ATSAM4S4AA-AN - 120MHz ARM Cortex-M4 MCU 256KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4S4AA-AN β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.1 | $6.10 |
| 10 | $5.55 | $55.50 |
| 100 | $4.95 | $495.00 |
| 500 | $4.52 | $2,260.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.1 | $4,100.00 |
ATSAM4S4AA-AN Overview
A 32-bit microcontroller unit (MCU) integrates a processor core, program memory, data memory, and peripherals on a single die, sitting at the heart of embedded system hierarchy: Cortex-M4 core -> ARM MCU -> embedded controller -> semiconductor device. The SAM4S family belongs to Atmel/Microchip's ARM-based smart ARM-based (SAM) portfolio, positioned for cost-sensitive, high-performance embedded control where deterministic real-time response and low power consumption are required.
Key features include a maximum operating frequency of 120 MHz with single-cycle MAC and hardware floating-point support from the Cortex-M4 core, 256 KB of flash program memory, and 64 KB of SRAM. Supply voltage spans 1.62V to 3.6V, and power consumption of 180 uA (per Microchip product page operating mode) makes it suitable for battery-powered designs. Peripherals include brown-out detect/reset, DMA, power-on reset, PWM, and a watchdog timer.
Connectivity is comprehensive: I2C, IrDA, memory card (SD/MMC), SPI, SSC (synchronous serial controller), UART/USART, and USB, enabling designs spanning industrial communications, human-machine interfaces, and peripheral bridging. The Cortex-M4 DSP extensions accelerate control loops and filtering algorithms common in motor control and digital power.
Typical applications include industrial automation controllers, consumer appliances, IoT sensor nodes, and motor control systems requiring a 120 MHz core with USB and serial connectivity in a compact 48-pin footprint.
Design consideration: the part is listed with part status Obsolete, so new designs should plan migration to active SAM4S variants; the SAM4S series offers pin-to-pin compatibility with SAM4N, SAM3S, SAM3N, and SAM7S devices for in-portfolio migration.
This page synthesizes distributor stock data, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4S4AA-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 ATSAM4S4AA-AN (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Flash Memory, Connectivity, Instruction Set, Number of I/O.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4S4CA-AN
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4S2AA-AN
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4S8CA-AN
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$4.42 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4S16CA-AN
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$2.61 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM3S4CA-AU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4S4AA-AN Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Core Size | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 120 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 256 KB Flash |
| SRAM Size | 64 KB |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
| Number of I/O | 34 |
| Connectivity | I2C, IrDA, Memory Card, SPI, SSC, UART/USART, USB |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect/Reset, DMA, POR, PWM, WDT |
| Package | 48-LQFP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Terminal Form | Gull Wing |
| Package Shape | Square (LFQFP) |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial |
| Part Status | Obsolete |
| Series | SAM4S |
ATSAM4S4AA-AN square (lfqfp) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4S4AA-AN (square (lfqfp) 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 ATSAM4S4AA-AN.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4S4AA-AN is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation Controllers, Motor Control Systems, IoT Sensor Nodes, Consumer Appliance Control, Data Loggers and Test Instruments, USB Peripheral and Bridge Devices.
Industrial Automation Controllers
The ATSAM4S4AA-AN fits industrial automation nodes where a 120 MHz Cortex-M4 core, 256 KB flash, and rich serial connectivity (I2C, SPI, UART/USART, SSC) handle sensor aggregation, PLC I/O, and fieldbus bridging. The DMA controller offloads multi-channel serial transfers so the CPU sustains deterministic control loops, while PWM and watchdog peripherals support actuator drive and fail-safe supervision. Operation from a 1.62V to 3.6V supply with brown-out detection keeps the node robust on noisy industrial rails. Typical use places the MCU between RS-485/USB front ends and relay or motor driver stages, with the industrial temperature grade ensuring reliability in enclosures and panel-mounted electronics.
Recommended
Motor Control Systems
Motor control benefits directly from the ATSAM4S4AA-AN's 120 MHz Cortex-M4 core with single-cycle MAC and DSP instructions, which accelerate field-oriented control (FOC) loops running at 10-20 kHz PWM frequencies. The PWM peripherals drive three-phase inverter stages, DMA streams ADC current-sense samples without CPU intervention, and 256 KB flash holds sensorless algorithms plus communication stacks. USB and USART links provide host commissioning interfaces. Designers should budget flash headroom since the part is obsolete; firmware within roughly 200 KB allows safe field updates. The industrial temperature grade covers drive-mounted environments with convection or heatsink-cooled power stages.
Recommended
IoT Sensor Nodes
For IoT sensor nodes, the ATSAM4S4AA-AN's 180 uA low-power operating mode and 1.62V to 3.6V supply enable battery-powered operation, while the 120 MHz core processes edge analytics and cryptographic overhead locally. The I2C and SPI buses connect humidity, pressure, and gas sensors; USB or USART provides gateway links; and 256 KB flash stores dual-bank firmware for OTA-style updates with 64 KB SRAM buffering measurement data. The 48-pin LQFP keeps node PCBs compact. As the part is obsolete, IoT OEMs should qualify the pin-compatible SAM4S4C variant in parallel while using existing ATSAM4S4AA-AN stock for early builds.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
White goods and appliance control boards use the ATSAM4S4AA-AN for user-interface scanning, motor and heater sequencing, and cloud-bridge connectivity. The 34 GPIO in the 48-pin LQFP drive keypads, LEDs, and LCD segments; PWM controls fans and pumps; and the watchdog with brown-out reset satisfies appliance safety supervision practices. USB enables service diagnostics, while USART and SSC link to display modules. The 120 MHz core provides headroom for capacitive-touch processing and an appliance communication stack in 256 KB flash. Cost-sensitive appliance OEMs favor this memory density point within the pin-to-pin compatible SAM4S family, simplifying board reuse across product tiers.
Recommended
Data Loggers and Test Instruments
Portable data loggers exploit the ATSAM4S4AA-AN's memory card connectivity (SD/MMC) for high-capacity local storage, DMA-driven multi-channel ADC sampling, and 64 KB SRAM for burst buffering. The 180 uA operating mode extends battery life in field instruments, while USB provides both data offload and firmware update paths. The 120 MHz Cortex-M4 core applies DSP filtering and FFT analysis directly on captured waveforms, useful in vibration and acoustic loggers. Designers should reserve flash capacity for the storage stack (FAT/file system typically consumes 32-64 KB), fitting comfortably within the 256 KB flash budget of this 48-pin LQFP controller.
Recommended
USB Peripheral and Bridge Devices
The ATSAM4S4AA-AN serves as a USB device controller bridging legacy serial buses to hosts: it converts USB traffic to I2C, SPI, UART/USART, or SSC target devices, functioning as a programmable programmer, test fixture controller, or HMI bridge. The 120 MHz core sustains USB full-speed throughput with protocol translation latency in the microsecond range, and DMA keeps buffer copies off the CPU. Flash-based firmware allows field updates for new protocol profiles across the 256 KB density. Because 34 GPIO are available, the same hardware can also implement parallel-byte interfaces. The 48-pin LQFP suits compact dongle and module form factors.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4S4AA-AN β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4S4CA-AN | ATSAM4S2AA-AN | ATSAM4S8CA-AN | ATSAM3S4CA-AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 48-LQFP | 48-LQFP - same | 48-LQFP - same | 48-LQFP - same | 48-LQFP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / Max Speed | ARM Cortex-M4, 120 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4, 120 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4, 120 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4, 120 MHz | ARM Cortex-M3, 64 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB | 256 KB | 128 KB | 512 KB | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 64 KB | 64 KB | 32 KB | 128 KB | 64 KB |
| 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 | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
| Pin-to-Pin Compatible with Target | Baseline | Yes (SAM4S family) | Yes (SAM4S family) | Yes (SAM4S family) | Yes (per datasheet 60001419B) |
Key Differentiators
- Highest performance-per-pin in the 48-pin SAM4S tier (vs ATSAM3S4CA-AU)
- Balanced memory density (vs ATSAM4S2AA-AN)
- Cost-optimized within identical footprint (vs ATSAM4S8CA-AN)
Design Notes
Power the ATSAM4S4AA-AN from a regulated 3.3V rail within the 1.62V to 3.6V datasheet range. Decouple the VDDCORE and VDDIO domains separately: place 100 nF ceramic capacitors within 2 mm of each supply pin plus a 4.7-10 uF bulk capacitor per domain. The 1.2V core domain is internally regulated; follow the datasheet decoupling network exactly. The brown-out detector and power-on reset peripherals handle supply droop, but verify BOD threshold selection against your regulator's transient response so flash writes are never interrupted mid-page.
For the 48-pin LQFP, use a standard 0.5 mm pitch land pattern per IPC-SM-782-family geometry for LFQFP square packages, with no-clean solder paste and gull-wing inspection-friendly pads. Place the USB differential pair (DP/DM) as a matched-length 90-ohm differential trace routed away from the 12 MHz crystal. Keep the crystal load capacitors and traces within 5 mm of the oscillator pins, guard them with ground, and avoid routing fast I2C/SPI signals beneath or adjacent to the crystal circuit.
The part status is Obsolete - a common pitfall is designing in ATSAM4S4AA-AN for new products without a lifecycle plan. Qualify ATSAM4S4CA-AN (same 48-LQFP footprint, cache-enhanced SAM4S) as a documented second source, leveraging the SAM4S series pin-to-pin compatibility with SAM4N, SAM3S, SAM3N, and SAM7S devices stated in Microchip datasheet 60001419B. Also verify that your toolchain supports the SAM4S device family ID, since very old IDE plug-ins may not program this Atmel-branded part number.
Compliance Information
The package is described as LQFP GREEN on Mouser, suggesting environmentally friendly packaging, but explicit RoHS/REACH/lead-free certification was not found in the provided data and is marked unknown; verify on the Microchip official product page.
