ATSAM4S4CA-CU - 120MHz Cortex-M4 MCU 256KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4S4CA-CU β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.22 | $5.22 |
| 10 | $4.96 | $49.60 |
| 100 | $4.55 | $455.00 |
| 500 | $4.18 | $2,090.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.9 | $3,900.00 |
ATSAM4S4CA-CU Overview
A microcontroller unit (MCU) is a single integrated circuit that combines a processor core, program memory, data memory, and peripherals into one chip, forming the lowest tier of the embedded processing hierarchy (MCU -> embedded processor -> system-on-chip). The SAM4S family sits within Microchip (formerly Atmel) SMART ARM-based MCU portfolio and belongs to the broader class of 32-bit RISC flash microcontrollers used in embedded control systems.
Key differentiating features include the Cortex-M4 core with DSP instructions and hardware FPU for math-intensive control loops, a full-speed USB Device port with embedded transceiver, an external bus interface supporting SRAM, PSRAM, NOR Flash, NAND Flash, and LCD modules, and native support for Microchip QTouch capacitive touch technology for buttons, sliders, and wheels.
The SAM4S architecture implements up to 2048 KB of Flash with optional dual-bank implementation and cache memory across the family, up to 160 KB of SRAM on larger variants, and a rich peripheral set including USART, SPI, TWI (I2C), PWM timers, a 12-bit ADC, and a parallel capture mode for data acquisition. The 120 MHz core with FPU achieves roughly 1.25 DMIPS/MHz class performance for deterministic real-time control.
Typical applications include industrial automation controllers, consumer and industrial touch interfaces, motor control, USB-connected instruments, and embedded systems requiring an external memory or LCD expansion via the EBI.
Design consideration: the ATSAM4S4CA-CU is supplied in tray packaging for industrial-grade (-40C to +85C) operation, and the TFBGA ball footprint requires careful PCB land-pattern design and X-ray-capable inspection; designers migrating from SAM7S, SAM3N, SAM3S, or SAM4N devices benefit from documented pin-to-pin compatibility within the portfolio.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, with all pricing referenced as of 2026-09-20.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4S4CA-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 ATSAM4S4CA-CU (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Operating Temperature, SRAM, Flash Memory, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4S16CA-CU
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$4.89 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4S2CA-CFU
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$3.38 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4S8CA-CU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4N8CA-CU
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$2.02 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4SD32CA-CU
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4S4CA-CU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Core Size | 32-bit |
| Max Clock Speed | 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB (256K x 8) |
| SRAM | 64 KB (64K x 8) |
| Supply Voltage | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
| Core Voltage | 1.2 V |
| Series | SAM4S |
| Package | 100-TFBGA (9x9 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| USB | Full-speed USB Device with embedded transceiver |
| External Bus Interface | SRAM, PSRAM, NOR Flash, NAND Flash, LCD module |
| Touch Support | Microchip QTouch capacitive touch (buttons, sliders, wheels) |
| Pin Compatibility | Pin-to-pin compatible with SAM7S, SAM3N, SAM3S, SAM4N |
| Packaging | Tray |
| Green Status | Green (RoHS) package, MRL A |
| FPU / DSP | Hardware FPU and DSP instructions (Cortex-M4) |
ATSAM4S4CA-CU 100-tfbga (9x9 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4S4CA-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 ATSAM4S4CA-CU.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4S4CA-CU is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation Controllers, Capacitive Touch HMI Panels, USB-Connected Instruments, Motor Control and Drives, Battery-Powered Portable Devices, Migration Path from SAM3S/SAM7S Designs.
Industrial Automation Controllers
The ATSAM4S4CA-CU fits industrial control nodes that need deterministic real-time response and rich connectivity. Its 120 MHz Cortex-M4 core with DSP instructions and hardware FPU executes PID and motion-control loops at control-bandwidth rates, while the SAM4S peripheral set (multiple USARTs, SPI, TWI, PWM timers, and a 12-bit ADC) covers sensor, actuator, and fieldbus interfaces without external glue logic. The external bus interface (EBI) supports SRAM, PSRAM, NOR Flash, NAND Flash, and LCD modules, allowing HMI panels or logging buffers to be added on the same board. With 256 KB of Flash and 64 KB of SRAM, protocol stacks such as Modbus RTU fit comfortably. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating supports factory-floor deployment.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch HMI Panels
The ATSAM4S4CA-CU is a strong fit for touch-controlled human-machine interfaces because it provides native support for Microchip QTouch capacitive touch technology, implementing buttons, sliders, and wheels directly on-chip without a separate touch controller. The 120 MHz Cortex-M4 core with FPU sustains touch-scanning, noise-filtering, and UI rendering simultaneously, and the EBI can drive an external LCD module directly. With 256 KB of Flash there is headroom for the QTouch library plus graphics assets, and 64 KB of SRAM accommodates frame buffers for small displays. The full-speed USB Device port enables firmware field updates from a host PC. The 100-ball TFBGA 9x9 mm package keeps panel PCBs compact.
Recommended
USB-Connected Instruments
Test fixtures, data loggers, and bench peripherals benefit from the ATSAM4S4CA-CU's full-speed USB Device port with embedded transceiver, which requires no external PHY and reduces BOM cost. The 120 MHz Cortex-M4 with DSP instructions processes ADC streams (12-bit on-chip ADC plus parallel capture mode) at rates that keep USB bulk transfers saturated, while the 256 KB Flash / 64 KB SRAM memory pair holds USB CDC or MSC stacks with room for application logic. The EBI supports external SRAM for longer capture buffers. Industrial temperature rating and tray packaging suit both lab equipment and production test hardware built around the same footprint.
Recommended
Motor Control and Drives
Field-oriented control (FOC) of BLDC and PMSM motors maps naturally onto the ATSAM4S4CA-CU. The hardware FPU removes fixed-point scaling from Clarke/Park transforms, and DSP multiply-accumulate instructions accelerate the control loop; at 120 MHz the core executes a full FOC loop with ample margin. SAM4S PWM timers provide complementary outputs with dead-time for three-phase bridges, and the 12-bit ADC with parallel capture mode samples phase currents synchronized to PWM events. The 100-ball TFBGA package offers dense I/O for gate-driver and encoder interfaces. Firmware-in-the-loop tuning is practical because the USB Device port supports live parameter adjustment from host software.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Portable Devices
The ATSAM4S4CA-CU suits battery-operated products that need both computation and connectivity. Its 1.62 V to 3.6 V supply range allows direct operation from a single lithium-ion cell via a simple regulator, and the SAM4S family provides low-power modes for duty-cycled acquisition. The 120 MHz Cortex-M4 delivers burst performance for signal processing (sensor fusion, audio filtering) and then returns to sleep, while the 256 KB Flash holds protocol and application code without external memory. QTouch support enables capacitive buttons and sliders on sealed enclosures, and the full-speed USB port handles charging-side communication. The compact 9x9 mm TFBGA fits slim portable housings.
Recommended
Migration Path from SAM3S/SAM7S Designs
For teams maintaining legacy SAM7S, SAM3N, SAM3S, or SAM4N designs facing shortages, the ATSAM4S4CA-CU is a documented migration target: according to the SAM4S datasheet, the series offers pin-to-pin compatibility with those families, so an existing PCB accepts the new part without layout changes. The 120 MHz Cortex-M4 with FPU provides roughly double the integer throughput and adds hardware floating point versus Cortex-M3 predecessors, extending product life without a board respin. Peripheral register maps follow the same Atmel conventions, keeping driver code largely portable, and the 256 KB Flash / 64 KB SRAM configuration is a common sweet spot for mid-life firmware baselines.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4S4CA-CU β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4S16CA-CU | ATSAM4S2CA-CFU | ATSAM4S8CA-CU | ATSAM4N8CA-CU | ATSAM4SD32CA-CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-TFBGA (9x9) | 100-TFBGA (9x9) - same | 100-TFBGA (9x9) - same | 100-TFBGA (9x9) - same | 100-TFBGA (9x9) - same | 100-TFBGA (9x9) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / Max Speed | ARM Cortex-M4 @ 120 MHz | Cortex-M4 @ 120 MHz | Cortex-M4 @ 120 MHz | Cortex-M4 @ 120 MHz | Cortex-M4 @ 120 MHz | Cortex-M4 @ 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB | 1024 KB | 128 KB | 512 KB | 512 KB | 2048 KB (dual bank) |
| SRAM | 64 KB | 128 KB | 32 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 160 KB |
| Hardware FPU | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| USB Device Port | Yes (full-speed, embedded transceiver) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| 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 | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Balanced 256 KB Flash / 64 KB SRAM density (vs ATSAM4S16CA-CU)
- Hardware FPU and USB Device port (vs ATSAM4N8CA-CU)
- Migration path from four legacy families (vs Cross-brand Cortex-M4 MCUs)
Design Notes
The 100-ball TFBGA (9x9 mm, 0.8 mm pitch) requires an accurate land pattern from the Microchip package drawing in the SAM4S datasheet. Use solder-mask-defined pads with NSMD geometry as recommended by Microchip assembly guidelines, and plan for X-ray or angled inspection since BGA joints are hidden. Because all CA-suffix SAM4S devices share this ball map, defining the footprint once lets you drop in ATSAM4S16CA-CU or ATSAM4S2CA-CFU later without a respin.
Supply the VDD core domain per the SAM4S datasheet: the 1.2 V core regulator domain and 1.62-3.6 V I/O domain require local decoupling - place 100 nF ceramic capacitors at each VDD/VDDIO ball group plus one bulk 10 uF per domain. If using the internal voltage regulator, follow the datasheet DFLL/PLL startup sequencing; if powering the core externally, respect the 1.2 V core rail tolerance. Verify brown-out detector thresholds are enabled for battery or noisy industrial rails.
When migrating from SAM3S/SAM7S designs, do not assume identical peripheral behavior: verify the EBI timings, USB clock source (PLL requirements differ across families), and Flash wait-state settings for 120 MHz operation. SAM4N parts (e.g., ATSAM4N8CA-CU) are pin-compatible but lack the FPU and USB Device port - code using float math or USB will not function. Also confirm the correct supply-voltage option suffix before ordering, since SAM4S devices come in multiple voltage/temp variants.
For EBI operation with external SRAM/NOR at high clock ratios, keep address/data bus traces length-matched within the datasheet setup/hold budget and route away from the USB differential pair. The full-speed USB D+/D- lines need 90-ohm differential impedance, series resistors per the reference design, and a shielded connector ground return. Keep the 480 MHz-class PLL harmonics out of the analog domain by segregating VDDA with a ferrite bead and local 1 uF + 100 nF decoupling.
Compliance Information
Green package designation and MRL A per distributor/FindIC data; industrial temperature grade. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals status not stated in provided data.
