ATSAMA5D21A-CU - ARM Cortex-A5 MPU 500MHz 196-TFBGA | Microchip
MPN: ATSAMA5D21A-CU ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.4 | $18.40 |
| 10 | $17.05 | $170.50 |
| 100 | $15.38 | $1,538.00 |
| 500 | $13.95 | $6,975.00 |
| 1,000 | $12.5 | $12,500.00 |
ATSAMA5D21A-CU Overview
An ARM Cortex-A5 microprocessor is a 32-bit RISC application processor core built on the ARMv7-A architecture that executes operating systems such as Linux via a memory management unit (MMU). It sits hierarchically above microcontrollers in compute capability, offering application-processor-class performance with on-chip FPU, NEON media engine, and rich peripheral integration for HMI, edge connectivity, and industrial gateways.
Key features include the 500 MHz Cortex-A5 core with ARM NEON and FPU, hardware cryptography acceleration (AES, SHA, TRNG), dual CAN-FD controllers, dual Ethernet GMAC with 1588 PTP, USB 2.0 high-speed host and device, and a 12-bit ADC. The SAMA5D21A-CU variant is rated for industrial temperature range (-40C to +85C), distinguishing it from the commercial-temperature -CN suffix. It supports 24-bit display output via LCD controller and camera input through the CSI interface, making it well-suited for HMI panels.
Architecturally, the SAMA5D2 family uses a single-core Cortex-A5 implementation with 32 KB instruction and 32 KB data caches plus a 128 KB system SRAM that can be used as a tightly coupled memory for deterministic interrupt latency. The advanced interrupt controller (AIC) and low-power modes (Idle, Ultra-Low-power, Backup, and Shutdown) with RTC retention allow deep-sleep operation under 5 µA.
Typical applications include industrial IoT gateways, HMI panels with capacitive touch, building automation controllers, smart energy concentrators, and Linux-based edge appliances. The wide memory interface and dual CAN-FD make it equally appropriate for automotive telematics, fleet management, and point-of-sale terminals.
When designing with this device, ensure proper DDR signal routing with matched lengths and reference the Microchip ATSAMA5D2 Xplained Ultra board design files for validated power, decoupling, and QSPI boot layouts. The 0.75 mm pitch TFBGA requires PCB fabrication with laser-drilled microvias or 0.1 mm trace/space rules.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAMA5D21A-CU — 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 ATSAMA5D21A-CU (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Ethernet, USB, Mounting Type, CAN.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAMA5D22A-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D23A-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D21C-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D27A-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.83 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D26A-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$16.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D21A-CUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$13.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D21A-CU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Microchip Technology |
| Series | SAMA5D2 |
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-A5 |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| Core Speed | 500 MHz |
| FPU | Yes |
| NEON | Yes |
| L1 Cache | 32 KB I-cache + 32 KB D-cache |
| Internal SRAM | 128 KB |
| Package | 196-TFBGA (CSBGA) |
| Pitch | 0.75 mm |
| Operating Voltage | 1.2 V core |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Supply Type | Tray |
| Compliance | RoHS compliant |
ATSAMA5D21A-CU 196-tfbga (csbga) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAMA5D21A-CU (196-tfbga (csbga) 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 ATSAMA5D21A-CU.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAMA5D21A-CU is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial IoT Gateway, HMI Touch Panel, Building Automation Controller, Smart Energy Concentrator, Automotive Telematics, Point-of-Sale Terminal, Edge Sensor Hub.
Industrial IoT Gateway
The ATSAMA5D21A-CU suits industrial IoT gateways because its 500 MHz Cortex-A5 with NEON delivers protocol-conversion throughput for MQTT, OPC-UA, and Modbus simultaneously while Linux mainline support ensures TLS 1.3 and modern security stacks. The dual Ethernet GMAC with 1588 PTP hardware timestamping enables synchronized data aggregation across distributed PLCs and sensors, while hardware AES/SHA/TRNG acceleration offloads cryptographic work from the CPU. Operating at -40C to +85C, the device withstands factory-floor temperature swings without active cooling, and the 196-TFBGA package fits inside compact DIN-rail enclosures where PCB real estate is at a premium.
Recommended
HMI Touch Panel
The integrated LCD controller supporting up to 1024x768 resolution and the CSI camera interface enable the ATSAMA5D21A-CU to drive color TFT displays with capacitive touch overlay in human-machine interface panels. Its NEON engine accelerates Qt and LVGL graphical frameworks at 30+ FPS for smooth menu animations, while the DDR2/DDR3L controller provides the framebuffer bandwidth needed for high-refresh displays. With -40C to +85C operation, it tolerates the thermal load of sealed industrial enclosures, and the 128 KB internal SRAM can hold the GUI buffer for instant screen updates during heavy network traffic.
Recommended
Building Automation Controller
For HVAC and building automation controllers, the ATSAMA5D21A-CU provides dual CAN-FD interfaces for BACnet MS/TP and proprietary fieldbus traffic, while dual Ethernet ports support BACnet/IP and Modbus TCP server functions. The 500 MHz Cortex-A5 runs full Linux with Node-RED or OpenMUC stack, enabling both custom logic and web-based configuration interfaces. Industrial temperature rating allows installation in unconditioned electrical closets, and the low-power modes with RTC retention reduce standby consumption below 50 µA for battery-backed sensor nodes within the same building management network.
Recommended
Smart Energy Concentrator
The ATSAMA5D21A-CU's hardware AES and SHA accelerators deliver secure DLMS/COSEM communication for smart-meter data aggregation, while its 500 MHz core performs real-time tariff calculation and grid-event timestamping using 1588 PTP. DDR2/DDR3L support provides sufficient memory for processing 200+ concurrent meter sessions, and the e.MMC interface accommodates local data buffering during communication outages. With industrial temperature grade and long-term Microchip product support, it is suitable for deployment in outdoor meter cabinets across utility-scale smart-grid projects.
Recommended
Automotive Telematics
Although not AEC-Q100 qualified, the ATSAMA5D21A-CU's industrial temperature range and dual CAN-FD controllers are appropriate for non-safety-critical telematics such as fleet management and asset tracking modules. The Cortex-A5 with NEON decodes H.264 video for driver-facing cameras at modest resolution, while the LCD controller drives 7-inch dashboard displays. DDR3L support and Linux mainline long-term support (LTS) kernels reduce maintenance burden over the typical 10-year automotive lifecycle of telematics hardware.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale Terminal
POS terminals benefit from the ATSAMA5D21A-CU's combination of secure boot via hardware crypto, dual Ethernet for payment-network redundancy, and USB 2.0 high-speed for barcode scanners and receipt printers. The 500 MHz core with FPU performs EMV chip-card cryptographic verification in under 100 ms, while the LCD controller drives the customer-facing color display. Industrial temperature rating handles the heat of enclosed countertop terminals, and the 196-TFBGA package's compact footprint enables the slim form factors demanded by retail environments.
Recommended
Edge Sensor Hub
The ATSAMA5D21A-CU's dual Ethernet with hardware PTP, dual CAN-FD, and 12-bit ADC make it a capable edge sensor hub aggregating multiple fieldbuses and analog sensors into a single protocol-conversion node. Its deep-sleep modes with RTC retention under 5 µA allow battery-powered installations that wake periodically to transmit telemetry. The 500 MHz performance runs lightweight ML inference on TensorFlow Lite Micro for anomaly detection, while Linux mainline support simplifies OTA update infrastructure across distributed sensor networks.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAMA5D21A-CU — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAMA5D22A-CU | ATSAMA5D23A-CU | ATSAMA5D21C-CU | ATSAMA5D27A-CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 196-TFBGA (CSBGA) | 196-TFBGA - same | 196-TFBGA - same | 196-TFBGA - same | 196-TFBGA - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core | Cortex-A5 500 MHz | Cortex-A5 500 MHz | Cortex-A5 500 MHz | Cortex-A5 500 MHz | Cortex-A5 500 MHz |
| Internal SRAM | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB |
| Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Memory Interface | DDR2/DDR3L/LPDDR2/LPDDR3 | DDR2/DDR3L/LPDDR2/LPDDR3 + 16-bit | DDR2/DDR3L/LPDDR2/LPDDR3 | DDR2/DDR3L/LPDDR2/LPDDR3 | DDR2/DDR3L/LPDDR2/LPDDR3 |
| Ethernet GMAC | 2x with 1588 PTP | 2x with 1588 PTP | 2x with 1588 PTP | 2x with 1588 PTP | 2x with 1588 PTP |
| CAN-FD | 2x | 2x | 2x | 2x | 2x |
| Hardware Crypto | AES/SHA/TRNG | AES/SHA/TRNG | AES/SHA/TRNG + accelerator | AES/SHA/TRNG | AES/SHA/TRNG |
Key Differentiators
- Mainline Linux support with long-term maintenance (vs ATSAMA5D21A-CU vs older SAMA5D3)
- Industrial temperature range in standard ordering code (vs ATSAMA5D21A-CU vs ATSAMA5D21C-CU)
- 0.75 mm pitch TFBGA with full SAMA5D2 pinout (vs ATSAMA5D21A-CU vs ATSAMA5D22A-CU)
Design Notes
Estimated: The 196-TFBGA at 0.75 mm pitch requires HDI PCB fabrication with laser-drilled microvias (typically 0.1 mm finished). Matched-length DDR routing within 50 mil tolerance is critical; use the Microchip SAMA5D2 Xplained Ultra reference design as a starting point. Place 100 nF decoupling capacitors within 2 mm of each power pin, and provide at least one solid ground plane directly under the BGA to control return paths for the high-speed DDR and Ethernet signals.
The SAMA5D2 core requires a stable 1.2 V supply with tight tolerance (<±3%) capable of delivering 500 mA peak current during NEON-accelerated workloads. Use a buck regulator with at least 1.5 MHz switching frequency and feed the core via a 10 µF ceramic + 100 nF decoupling pair. The I/O rails (3.3 V, 1.8 V) should be sequenced after the 1.2 V rail per Microchip power-up guidelines to prevent latch-up.
Estimated: At 500 MHz full load the SAMA5D21 dissipates approximately 1.5 W via the TFBGA package. With no heatsink, the junction temperature rise depends heavily on PCB copper area - provide at least 4 square inches of 4-layer copper pour connected to the BGA thermal balls to keep Tj below 110C at 85C ambient. For sealed enclosures, derate the clock or add a small aluminum heatsink.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for safety-critical automotive designs consider SAMRH71 or SAMV71 with AEC-Q100 qualification. Lead-free reflow profile per JEDEC J-STD-020.
