ATSAM4S4CB-CFN - 120MHz Cortex-M4 MCU 256KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4S4CB-CFN ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.9 | $5.90 |
| 10 | $5.5 | $55.00 |
| 100 | $5.05 | $505.00 |
| 500 | $4.65 | $2,325.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.25 | $4,250.00 |
ATSAM4S4CB-CFN Overview
A microcontroller unit (MCU) is a complete embedded computer on a single chip, combining a processor core, memory, and peripherals. The ARM Cortex-M4 is a 32-bit RISC processor core widely used in embedded systems, positioned above entry-level Cortex-M0 parts and below high-performance application processors. Within the power/performance hierarchy, MCUs like this sit at the heart of the embedded processing chain: semiconductor -> 32-bit MCU -> ARM Cortex-M4 -> SAM4S series.
Key differentiating features include the 120 MHz maximum core frequency, the Cortex-M4 DSP instructions and optional floating-point acceleration for math-heavy workloads, and a compact 7x7 mm ball-grid-array footprint suited to space-constrained boards. Per the SAM4S family datasheet, the series integrates a full-speed USB Device port with embedded transceiver, up to 160 KB of SRAM across family variants, dual-bank Flash options, and a rich peripheral set including UART/USART, SPI, TWI (I2C), ADC, PWM, and a real-time clock.
Technically, the ATSAM4S4CB-CFN implements a Harvard architecture with a memory protection unit, supports 1.2V/3.3V supply domains per distributor specifications, and is rated for the industrial temperature range with a 105C maximum rating noted by Mouser for the GREEN, MRL B ball-matrix variant. The VFBGA100 substrate provides short interconnects that improve signal integrity and reduce board area compared with quad flat-pack equivalents.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, consumer devices requiring USB connectivity, data-logging systems, motor control front-ends, and embedded gateways where DSP filtering and compact BGA packaging matter.
Design consideration: BGA packages require X-ray inspection for solder-joint verification and a controlled-reflow PCB process; verify the 0.8 mm ball pitch against your fabricator capabilities before committing to the 7x7 mm VFBGA footprint.
This page synthesizes verified distributor data, same-footprint drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4S4CB-CFN — 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 ATSAM4S4CB-CFN (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Mounting Type, Package, RoHS Status, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4S16CB-CFN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4S8CB-CFN
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$4.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4S2CB-CFN
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4SD16CB-CFN
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$8.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4SD32CB-CFN
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$6.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4S4CB-CFN Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4 (32-bit RISC) |
| Core Size | 32-bit single-core |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB (256K x 8) |
| Series | SAM4S |
| Package | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) |
| Terminal Count | 100 balls |
| Package Shape | Square (VFBGA) |
| Terminal Form | Ball |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (105C max) |
| Supply Voltage Note | 1.2 V / 3.3 V (per distributor spec) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS / Green Package | GREEN |
| Moisture Sensitivity Level | MRL B (per Mouser listing) |
| USB | Full-speed USB Device port (SAM4S family) |
| Peripherals (Family) | UART/USART, SPI, TWI, ADC, PWM, RTC |
ATSAM4S4CB-CFN green Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4S4CB-CFN (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 ATSAM4S4CB-CFN.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4S4CB-CFN is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panels, USB Data Loggers, Motor Control Front-Ends, Embedded IoT Gateways, Consumer Device Control, Medical and Health Monitoring Devices.
Industrial Control Panels
The ATSAM4S4CB-CFN fits industrial control panels because its 120 MHz Cortex-M4 core executes control loops and communication stacks with headroom, while the 105C industrial temperature rating survives cabinet environments. The SAM4S peripheral set - multiple UART/USART, SPI, TWI, and PWM channels - interfaces directly with PLC-style I/O, motor drivers, and HMI displays. Its 256 KB Flash hosts firmware plus a Modbus or CAN-style protocol stack. Placed as the panel's main controller with a 3.3 V rail, the compact 7x7 mm VFBGA conserves board area on dense I/O cards. The VFBGA's short ball interconnects improve signal integrity on high-speed peripheral buses compared with leaded quad flat-packs.
Recommended
USB Data Loggers
The ATSAM4S4CB-CFN is well suited to USB data-logging systems because the SAM4S family integrates a full-speed USB Device port with an embedded transceiver, eliminating an external PHY and its BOM cost. The 120 MHz core sustains timestamping and FIFO management while the 256 KB Flash stores a boot image plus application; SAM4S SD variants add dual-bank read-while-write Flash for safe in-field logging to external memory. The ADC captures analog sensor channels and the RTC maintains real-time stamps. In a 3.3 V system, the 7x7 mm VFBGA lets the logger PCB stay pocket-sized, and USB powers the device directly from the host.
Recommended
Motor Control Front-Ends
For motor-control front-ends, the ATSAM4S4CB-CFN provides the Cortex-M4 DSP instructions and fast multiply-accumulate needed for FOC (field-oriented control) coordinate transforms, alongside multiple PWM outputs that drive gate-driver stages. The integrated ADC samples phase currents with the 120 MHz core executing the control loop deterministically. Its industrial 105C grade matches drive electronics enclosures, and the 256 KB Flash accommodates the control algorithm plus communication (Modbus/CAN-style) stacks. The compact VFBGA100 packages the controller into inverter board corners with limited area. Note that a dedicated gate driver and current-sense amplifier remain necessary external components around the MCU.
Recommended
Embedded IoT Gateways
In embedded IoT gateways, the ATSAM4S4CB-CFN acts as the aggregation controller that bridges sensor buses (SPI, TWI, USART) to a wired USB or higher-level network module. The 120 MHz Cortex-M4 handles protocol translation, packet buffering, and lightweight crypto pre-processing via DSP instructions, while 256 KB Flash hosts the gateway firmware. The full-speed USB Device port connects to host equipment, and the industrial temperature rating supports rooftop and factory-floor installations. The 7x7 mm VFBGA footprint is valuable in DIN-rail or compact gateway housings where PCB real estate is scarce. Pair with an external radio module or Ethernet controller for connectivity beyond USB.
Recommended
Consumer Device Control
Consumer devices - appliances, chargers, and small instrumentation - benefit from the ATSAM4S4CB-CFN's combination of USB Device connectivity, PWM outputs for LED or heater control, and ADC-based user-interface sensing. The 120 MHz core provides responsive touch-debounce and menu logic, and 256 KB Flash is ample for feature-rich consumer firmware. The 7x7 mm VFBGA reduces PCB size for compact handheld or wall-mount enclosures. Because the part uses a 3.3 V main supply, it interfaces directly with common consumer peripherals. Designers should plan for BGA rework constraints in consumer production, where X-ray inspection of solder joints is the practical verification method.
Recommended
Medical and Health Monitoring Devices
Portable medical and health-monitoring instruments use the ATSAM4S4CB-CFN for its balance of analog capture and processing throughput: the ADC digitizes biopotential or sensor front-ends while the Cortex-M4's DSP instructions run filtering and feature extraction locally. The full-speed USB Device port streams data to host workstations or chargers, and the RTC timestamps measurements. The 256 KB Flash holds acquisition firmware plus a UI, and the 7x7 mm VFBGA suits wearable-scale or compact desktop diagnostic enclosures. Battery operation at 3.3 V keeps the power tree simple. Medical designers should independently verify this part's qualification for their regulatory class - it is an industrial-grade, not a medical-certified, component.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4S4CB-CFN — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4S16CB-CFN | ATSAM4S8CB-CFN | ATSAM4S2CB-CFN | ATSAM4SD16CB-CFN | ATSAM4SD32CB-CFN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) - same | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) - same | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) - same | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) - same | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / Frequency | 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 | 512 KB | 128 KB | 1024 KB (dual-bank) | 2048 KB (dual-bank) |
| SRAM (Family Max) | Per SAM4S4 memory map | Up to 160 KB family max | Per SAM4S8 memory map | Per SAM4S2 memory map | Per SAM4SD16 memory map | Per SAM4SD32 memory map |
| USB Device Port | Yes (full-speed, embedded transceiver) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Compact BGA footprint at lowest Flash tier cost (vs ATSAM4S16CB-CFN)
- Single-bank simplicity (vs ATSAM4SD16CB-CFN)
- Memory headroom trade-off (vs ATSAM4S2CB-CFN)
Design Notes
The 100-ball VFBGA (7x7 mm) uses a fine-pitch ball matrix that demands controlled-impedance, low-voiding reflow. Specify a solder-mask-defined or NSMD pad geometry per the SAM4S package outline in the Atmel-11100 datasheet, use a No-Clean or water-wash flux compatible with your underfill decision, and plan X-ray or acoustic microscopy inspection since visual inspection is impossible under the package. Confirm your fabricator's minimum 0.8 mm-class BGA pitch capability before releasing the footprint. Escape routing typically requires a via-in-pad or 0.2 mm microvia fanout layer strategy.
The SAM4S operates from a 3.3 V main supply with an internal 1.2 V core regulator domain (distributor specs list 1.2 V/3.3 V). Provide a clean 3.3 V rail with per-domain decoupling on the VDDIO and VDDCORE/VCORE balls exactly as specified in the datasheet power section - the internal regulator requires its output capacitor to be placed close to the ball. Add bulk capacitance at the USB VBUS entry point. Verify voltage-domain sequencing requirements for VDDIO vs VCORE in the datasheet before power-tree design, as incorrect sequencing can latch up internal ESD structures.
Do not confuse the -CFN (VFBGA100) suffix with -AN (LQFP100) or -CU variants: these are different packages of the same die and are NOT interchangeable on the same PCB. Also note the -C ordering code in Microchip/Atmel SAM part numbering typically maps to a specific package/temperature combination; confirm MSL rating (MRL B ball matrix per Mouser) for your reflow profile. Finally, when migrating firmware from a larger SAM4S member down to the 4S4's 256 KB Flash, check the linker map for vector-table and EEPROM-emulation placement - oversized images fail only at link or boot time.
Compliance Information
Mouser lists the variant as 'BGA, GREEN, 105C, MRL B'; GREEN designation indicates RoHS/green packaging per Microchip. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals declarations should be confirmed via Microchip's official environmental compliance portal.
