAM3S, SAM3N, and SAM4N devices, making it the recommended drop-in migration target for legacy designs approaching end-of-life. A board designed for SAM3S in LQFP-100 accepts the SAM4S without layout change, while firmware gains a 120 MHz Cortex-M4 with DSP instructions, dual-bank Flash with ECC, and USB - typically a 4x performance uplift over SAM7S-class parts. The Thumb-2 instruction set and Microchip's software package ease code porting, and the SAM4S evaluation kit accelerates validation. For long-life industrial products, this compatibility path consolidates multiple legacy SKUs onto one modern platform, reducing qualification overhead while preserving the existing PCB investment and mechanical design.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4S16CA-AN β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4S16CB-ANR | ATSAM4E16CA-ANR | ATSAM4E16CB-CN | ATSAM4N16CA-CFUR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-LQFP (AN, Green) | 100-LQFP - same footprint | 100-LQFP - same footprint | 100-LQFP - same footprint | 100-LQFP - same footprint |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core | ARM Cortex-M4 @ 120 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4 @ 120 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4 @ 120 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4 @ 120 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4 @ 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 1024 KB dual-bank, ECC | 1024 KB dual-bank, ECC | 1024 KB | 1024 KB | 1024 KB |
| USB | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Ethernet / CAN | No | No | Yes (SAM4E adds Ethernet MAC + CAN) | Yes (SAM4E adds Ethernet MAC + CAN) | No |
Key Differentiators
- Dual-bank Flash with ECC enables safe field firmware updates (vs ATSAM4N16CA-CFUR)
- Same footprint with Ethernet/CAN upgrade path (vs ATSAM4E16CA-ANR)
- Broadest family migration compatibility (vs ATSAM3S8BA-MUR)
Design Notes
Operate the ATSAM4S16CA-AN within its specified 1.62V to 3.6V supply range; the typical design point is a clean 3.3V rail. Decouple each VDDIO group and VDDCORE with 100 nF ceramic capacitors placed within 2 mm of the pins, plus bulk 10 uF per rail. Ensure brown-out reset is enabled in firmware so supply dips during inrush of attached peripherals do not corrupt Flash - critical when using the dual-bank update feature.
For the 100-pin LQFP (0.5 mm pitch), route the EBI/EMI external bus with length-matched traces if external memory is used, and keep USB D+/D- as a 90-ohm differential pair without stubs. Use a solid ground plane under the MCU and place crystal and decoupling capacitors before committing to fanout. Estimate: a 14x14 mm LQFP-100 with 2 internal layers is sufficient for most designs; add dedicated analog ground regions when ADC accuracy matters.
Do not assume full GPIO availability when using the EBI/EMI bus - data/address lines multiplex away a significant share of the 79 I/O. Plan the dual-bank Flash partition (application vs update bank) at project start, since ECC and Security Bit settings are not trivially changed later. When migrating from SAM3S/SAM7S, re-verify peripheral multiplexing per pin, as the shared footprint does not guarantee identical alternate-function mapping.
Estimated: at 120 MHz with all peripherals active, SAM4S-class devices draw in the tens of mA, so junction dissipation stays well below 0.5 W. With an LQFP-100 theta_JA typically near 50 C/W on a standard 4-layer board, temperature rise is under 25 C at 25 C ambient - no heatsink needed. Verify with your own measured current at maximum clock in your firmware configuration.
Compliance Information
AN suffix denotes Microchip Green (RoHS, lead-free) LQFP package per Mouser listing ('LQFPGREENEXT'). REACH and conflict-minerals declarations should be confirmed on Microchip's official compliance documentation.
