ATSAMA5D21C-CU - 500MHz Cortex-A5 MPU | Microchip 196-TFBGA
MPN: ATSAMA5D21C-CU ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $13.5 | $13.50 |
| 10 | $12.62 | $126.20 |
| 100 | $11.85 | $1,185.00 |
| 500 | $10.95 | $5,475.00 |
| 1,000 | $9.85 | $9,850.00 |
ATSAMA5D21C-CU Overview
An MPU (microprocessor unit) is a class of integrated circuit that integrates a CPU core, memory controllers, and a rich set of peripherals into a single System-in-Package (SiP). Unlike microcontrollers (MCUs), MPUs typically lack on-chip non-volatile memory and instead boot from external QSPI, eMMC, or SD flash, while running Linux or other high-level operating systems. The SAMA5D2 family sits within Microchip's portfolio of low-power Cortex-A5 application processors, between the lower-cost SAM9 series (ARM926) and the higher-end SAMA7 (Cortex-A7).
Key features include a 32-bit single-core ARM Cortex-A5 with NEON and FPU, hardware cryptography accelerators (AES, SHA, TRNG), advanced connectivity (Gigabit Ethernet with 1588 PTP, USB HS, CAN-FD, two SD/SDIO/MMC), 12-bit ADC, and a Class D audio amplifier. The SAMA5D2 integrates a sophisticated power management IC that enables backup mode consuming only 5 uA, dramatically extending battery life in always-aware edge devices.
The architecture combines Cortex-A5 efficiency with a hardware crypto subsystem supporting secure boot, secure storage, and tamper detection, making it suitable for payment terminals, access control, and IoT security applications. The SiP integrates up to 1 Gbit DDR2 or 2 Gbit LPDDR2 SDRAM directly in the package, simplifying PCB design and reducing BOM cost.
Typical applications include industrial HMI panels, smart energy gateways, barcode scanners, IoT edge nodes, point-of-sale terminals, building automation controllers, and connected medical devices. Its low-power backup mode and high peripheral integration make it ideal for battery-backed industrial sensors and remote IoT nodes.
When designing with this MPU, plan for an external boot memory (QSPI NOR or eMMC), provide a 3.3V main supply and 1.35V or 1.55V core supply, and ensure the DDR2/LPDDR2 routing follows the JEDEC layout guidelines. Designers should also evaluate the SAMA5D2 software ecosystem, which includes Linux mainline support, Yocto BSP, and AT91Bootstrap, accelerating time to production.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the SAMA5D2 family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, helping engineers evaluate the ATSAMA5D21C-CU for industrial IoT and HMI designs.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAMA5D21C-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 ATSAMA5D21C-CU (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Backup Mode Current, Mounting Type, External Memory Support, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAMA5D21B-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D22C-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.14 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D23C-CU
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAMA5D27C-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$11.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D28C-CU
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAMA5D21C-CU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Microchip Technology |
| Series | SAMA5D2 |
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-A5 |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| Bit Width | 32-bit |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 500 MHz |
| L1 Instruction Cache | 32 KB |
| L1 Data Cache | 32 KB |
| L2 Cache | 128 KB |
| Package | 196-TFBGA 11x11 mm, 0.8 mm pitch |
| Integrated DRAM | Up to 1 Gbit DDR2 or 2 Gbit LPDDR2 SDRAM (SiP) |
| External Memory Bus | DDR2/DDR3L/LPDDR2/LPDDR3, QSPI, eMMC, SD/MMC |
| Ethernet | 10/100/1000 Mbps with IEEE 1588 PTP |
| USB | USB HS Host + Device, USB FS Host + Device |
| CAN | 2x CAN-FD |
| Other Connectivity | 2x SD/SDIO/MMC, I2C, SPI, UART, I2S |
| ADC | 12-bit ADC |
| Graphics | LCD controller (up to 1024x768) |
| Crypto Accelerators | AES, SHA, TRNG, secure boot, tamper detection |
| Audio | Class D amplifier, I2S, S/PDIF |
| Backup Mode Current | 5 uA |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Grade | Industrial (green, MRLC) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (TFBGA) |
| MSL Level | 3 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
ATSAMA5D21C-CU 196-tfbga 11x11 mm, 0.8 mm pitch Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAMA5D21C-CU (196-tfbga 11x11 mm, 0.8 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 ATSAMA5D21C-CU.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAMA5D21C-CU is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial HMI Panel, IoT Edge Gateway, Smart Energy Meter, Point-of-Sale Terminal, Building Automation Controller, Connected Medical Device, Industrial Barcode Scanner.
Industrial HMI Panel
The ATSAMA5D21C-CU is ideally suited for industrial human-machine interface (HMI) panels ranging from 4-inch to 7-inch displays. Its 500 MHz Cortex-A5 with NEON and FPU runs Qt, LVGL, and Crank Storyboard GUI frameworks smoothly up to WVGA resolution, while the integrated LCD controller directly drives TFT panels without an external bridge chip. The 5 uA backup mode lets the panel wake on touch interrupt, preserving battery in portable HMI designs.
Recommended
IoT Edge Gateway
In IoT edge gateway designs, the ATSAMA5D21C-CU provides the Cortex-A5 performance needed to run Linux with Mosquitto MQTT or AWS Greengrass, while the Gigabit Ethernet with hardware 1588 PTP timestamps time-sensitive industrial traffic. The hardware AES/SHA accelerator handles TLS handshakes without CPU loading, and the dual CAN-FD interfaces connect directly to industrial sensors. Backup mode at 5 uA enables months of standby on a small battery.
Recommended
Smart Energy Meter
Smart electricity, water, and gas meters benefit from the ATSAMA5D21C-CU's low power architecture and integrated SiP memory. The Cortex-A5 runs DLMS/COSEM or wireless M-Bus stacks while the 12-bit ADC samples current and voltage sensors. Hardware tamper detection pins trigger secure memory wipe on intrusion, and the 5 uA backup keeps the meter RTC running for years on a single coin cell, meeting IEC 62056 smart-metering requirements.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale Terminal
Point-of-sale (POS) terminals use the ATSAMA5D21C-CU's hardware crypto subsystem to process PCI-PTS certified payment transactions. The Cortex-A5 runs Linux with payment applications while the AES engine accelerates EMV chip card cryptography. The LCD controller drives the merchant-facing display, and the capacitive touch interface responds directly via the integrated touch controller. Integrated SiP memory reduces BOM for cost-sensitive POS designs.
Recommended
Building Automation Controller
Building automation controllers leverage the ATSAMA5D21C-CU's rich peripheral set to integrate BACnet, KNX, Modbus, and BACnet/IP over a single processor. The two CAN-FD ports connect to HVAC and elevator systems, the Ethernet port ties into building networks, and the Class D amplifier drives audio for intercom and announcements. Backup mode extends battery life in wireless sensors deployed throughout the building envelope.
Recommended
Connected Medical Device
Connected medical devices such as patient monitors, infusion pumps, and diagnostic readers use the ATSAMA5D21C-CU's hardware isolation between secure boot, secure storage, and the main Linux runtime. The Cortex-A5 with NEON runs Qt-based medical UIs and HL7 FHIR stacks, while tamper detection pins satisfy FDA cybersecurity guidance. The Class D amplifier provides alarm tones, and the 5 uA backup keeps the RTC alive for time-stamped audit logs.
Recommended
Industrial Barcode Scanner
Industrial barcode scanners and machine-vision readers benefit from the ATSAMA5D21C-CU's 500 MHz Cortex-A5 with NEON to run OpenCV and ZXing decode libraries. The hardware crypto secures the wireless link to warehouse management systems, and the 12-bit ADC reads auxiliary analog sensors (proximity, ambient light). The integrated SiP memory reduces PCB footprint, ideal for handheld scanner form factors.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAMA5D21C-CU — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAMA5D21B-CU | ATSAMA5D22C-CU | ATSAMA5D23C-CU | ATSAMA5D27C-CU | ATSAMA5D28C-CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 196-TFBGA (11x11 mm) | 196-TFBGA (11x11 mm) - same | 196-TFBGA (11x11 mm) - same | 196-TFBGA (11x11 mm) - same | 196-TFBGA (11x11 mm) - same | 196-TFBGA (11x11 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| CPU Core | ARM Cortex-A5 single core | ARM Cortex-A5 single core | ARM Cortex-A5 single core | ARM Cortex-A5 single core | ARM Cortex-A5 single core | ARM Cortex-A5 single/dual core |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 500 MHz | 500 MHz | 500 MHz | 500 MHz | 1 GHz | 1 GHz |
| Integrated SiP Memory | 1 Gbit DDR2 / 2 Gbit LPDDR2 | 1 Gbit DDR2 / 2 Gbit LPDDR2 | 1 Gbit DDR2 / 2 Gbit LPDDR2 | 1 Gbit DDR2 / 2 Gbit LPDDR2 | 1 Gbit DDR3L / 2 Gbit LPDDR3 | 1 Gbit DDR3L / 2 Gbit LPDDR3 |
| Hardware Video Decode | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2D GPU | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Backup Mode Current | 5 uA | 5 uA | 5 uA | 5 uA | 5 uA | 5 uA |
Key Differentiators
- Highest cost-optimized 500 MHz variant in SAMA5D2 family (vs ATSAMA5D22C-CU)
- Lowest power entry point with 5 uA backup mode (vs ATSAMA5D27C-CU)
- Industrial temperature grade with full SiP memory integration (vs ATSAMA5D23C-CU)
- Drop-in compatible with previous silicon revision (vs ATSAMA5D21B-CU)
Design Notes
The ATSAMA5D21C-CU requires three main power rails: VDDCORE (1.1-1.32V), VDDIO (3.3V) and a backup battery rail (VDDBU). Use Microchip's recommended PMIC ACT8865 or equivalent with sequencing control. Estimated: typical active current at 500 MHz is around 250 mA on VDDCORE; peak loads during LCD refresh can push this to 400 mA. The 5 uA backup mode requires the RTC and tamper logic to remain powered while the main rails are off.
The 196-TFBGA package uses 0.8 mm ball pitch, requiring laser-drilled micro vias and 4-layer PCB with continuous GND plane under the BGA. Route DDR2/LPDDR2 signals on the top layer with matched-length traces (within 25 mils) per JEDEC JESD79-2F DDR2 layout guidelines. Provide at least 4 thermal vias under the center balls to dissipate up to 1.5 W in continuous operation. Estimated: theta_JA is approximately 25 C/W with proper via array.
Do not boot the ATSAMA5D21C-CU without a valid boot memory image on QSPI, SD, or eMMC - it will halt in ROM monitor waiting for SAM-BA commands. Ensure the SAMA5D2 BSP boot configuration matches your boot media (BOOT_CFG pins). For secure boot, sign your at91bootstrap image with the OTP-stored public key before production programming. Failure to do so will brick the part after secure boot is locked.
Estimated: At 500 MHz with both Cortex-A5 core and LCD controller active, internal dissipation is approximately 1.0-1.5 W. The 196-TFBGA has no exposed pad; cooling relies entirely on the BGA ball array into inner PCB copper planes. Keep ambient below +85C industrial limit and ensure continuous GND plane coverage under the device to spread heat. Reduce CPU clock to 250 MHz for fanless enclosures above +70C.
The Gigabit Ethernet MII/GMII/RGMII signals are 250 MHz DDR at 1 Gbps and require strict impedance matching (50 ohm single-ended, 100 ohm differential for SERDES variants). Series-terminate clock and data lines at the ATSAMA5D21C-CU balls with 22-33 ohm resistors depending on trace length. Use a 4-layer stack-up with 8 mil dielectric between top signals and the first ground plane to maintain 50 ohm controlled impedance.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C). Not AEC-Q100 qualified - the ATSAMA5D2 family targets industrial, not automotive applications. Use SAMA7 or SAM3N for AEC-Q100 automotive requirements.
