ATSAM4S8CB-CFN - 120MHz Cortex-M4 MCU, 512KB Flash, 100-VFBGA | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4S8CB-CFN β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.42 | $7.42 |
| 10 | $6.68 | $66.80 |
| 100 | $5.91 | $591.00 |
| 500 | $5.31 | $2,655.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.74 | $4,740.00 |
ATSAM4S8CB-CFN Overview
What is a Cortex-M4 microcontroller? A Cortex-M4 microcontroller is a 32-bit ARM processor core specifically engineered for embedded applications, balancing deterministic real-time performance with low power consumption. It belongs to the ARM Cortex-M family (Cortex-M0 -> Cortex-M3 -> Cortex-M4 -> Cortex-M7) and sits at the entry point of Cortex-M cores with DSP extensions and an optional single-precision floating-point unit. In the broader system hierarchy it is a microcontroller (MCU) inside the microcontrollers category of Integrated Circuits, the lowest-latency, lowest-cost tier of programmable compute.
Key features include 1.62V to 3.6V single-supply operation, low power modes with 200 uA/MHz dynamic consumption, 30 mA at 100 MHz active, and a 3 uA backup current with the RTC running. The SAM4S8 also offers a 16-bit external bus interface, embedded Flash with security features, a unique 128-bit serial number for identification, and a full Speed USB 2.0 device port with on-chip transceiver, all backed by Microchip's Atmel Studio/MPLAB X development ecosystem and SAM-ICE debug interface compatibility.
The architecture is built around an M4 core with tightly-coupled SRAM for deterministic interrupt response, a 4-layer 32-bit AHB bus matrix for concurrent peripheral operation, and a separate peripheral bridge (APB) for low-bandwidth peripherals. The embedded Flash supports in-application programming (IAP) and a built-in bootloader, allowing firmware upgrades via UART, USB, or CAN. The on-chip voltage regulator and POR circuitry allow direct battery or 3.3V system-rail operation without external supply sequencing.
Typical applications include industrial motor control and HVAC, smart energy meters and grid monitoring, building automation gateways, USB-connected human-interface devices, medical point-of-care instruments, and CAN-connected automotive body electronics. The combination of Cortex-M4 DSP, FPU, USB and dual CAN makes it well suited to mixed analog/digital control loops that require deterministic response.
When designing with this part, pay attention to VFBGA-100 PCB layout: the 0.65 mm ball pitch requires NSMD pads with via-in-pad or microvia escape, and the center power/ground balls must be solid-connected to inner planes to meet thermal and electrical targets. Always validate the routing with the manufacturer land pattern from the SAM4S8 package drawing before committing to layout.
This page synthesizes verified distributor pricing, structured drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes drawn from the manufacturer datasheet - content not aggregated on Mouser, DigiKey, or Octopart.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4S8CB-CFN 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 ATSAM4S8CB-CFN (same form factor and footprint) β differing in ADC, Package, Core Architecture, USB, CAN.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4S8CA-CFN
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$4.8 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4S8CB-CFUR
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4S16CB-CFN
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$4.95 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAM4S8CB-CFN Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | ARM Cortex-M4 with FPU |
| Core Architecture | ARM 32-bit RISC |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 120 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 512 KB (512K x 8) |
| SRAM | 128 KB |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature (Industrial) | -40C to +85C |
| Operating Temperature (Green, MRL B) | -40C to +105C |
| Package | 100-ball VFBGA, 7x7 mm, 0.65 mm pitch |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (BGA) |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed Device with on-chip transceiver |
| CAN | 2x CAN 2.0A/B controllers |
| ADC | 12-bit, up to 16 channels, 1 Msps |
| DAC | 2x 12-bit DAC |
| Timers | Multiple 16-bit and 32-bit timers, PWM, RTC |
| Communication Interfaces | UART/USART, SPI, TWI (I2C), I2S, USB, CAN |
| External Bus Interface | 16-bit Static Memory Controller (EBI) |
| Supply Current (Active, 100 MHz) | approximately 30 mA |
| Supply Current (Backup, RTC) | approximately 3 uA at 1.8 V |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL (Moisture Sensitivity) | MSL3 (per BGA package) |
ATSAM4S8CB-CFN 100-ball vfbga, 7x7 mm, 0.65 mm pitch Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAM4S8CB-CFN (100-ball vfbga, 7x7 mm, 0.65 mm pitch 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 ATSAM4S8CB-CFN.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAM4S8CB-CFN is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Motor Control, Smart Energy Meter / Grid Monitoring, USB Human Interface Devices, Building Automation Gateway, Medical Point-of-Care Instrument, Automotive Body Electronics.
Industrial Motor Control
The ATSAM4S8CB-CFN fits industrial motor control because of its 120 MHz Cortex-M4 with single-precision FPU, hardware PWM timers, and dual CAN 2.0A/B controllers. A typical FOC loop runs field-oriented control at 10-20 kHz PWM with current sampling at 1 Msps on the 12-bit ADC; the Cortex-M4F executes the Park/Clark transforms and PI controllers within tight cycle budgets. The two CAN channels enable simultaneous communication with a drive master and a safety controller, and the 105C Green temperature grade supports cabinet-mounted installations without forced-air cooling. Two 12-bit DACs drive analog reference signals, while the 16-bit external bus interface connects to external SRAM for large lookup tables when needed.
Recommended
Smart Energy Meter / Grid Monitoring
The ATSAM4S8CB-CFN is well-suited to smart electricity meters and grid-monitoring endpoints because the Cortex-M4F handles metering DSP plus protocol stacks, the USB 2.0 Full-Speed port connects to a service technician's handheld reader, and the dual CAN interfaces bridge to in-home energy-management or HAN networks. The 12-bit 1 Msps ADC accurately samples CT/PT-derived waveforms for class-0.5 metering accuracy, and 128 KB SRAM buffers instantaneous samples during FFT analysis. The 3 uA backup current with RTC preserves time-stamped tariff data across outages. The 105C Green operating range tolerates outdoor cabinet temperatures in direct sun.
Recommended
USB Human Interface Devices
For USB keyboards, mice, touch panels, or industrial HMI panels, the ATSAM4S8CB-CFN integrates a USB 2.0 Full-Speed Device port with on-chip transceiver that requires only external pull-up on D+ and standard decoupling. The Cortex-M4F at 120 MHz runs USB HID or vendor-class stacks plus graphics or sensor-fusion firmware with low overhead. The 7x7 mm 100-ball VFBGA package suits space-constrained consumer peripherals and embedded panels where 64-pin QFP variants cannot fit the BOM. Multi-channel PWM drives RGB backlight control, while I2S interfaces connect to audio-feedback chips in programmable HMI panels.
Recommended
Building Automation Gateway
The ATSAM4S8CB-CFN serves as a building-automation gateway because its dual CAN interfaces can bridge BACnet, Modbus, or proprietary CAN-based HVAC/sensor networks simultaneously, while USB 2.0 connects to commissioning tablets. The Cortex-M4F runs encrypted TLS stacks on small TCP/IP footprints for secure remote management, and the 16-bit EBI connects to external SRAM for larger communication buffers. Two USART/SPI interfaces multiplex to wired sensor buses, and the RTC with backup current enables event timestamping through power interruptions. The 105C operating range suits plenum-rated installations where ambient temperatures can rise significantly.
Recommended
Medical Point-of-Care Instrument
The ATSAM4S8CB-CFN fits medical point-of-care analyzers because the Cortex-M4F runs sensor DSP and UI concurrently, while the 12-bit 1 Msps ADC acquires bio-sensor signals with low-latency deterministic response. USB 2.0 Full-Speed enables wired data export to lab information systems, and the dual CAN ports connect to adjacent analyzers in a multi-parameter workstation. The 105C operating temperature grade supports enclosed benchtop instrumentation, and the embedded Flash security bit plus unique 128-bit serial number support FDA traceability and anti-counterfeit requirements. The 16-bit EBI allows direct connection to LCD panels for integrated touch-screen HMIs.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
The ATSAM4S8CB-CFN's dual CAN 2.0A/B controllers make it a strong fit for automotive body controllers, BCMs, and gateway modules where it terminates CAN-HS between body domains and bridges to LIN subnets. The Cortex-M4F runs AUTOSAR-class applications plus CAN stacks, while the hardware FPU accelerates sensor-fusion math for body-domain features. The 105C operating grade matches automotive under-hood or cabin ambient, and the USB port supports dealer-tool firmware updates. The 16-bit EBI allows expansion with secure external memory for bootloaders; two 12-bit DACs drive analog sensor references. Note: this part is industrial-grade, not AEC-Q100 qualified - select a Q-grade variant for safety-critical modules.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4S8CB-CFN β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4S8CA-CFN | ATSAM4S8CB-CFUR | ATSAM4S16CB-CFN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 100-VFBGA 7x7 mm | 100-VFBGA 7x7 mm - same | 100-VFBGA 7x7 mm - same | 100-VFBGA 7x7 mm - same |
| Core | ARM Cortex-M4F | ARM Cortex-M4F | ARM Cortex-M4F | ARM Cortex-M4F |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 120 MHz | 120 MHz | 120 MHz | 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 512 KB | 512 KB | 512 KB | 1024 KB |
| SRAM | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 160 KB |
| Operating Temperature (Max) | +105C (Green, MRL B) | +85C (industrial) | +105C | +105C |
| USB Interface | USB 2.0 FS Device | USB 2.0 FS Device | USB 2.0 FS Device | USB 2.0 FS Device |
| CAN Controllers | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Key Differentiators
- Highest operating temperature grade in the 100-VFBGA SAM4S8 family (vs ATSAM4S8CA-CFN)
- Lower per-unit pricing than doubled-memory SAM4S16 when firmware fits 512 KB (vs ATSAM4S16CB-CFN)
- Tape-and-reel packaging variant for automated SMT lines (vs ATSAM4S8CB-CFUR)
Design Notes
Estimated: The 100-ball VFBGA at 0.65 mm pitch requires NSMD (non-solder-mask-defined) pads with a diameter around 0.30-0.35 mm and a via-in-pad or microvia escape to inner ground/power planes. Solid 4-layer stack-up with continuous reference planes is mandatory - split planes near the BGA are not acceptable. Use the manufacturer land-pattern drawing from the SAM4S datasheet before finalizing the PCB, and plan for buried vias or back-drilled stubs if signals must transit the BGA field. Thermal performance depends on direct via connection to the central ground balls.
The ATSAM4S8CB-CFN accepts a single 1.62-3.6 V supply, but the on-chip regulator generates the core voltage from VDDIO/VDDIN. Place a 10 uF bulk capacitor and 100 nF decoupling within 5 mm of each VDD pin pair and a 4.7 uF + 100 nF on VDDOUT. According to the Microchip SAM4S datasheet, voltage monitoring, brown-out reset, and power-on-reset thresholds are configured through the SUPC controller. If using sleep modes, ensure RTC backup current is provisioned by a backup domain supply when present.
Estimated: At 120 MHz active with peripherals enabled, internal dissipation is roughly 30 mA x 1.8 V = 54 mW in the SAM4S8. The 100-ball VFBGA exposes the die to a 7x7 mm PCB land area; with 1 oz copper on inner ground planes, junction-to-ambient theta_JA is typically 30-45 C/W. With ambient up to 85C, junction rise is at most a few degrees, so no external heatsink is needed. In enclosed IP-rated enclosures with no airflow, design for 105C ambient rather than 85C to avoid thermal margin issues - this favors the CB-CFN (Green, 105C) over the CA-CFN (85C).
Do not confuse the SAM4S8 (Cortex-M4F) with the SAM4S16 (Cortex-M4F, larger memory) when ordering - they share the same package suffix but different memory maps. The CFN suffix indicates the 100-VFBGA package, not the silicon revision. For surface-mount assembly, observe MSL3 handling: dry-pack vacuum bags must be kept sealed until bake-out per JEDEC J-STD-033. JTAG and SWD pins must be brought out for debug; ERASE pin should be accessible in production for firmware recovery if the bootloader is corrupted.
Compliance Information
Industrial-grade part, not AEC-Q100 qualified; CB suffix denotes 105C Green/MRL B lead-free and halogen-free material set per Microchip environmental compliance.
