ATSAM4S4CB-CFNR - 120MHz Cortex-M4 MCU 256KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4S4CB-CFNR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.42 | $6.42 |
| 10 | $5.78 | $57.80 |
| 100 | $5.14 | $514.00 |
| 500 | $4.66 | $2,330.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.21 | $4,210.00 |
ATSAM4S4CB-CFNR Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a processor core, memory, and peripheral set on one die, forming the lowest layer of the embedded system hierarchy: MCU -> embedded processor -> system-on-chip. The SAM4S family sits within Microchip's (formerly Atmel) ARM-based MCU portfolio and belongs to the Cortex-M class of 32-bit RISC controllers, which are widely used where deterministic real-time behavior and low power matter more than raw throughput.
Key differentiators of the ATSAM4S4CB-CFNR include the Cortex-M4 core with DSP instructions and FPU-free integer pipeline, 120 MHz maximum clock frequency, 256 KB of single-cycle Flash, and a rich peripheral mix typical of the SAM4S series. The compact 7x7 mm VFBGA-100 footprint provides high I/O density in minimal board area, making it attractive for space-constrained designs that still need substantial connectivity and processing headroom.
Architecturally, the device uses a 3-stage pipelined Harvard-architecture Cortex-M4 with a nested vectored interrupt controller (NVIC), enabling deterministic interrupt latency. Flash and SRAM are tightly coupled to the core bus matrix, and the Flash accelerator buffers help sustain near-zero-wait-state execution at full speed. The SAM4S series is supported by Microchip's Atmel Studio / MPLAB X ecosystem and the SAM4S-XPLAINED evaluation platform, with a well-documented peripheral driver library.
Typical applications include industrial control and factory automation nodes, consumer and portable devices, and embedded networking or data-logging equipment where the 105 C ambient rating and industrial temperature behavior provide design margin. The BGA package suits two-sided, dense PCB assemblies such as sensor hubs and compact HMI boards.
A key design consideration: VFBGA packages demand precise PCB land patterns and reflow profiling, and the balls are not probe-friendly for debugging - plan access to SWD test points early. Verify the exact SAM4S4CB-CFNR pin configuration against the manufacturer datasheet before layout.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing tiers, drop-in alternatives, design notes, and FAQ content not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet, providing engineers a single actionable reference.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4S4CB-CFNR — 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-CFNR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, RoHS Status, SRAM, Operating Temperature, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4S16CB-CFN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4S2CB-CNR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.53 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4SD32CB-CFNR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4S8CB-CFN
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$4.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4SD16CB-CFNR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$6.12 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4S4CB-CFNR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Core Size | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB (256K x 8) |
| SRAM | 64 KB |
| Package | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | up to +105 C ambient |
| Moisture Sensitivity | MRL B (per Mouser listing) |
| RoHS Status | Green / RoHS compliant (per Mouser GREEN marking) |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (T&R) |
ATSAM4S4CB-CFNR 100-vfbga (7x7 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4S4CB-CFNR (100-vfbga (7x7 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 ATSAM4S4CB-CFNR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4S4CB-CFNR is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and Automation, Portable and Handheld Devices, Sensor Hubs and Data Acquisition, Embedded Networking Equipment, Consumer Appliances and HMI Boards, Test and Measurement Instruments.
Industrial Control and Automation
The ATSAM4S4CB-CFNR fits industrial control nodes because its 120 MHz Cortex-M4 core handles real-time control loops, protocol parsing, and digital filtering (DSP instructions) while the 105 C ambient rating tolerates hot control cabinets and sealed enclosures. In a typical deployment the MCU runs a bare-metal or RTOS firmware managing Modbus/CAN gateways, sensor sampling, and actuator control. The 256 KB Flash accommodates a communication stack plus application logic with headroom for OTA field updates, and the 64 KB SRAM buffers network frames and filter coefficients. The VFBGA footprint enables compact, two-sided PCBs inside DIN-rail housings where board area is at a premium.
Recommended
Portable and Handheld Devices
Battery-powered instruments and handheld meters benefit from the ATSAM4S4CB-CFNR's combination of 120 MHz processing in a 7x7 mm BGA. The compact package allows the controller to sit on a dense two-sided main board beneath the display, maximizing battery volume. The Cortex-M4 core executes FFT-based measurement analysis and UI rendering, while low-power modes of the SAM4S series stretch battery life during idle periods - designers should consult the datasheet for sleep-mode current figures. The 256 KB Flash stores GUI assets, calibration tables, and a USB or serial communication stack for PC connectivity, making it a single-chip solution for digital multimeters, portable environmental loggers, and inspection tools.
Recommended
Sensor Hubs and Data Acquisition
As a sensor hub, the ATSAM4S4CB-CFNR aggregates multiple I2C/SPI/UART sensor streams and performs local processing before forwarding data upstream. The 120 MHz Cortex-M4 with DSP instructions efficiently runs calibration math, moving-average or IIR filtering, and even lightweight anomaly detection, offloading the host system. The 64 KB SRAM provides ring buffers for burst-captured sensor data, while 256 KB Flash holds per-sensor compensation tables and a persistent logging filesystem. The industrial 105 C rating suits harsh monitoring points such as motor housings and HVAC ducts, and the BGA's small 7x7 mm footprint lets the hub PCB tuck directly behind the sensor cluster.
Recommended
Embedded Networking Equipment
Network edge devices such as serial-to-Ethernet converters, protocol bridges, and access-control terminals leverage the ATSAM4S4CB-CFNR's throughput and memory balance. At 120 MHz, the Cortex-M4 sustains line-rate packet buffering and checksum processing for moderate-throughput links, and the 256 KB Flash holds a TCP/IP stack plus a web server for configuration. The 100-ball BGA offers sufficient I/O to expose multiple UARTs, SPI, and GPIO control lines simultaneously without external muxing. Field-updatable firmware fits comfortably with dual-image OTA schemes within the Flash budget. Verify exact interface counts against the SAM4S datasheet, as peripheral allocation varies by pin mux configuration.
Recommended
Consumer Appliances and HMI Boards
Home appliance control boards and small human-machine interfaces use the ATSAM4S4CB-CFNR to drive segment LCDs or resistive-touch displays while managing user input, motor loads, and safety interlocks. The 105 C rating covers kitchens and laundry enclosures, and the GREEN/RoHS-compliant BGA package meets consumer environmental requirements. The 120 MHz core provides snappy UI response and supports tone generation and capacitive-touch processing in firmware, while 256 KB Flash stores localization strings, graphics bitmaps, and control algorithms. Consolidating UI and control into one MCU reduces BOM cost compared to a two-chip display-plus-controller architecture.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instruments
Bench-top and field measurement instruments employ the ATSAM4S4CB-CFNR as the main controller managing front-end calibration relays, ADC sequencing, and result presentation. The DSP-enhanced Cortex-M4 core executes windowing and FFT routines for spectrum-style displays at 120 MHz, while the 64 KB SRAM holds waveform capture buffers suitable for slow-speed logging applications. The extended 105 C ambient rating allows fanless designs in sealed enclosures, and the BGA package keeps the controller section compact so board area is reserved for analog front-end circuitry requiring isolation and guarding. Firmware with USB device stack for PC connectivity fits within the 256 KB Flash with room for future features.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4S4CB-CFNR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4S16CB-CFN | ATSAM4S2CB-CNR | ATSAM4SD32CB-CFNR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) - same | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) - same | 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / Max Clock | ARM Cortex-M4 / 120 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4 / 120 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4 / 120 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4 / 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB | 1 MB class | 128 KB | 2 MB class (single-bank) |
| SRAM | 64 KB | 128 KB class | 32 KB class | 160 KB class |
| Operating Temperature | up to +105 C | up to +105 C | up to +105 C | up to +105 C |
| RoHS / Green | GREEN, lead-free | GREEN, lead-free | GREEN, lead-free | GREEN, lead-free |
| Typical Use Case | Balanced mid-density firmware | Firmware growth / OTA headroom | Cost-optimized simple control | Dual-bank failsafe updates |
Key Differentiators
- Balanced 256 KB Flash / 64 KB SRAM at lowest mid-family cost (vs ATSAM4S16CB-CFN)
- 4x Flash headroom within same footprint (vs ATSAM4S2CB-CNR)
- Highest I/O density package for the SAM4S4 memory point (vs ATSAM4S4CA-CU)
Design Notes
The 100-VFBGA (7x7 mm) requires a controlled land pattern with via-in-pad or dogbone fanout on a minimum 4-layer stack. Typical ball pitch is 0.8 mm; specify solder-mask-defined pads and use a 0.1-0.13 mm stencil with reduced aperture to avoid bridging. Route power (VDDCORE, VDDIO) and ground through dedicated planes - the BGA center balls typically carry core power. Confirm the exact ball map from the SAM4S datasheet package section before committing to footprint geometry.
SWD debug access must be designed in: balls are unprovable after reflow, so route SWDIO, SWCLK, and NRST to test pads or a 2x5 header. Also plan the boot-mode strapping (typically a boot-pin state sampled at reset) so a failed flash can be recovered via ROM boot. Omitting these is the most common unrecoverable mistake on BGA-mounted SAM4S designs, often forcing expensive BGA rework or board scrap.
The SAM4S series uses separate core and I/O supply domains with an internal regulator option on some variants; verify the exact supply architecture (and decoupling requirements) in the manufacturer datasheet since supply details were not in the verified listing data. As a general SAM4S practice: place 100 nF ceramic capacitors at each supply ball pair plus one bulk 4.7-10 uF capacitor, and keep the VDDCORE decoupling loop inductance minimal for stable 120 MHz operation.
Compliance Information
Mouser lists the part as 'GREEN, 105C, MRL B' - GREEN denotes Microchip's RoHS/lead-free/halogen-free packaging. REACH and conflict-minerals declarations should be obtained from Microchip's compliance portal.
