ATSAM4SD32CA-CFU - 120MHz Cortex-M4 MCU, 2MB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAM4SD32CA-CFU ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $12.9 | $12.90 |
| 10 | $11.61 | $116.10 |
| 100 | $10.32 | $1,032.00 |
| 500 | $9.03 | $4,515.00 |
| 1,000 | $7.74 | $7,740.00 |
ATSAM4SD32CA-CFU Overview
A Cortex-M4 microcontroller is a 32-bit processor core based on the ARMv7-M architecture that combines deterministic interrupt response with DSP extensions (single-cycle MAC) and an optional single-precision FPU. Within the broader taxonomy, this places the SAM4S family under the MCU > microcontroller > embedded processor > semiconductor hierarchy. The Cortex-M4 lineage was introduced by ARM in 2010 to target mixed signal control and DSP workloads, and Microchip's SAM4S implementation layers a rich peripheral set and low-power modes around the core for industrial, consumer, and IoT applications.
Key features include a 1.25 DMIPS/MHz core with hardware multiplier and single-cycle MAC, dual-bank Flash with security bit and 128-bit unique ID, multi-layer AHB bus matrix, and the SAM4S Peripheral Event System for low-latency hardware-triggered tasks. The device supports 1.62V to 3.6V operation with an integrated voltage regulator, and offers Sleep, Wait, and Backup modes with fast wake-up for power-constrained designs. The 12-bit ADC reaches up to 1 Msps and pairs well with the chip's hardware-triggered timers.
Typical applications include industrial automation and PLC I/O, USB peripherals, CAN-based automotive body and automotive clusters, smart energy metering (smart meters), consumer audio and human-machine interface panels, and home automation gateways. The wide memory configuration (2MB Flash + 160KB SRAM) also fits well into embedded Linux-adjacent workloads such as gateway firmware, secure boot, and OTA upgrade handlers.
When designing with this part, ensure PCB layout routes the VFBGA 0.65 mm pitch on inner layers with appropriate microvia stackups and provides a solid GND plane under the exposed die pad for thermal dissipation. The integrated voltage regulator requires a 10 uF bulk capacitor on VDDOUT, and decoupling must follow Microchip's SAM4S hardware design guide.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAM4SD32CA-CFU — 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 ATSAM4SD32CA-CFU (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Operating Temperature, Package, Core Architecture, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAM4S16CB-CFNR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAM4S8CB-CFNR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4SD16CB-CFNR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.12 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAM4SD32CA-CFU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Core Bit Width | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 120 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 2 MB (2048 KB) |
| Data Memory (SRAM) | 160 KB |
| Package | 100-pin VFBGA (7x7 mm, 0.65 mm pitch) |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
| USB Interface | USB 2.0 Full-Speed Device/Host/OTG |
| CAN Controllers | 2 (CAN 2.0A/B) |
| ADC | 12-bit, up to 1 Msps |
| External Bus Interface (EBI) | Yes |
| Supply Voltage (typical) | 1.2 V core / 3.3 V I/O |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 3 |
ATSAM4SD32CA-CFU Pin Configuration
| Pin A1 | VDDIO — I/O supply voltage |
| Pin A2 | PA0 — GPIO / peripheral function |
| Pin A3 | PA1 — GPIO / peripheral function |
| Pin A4 | PA2 — GPIO / peripheral function |
| Pin A5 | PA3 — GPIO / peripheral function |
| Pin A6 | PA4 — GPIO / peripheral function |
| Pin A7 | PA5 — GPIO / peripheral function |
| Pin A8 | PA6 — GPIO / peripheral function |
| Pin A9 | PA7 — GPIO / peripheral function |
| Pin A10 | VDDIO — I/O supply voltage |
| Pin B1 | VDDIO — I/O supply voltage |
| Pin B2 | PB0 — GPIO / peripheral function |
| Pin B3 | PB1 — GPIO / peripheral function |
| Pin B4 | PB2 — GPIO / peripheral function |
| Pin B5 | PB3 — GPIO / peripheral function |
| Pin B6 | PB4 — GPIO / peripheral function |
| Pin B7 | PB5 — GPIO / peripheral function |
| Pin B8 | PB6 — GPIO / peripheral function |
| Pin B9 | PB7 — GPIO / peripheral function |
| Pin B10 | GND — Ground |
Typical Applications
ATSAM4SD32CA-CFU is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation & PLC I/O, USB Peripherals & HID Devices, CAN-Based Automotive Body & Cluster Modules, Smart Energy Metering & Smart Grid Gateways, Consumer Audio & Human-Machine Interface Panels, Home Automation & IoT Gateways.
Industrial Automation & PLC I/O
The ATSAM4SD32CA-CFU fits industrial automation and PLC I/O modules because its 120 MHz Cortex-M4 core delivers 1.25 DMIPS/MHz, sufficient for deterministic scan loops, while the 2 MB Flash holds IEC 61131-3 runtime plus bootloader plus OTA staging. The dual CAN 2.0A/B controllers, three TWI, and multiple USARTs natively cover fieldbus, Modbus, and HMI expansion without an external bus IC. The 12-bit ADC up to 1 Msps is well-suited for analog sensor conditioning, and the -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature range matches cabinet environments. Designers should leverage the SAM4S Peripheral Event System for sub-microsecond deterministic I/O triggering in motion-control loops.
Recommended
USB Peripherals & HID Devices
The ATSAM4SD32CA-CFU integrates a USB 2.0 Full-Speed Device/Host/OTG controller with on-chip transceivers, removing the need for an external PHY and enabling compact USB peripherals such as HID input devices, USB audio interfaces, USB-to-CAN gateways, and USB data loggers. The 120 MHz core and 160 KB SRAM support USB isochronous endpoints with low jitter, while the 2 MB Flash comfortably stores USB class firmware stacks (HID, CDC, MSD, audio) alongside bootloaders and OEM descriptors. The Peripheral DMA Controller offloads bulk transfers, freeing CPU cycles for application processing, and the 3.3 V I/O range connects directly to USB VBUS through a regulator.
Recommended
CAN-Based Automotive Body & Cluster Modules
The ATSAM4SD32CA-CFU's dual CAN 2.0A/B controllers make it a natural fit for automotive body controllers, instrument clusters, and CAN gateway nodes that need to bridge powertrain, body, and chassis networks. The Cortex-M4 with single-cycle MAC handles CAN message filtering, diagnostic services (UDS/KWP2000), and cluster rendering in parallel, while 2 MB Flash stores graphics assets, calibration data, and bootloader images. The -40 C to +85 C industrial range covers most cabin environments, though AEC-Q100 automotive grade is not explicitly listed on this part. Pair with an external CAN transceiver such as the MCP2551 or TJA1050 for physical-layer connectivity.
Recommended
Smart Energy Metering & Smart Grid Gateways
The ATSAM4SD32CA-CFU suits smart electricity meters, water/gas meter data concentrators, and smart-grid gateways that demand both deterministic real-time performance and rich connectivity. The Cortex-M4 core's DSP extensions accelerate real-time DSP routines for power-quality analysis (THD, RMS, harmonic extraction) while the 12-bit ADC samples voltage and current CT channels at 1 Msps. The 160 KB SRAM buffers measurement frames, and 2 MB Flash holds DLMS/COSEM protocol stacks, TLS libraries, and OTA firmware. Dual CAN and multiple UARTs interface with metrology front-ends, PLC modems, and RF sub-GHz modules for AMR/AMI deployments.
Recommended
Consumer Audio & Human-Machine Interface Panels
The ATSAM4SD32CA-CFU targets consumer audio devices and HMI panels because its 120 MHz Cortex-M4 can drive TFT LCD panels through the external bus interface, decode compressed audio over I2S, and run capacitive-touch sensing on GPIOs without a separate touch controller. The 2 MB Flash comfortably stores audio samples, multilingual UI strings, and graphics bitmaps for 320x240 to 800x480 panels, while 160 KB SRAM holds frame buffers. The integrated USB Full-Speed enables firmware updates and audio streaming from a host PC, and the low-power Wait mode drops consumption for battery-powered remote panels.
Recommended
Home Automation & IoT Gateways
The ATSAM4SD32CA-CFU is a strong fit for home automation gateways, smart thermostats, and IoT edge nodes because it combines multiple wired interfaces (USB, dual CAN, three TWI, multiple USARTs) with low-power modes that drop quiescent current into the microamp range during standby. The Cortex-M4 core runs TLS, MQTT, and Zigbee/Thread host stacks concurrently, while 2 MB Flash hosts the application image plus secure-bootloader and OTA staging partitions. The 128-bit unique ID supports per-device key provisioning for secure commissioning, and the 100-pin VFBGA footprint keeps the BOM compact for wall-mounted or tabletop enclosures.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAM4SD32CA-CFU — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAM4SD32CA-AUR | ATSAM4S16CB-CFNR | ATSAM4S8CB-CFNR | ATSAM4SD16CB-CFNR | ATSAM4SD32BB-MNR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 100-pin VFBGA (7x7 mm) | 100-pin LQFP (different footprint) | 100-pin VFBGA (7x7 mm) - same | 100-pin VFBGA (7x7 mm) - same | 100-pin VFBGA (7x7 mm) - same | 64-pin QFN (different footprint) |
| Core | ARM Cortex-M4 | ARM Cortex-M4 | ARM Cortex-M4 | ARM Cortex-M4 | ARM Cortex-M4 | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Max Clock Frequency | 120 MHz | 120 MHz | 120 MHz | 120 MHz | 120 MHz | 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 2 MB | 2 MB | 1 MB | 512 KB | 1 MB | 2 MB |
| SRAM | 160 KB | 160 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 160 KB |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed OTG | USB 2.0 Full-Speed OTG | USB 2.0 Full-Speed OTG | USB 2.0 Full-Speed OTG | USB 2.0 Full-Speed OTG | USB 2.0 Full-Speed OTG |
| CAN Controllers | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Key Differentiators
- Highest Flash density in the SAM4S VFBGA-100 family (vs ATSAM4S16CB-CFNR)
- Compact 7x7 mm VFBGA footprint vs LQFP (vs ATSAM4SD32CA-AUR)
- Dual CAN controllers for gateway designs (vs ATSAM4SD32BB-MNR)
Design Notes
The 100-pin VFBGA (7x7 mm) package has a 0.65 mm ball pitch requiring microvia stackups on inner layers. Use laser-drilled microvias with 0.4 mm capture pads and route signal traces on the top layer only when possible. Place a solid GND plane on layer 2 directly under the package to provide thermal dissipation and a low-impedance return path for high-speed USB and CAN signals.
Place a 10 uF X7R ceramic bulk capacitor within 5 mm of the VDDOUT pin that powers the internal 1.2 V regulator. Decouple every VDDIO pin with 100 nF X7R placed within 2 mm of the pin. The SAM4S hardware design guide recommends a 4.7 uF capacitor on the VDDPLL supply to minimize PLL jitter on the 120 MHz system clock.
Do not leave the JTAG pins TCK, TMS, TDI, TDO floating during production - they will draw extra current and may inadvertently enter debug mode. Either pull TCK low or enable the internal pull-ups in the WPMC and PIO controllers during board bring-up. Also ensure the NRST pin has a 10 kohm pull-up and 100 nF capacitor per the reference design; missing this capacitor causes brown-out reset failures.
USB DP/DM traces must be 90 ohm differential with respect to GND, length-matched to within 2 mm, and routed over a continuous ground plane to meet USB 2.0 Full-Speed compliance. CANH/CANL traces similarly require 120 ohm characteristic impedance and a common-mode choke near the transceiver for automotive EMC robustness. Keep high-speed signals away from the ADC analog inputs to avoid digital switching noise coupling.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 automotive grade is not explicitly qualified for this part; for AEC-Q100 automotive applications, consult Microchip's automotive-grade SAM V71/V70/S70 family.
