ATSAM4S16CA-CU - 120MHz Cortex-M4 1MB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4S16CA-CU β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.42 | $7.42 |
| 10 | $6.71 | $67.10 |
| 100 | $5.98 | $598.00 |
| 500 | $5.44 | $2,720.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.89 | $4,890.00 |
ATSAM4S16CA-CU Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip embedded processor that integrates a CPU core, memory, and peripherals on one die, sitting at the heart of the embedded systems hierarchy: MCU -> embedded processor -> system-on-chip -> semiconductor device. The SAM4S family is Microchip's (formerly Atmel) ARM-based Flash MCU line for mid-range embedded control.
Key features include the ARM Cortex-M4 core with a 2 Kbytes cache, DSP instructions and the Thumb-2 instruction set, a Memory Protection Unit (MPU), and 1024 Kbytes of dual-bank embedded Flash with ECC, Security Bit and Lock support. Dual-bank Flash enables safe in-application programming: firmware can execute from one bank while the other is erased or written.
The device is pin-to-pin compatible with Microchip SAM3N, SAM3S (64- and 100-pin versions), SAM4N and legacy SAM7S products, allowing easy migration within the portfolio when more or less performance or memory is required. This migration path substantially de-risks PCB redesigns across product generations.
Typical applications include industrial control and automation nodes, consumer devices, and metering or data-logging equipment where 120 MHz DSP capability, 1 MB of Flash, and BGA space efficiency justify the footprint.
Design consideration: TFBGA packages require controlled-impedance PCB fabrication and X-ray or optical inspection capability; confirm your assembly partner supports 0.8 mm pitch BGA reflow before committing to this package.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the SAM4S/SAM3S families, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4S16CA-CU 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-CU (same form factor and footprint) β differing in RoHS Status, Operating Temperature, Supply Voltage, Package, Core Processor.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4S16CA-CFNR
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4SA16CA-CU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4N16CA-CU
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$4.05 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4S8CA-CU
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4S4CA-CU
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$3.9 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM3S8BA-MUR
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$5.15 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4S16CA-CU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Core Size | 32-Bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory Size | 1 MB (1M x 8) |
| Flash Configuration | Dual-Bank with ECC, Security Bit and Lock |
| Cache | 2 Kbytes |
| Instruction Set | Thumb-2, DSP instructions |
| Memory Protection | Memory Protection Unit (MPU) |
| Supply Voltage (Core) | 1.2 V |
| Package | 100-TFBGA (9x9 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Pin Compatibility | Pin-to-pin compatible with SAM3N, SAM3S (64/100-pin), SAM4N, SAM7S |
| Operating Temperature | Industrial temperature range |
| Lifecycle Stage | ACTIVE |
| RoHS Status | Green / RoHS compliant (per Mouser listing: BGA, GREEN, IND TEMP) |
| Peripherals | Parallel Input/Output (IO) data capture mode |
ATSAM4S16CA-CU 100-tfbga (9x9 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4S16CA-CU (100-tfbga (9x9 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 ATSAM4S16CA-CU.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4S16CA-CU is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and Automation, Metering and Data Logging, Consumer Devices and Appliances, Embedded Networking and IoT Nodes, Motor Control and Power Conversion, Portable and Battery-Powered Instruments.
Industrial Control and Automation
The ATSAM4S16CA-CU fits industrial control nodes because its 120 MHz Cortex-M4 core with DSP instructions executes PID loops and digital filters deterministically, while the Memory Protection Unit isolates safety-critical firmware from communication stacks. The 1 MB dual-bank Flash with ECC provides generous code space for protocol stacks plus a field-update bootloader with rollback, and Flash ECC mitigates bit errors in electrically noisy factory environments. Typical usage places the MCU as the main controller on a 100-pin TFBGA layout driving RS-485/CAN front ends, with the parallel I/O data capture mode handling parallel sensor or keypad interfaces. The industrial temperature grade and active lifecycle status make it a safe long-term selection for factory equipment with multi-year service commitments.
Recommended
Metering and Data Logging
Smart meters and data loggers benefit from the ATSAM4S16CA-CU's 1 MB dual-bank Flash, which stores both the application and years of logged records in the second bank, with ECC protecting data integrity across temperature cycling. The 120 MHz Cortex-M4 computes DSP-class metrology algorithms (FFT-based harmonic analysis) that a Cortex-M0+ class meter MCU cannot sustain, and the low core supply of 1.2 V supports efficient internal regulation for battery-backed operation. In a typical design the MCU samples the metrology front end, applies the DSP instructions to energy calculations, and pushes records over UART or I2C to a communication module. Pin compatibility with SAM3S and SAM7S lets metering platforms reuse an existing PCB while migrating to this higher-performance part.
Recommended
Consumer Devices and Appliances
For consumer appliances - coffee machines, air handlers, white goods - the ATSAM4S16CA-CU offers a single-chip solution combining a 120 MHz application core, 1 MB Flash for feature-rich firmware and UI assets, and enough GPIO on the 100-ball TFBGA (9x9 mm) footprint to drive segment LCDs, keypads and loads directly. The small 9x9 mm BGA saves board area in space-constrained appliance control boards, and the Thumb-2/DSP instruction set accelerates touch-sensing and audio prompt processing. The Memory Protection Unit allows OEM firmware and third-party modules to coexist safely. Because the SAM4S series is pin-to-pin compatible with the cheaper SAM3S/SAM4N 100-pin parts, appliance platforms can offer memory-tiered product variants on one PCB layout.
Recommended
Embedded Networking and IoT Nodes
IoT nodes and embedded gateways use the ATSAM4S16CA-CU as the host controller managing a wireless module over UART/SPI. The 120 MHz Cortex-M4 parses and repackages JSON or binary telemetry fast enough to keep radios saturated, while the 1 MB Flash holds TLS-class stack code, certificates and buffers that smaller parts cannot fit. The Flash Security Bit protects stored credentials from readback, a practical requirement for deployed connected devices. Dual-bank Flash enables over-the-air updates: the new image is written to the inactive bank and committed only after verification, with ECC guarding against corrupted downloads. The parallel I/O data capture mode offloads high-rate sensor acquisition, freeing CPU cycles for the network stack.
Recommended
Motor Control and Power Conversion
The ATSAM4S16CA-CU supports motor control applications - BLDC, PMSM, and single-phase drives - because the Cortex-M4's single-cycle MAC and DSP instructions execute field-oriented control loops with predictable cycle times at 120 MHz. Flash ECC ensures control firmware integrity, which matters when firmware corruption can cause loss of commutation, and the MPU can firewall the control loop from user-interface code. A typical implementation runs the FOC current loop in a timer-triggered ADC sampling chain, using the parallel I/O capture mode for position-sensor input. Designers should verify PWM peripheral channel counts against the SAM4S datasheet for the specific motor topology, since SAM4S peripheral configuration differs across family members.
Recommended
Portable and Battery-Powered Instruments
Handheld instruments and portable test devices choose the ATSAM4S16CA-CU when display, USB connectivity and signal processing must coexist on battery power. The 1.2 V core rail reduces internal regulator losses, and the 2 Kbyte cache lowers Flash access energy during compute-heavy DSP filtering of sensor data. The 100-TFBGA (9x9 mm) package fits compact handheld PCBs while the 100-ball pitch provides enough GPIO for a TFT display, keypad matrix and USB port simultaneously. Dual-bank Flash allows firmware field updates delivered over USB, and the Security Bit protects calibration constants in the field. For ultra-low-power sleep-dominated designs, compare against the SAM4L series, which trades performance for lower active current.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4S16CA-CU β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4S16CA-CFNR | ATSAM4N16CA-CU | ATSAM4S8CA-CU | ATSAM3S8BA-MUR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-TFBGA (9x9 mm) | 100-TFBGA (9x9 mm) - same | 100-TFBGA (9x9 mm) - same | 100-TFBGA (9x9 mm) - same | 100-BGA - pin-compatible |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / Max Clock | Cortex-M4, 120 MHz | Cortex-M4, 120 MHz | Cortex-M4, 120 MHz | Cortex-M4, 120 MHz | Cortex-M3, 96 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 1 MB (dual-bank, ECC) | 1 MB (dual-bank, ECC) | 1 MB | 512 KB | 512 KB |
| DSP Instructions | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (Cortex-M3) |
| Series Peripheral Set | SAM4S (full, incl. USB) | SAM4S (full) | SAM4N (reduced set) | SAM4S (full) | SAM3S |
| Pin Compatibility | SAM3N/SAM3S/SAM4N/SAM7S 100-pin | Identical die | Pin-to-pin compatible | Pin-to-pin compatible | Pin-to-pin compatible |
Key Differentiators
- Full 1 MB dual-bank Flash with ECC in a BGA100 footprint (vs ATSAM4S8CA-CU)
- Cortex-M4 DSP capability over Cortex-M3 predecessors (vs ATSAM3S8BA-MUR)
- Complete SAM4S peripheral set including USB (vs ATSAM4N16CA-CU)
Design Notes
The 100-TFBGA (9x9 mm, 0.8 mm pitch) footprint requires PCB fabrication with fine-line capability and assembly with X-ray or AOI inspection for solder-joint verification. Follow Microchip's SAM4S datasheet layout guidance: place a solid ground plane directly on layer 2 under the BGA, fan out power balls with local decoupling (100 nF per supply pair plus bulk capacitance) placed within 2 mm of the balls on the far side. Confirm your contract manufacturer's BGA reflow profile meets the MSL rating before first production build.
Use the dual-bank Flash architecture deliberately: place the bootloader and application in separate banks so field updates can write the inactive bank and roll back on failure. Never erase the bank containing executing code, and enable the Flash Security Bit only after full validation - once set, debug access is permanently restricted. When migrating from SAM3S or SAM7S designs, re-verify peripheral clock configuration and Flash wait-state settings for the 120 MHz maximum clock; legacy SAM7S code does not run unmodified.
The core supply is 1.2 V with separate I/O supply domains per the SAM4S datasheet; sequence and decouple each domain independently. Estimated: with 120 MHz core activity, budget tens of mA for VDDCORE plus I/O current - size the 1.2 V regulator (typically an on-board LDO or buck) with at least 2x margin and add bulk capacitance near the BGA power balls. Measure actual VDDCORE current in your application using Microchip's power estimation tools before finalizing regulator selection.
Compliance Information
Mouser listing describes the part as 'BGA, GREEN, IND TEMP', indicating RoHS/green packaging; detailed REACH, halogen-free and conflict-minerals status not stated in provided data.
