ATSAMA5D22A-CN - 500MHz Cortex-A5 MPU, 196-TFBGA | Microchip
MPN: ATSAMA5D22A-CN ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $16.2 | $16.20 |
| 10 | $14.55 | $145.50 |
| 100 | $12.85 | $1,285.00 |
| 500 | $11.4 | $5,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $9.95 | $9,950.00 |
ATSAMA5D22A-CN Overview
An ARM Cortex-A5 microprocessor is a 32-bit RISC application processor designed for industrial and IoT endpoints. MPU products of this class sit above microcontrollers in capability, running full operating systems (typically Linux) while providing external DDR memory, multiple high-speed peripherals, and advanced graphics. The SAMA5D2 family specifically emphasizes low power, hardware cryptography (AES, secure boot, OTP), and human-machine interface (HMI) features such as LCD, touch, and image-sensor interfaces. Positioned in the broader ARM ecosystem, Cortex-A5 MPs offer higher compute density than Cortex-M MCUs while remaining more power-efficient than Cortex-A7/A53 application processors.
Key features include ARM Cortex-A5 core at up to 500 MHz with NEON and FPU options, 16-bit DDR3/DDR3L/LPDDR2/LPDDR3 external memory interface, 2D graphics accelerator (GC320), integrated LCD controller up to WXGA resolution, dual CAN-FD, three HS USB 2.0 ports, 10/100 Ethernet MAC with 1588 support, hardware AES/SHA/TRNG secure boot, image-sensor interface, and a wide operating temperature range of -40 °C to +105 °C. The 196-ball TFBGA (10x10 mm) package supports industrial-grade reflow profiles.
Typical applications span industrial IoT gateways, building automation controllers, smart-home hubs, medical patient-monitoring terminals, point-of-sale systems, and ruggedized HMI panels. The on-chip AES and secure boot make it suitable for connected devices requiring tamper-resistant firmware, while the LCD controller and 2D accelerator enable graphical UIs without an external GPU.
When designing with the ATSAMA5D22A-CN, ensure the DDR3/LPDDR2 routing follows the SAMA5D2 hardware design guide for impedance-controlled length-matched traces, and provide the minimum 1.0 V core and 1.2/1.8 V DDR rails with proper decoupling. The device boots from QSPI or SD-card and supports seamless Linux mainline distribution.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the same SAMA5D2 family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAMA5D22A-CN — 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 ATSAMA5D22A-CN (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Ethernet, Operating Temperature, USB, CAN.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAMA5D22B-CN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D22A-CUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D23A-CNR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$11.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D21C-CUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$11.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D21B-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D225C-D1M-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$12.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D22A-CN Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | ARM Cortex-A5 (32-bit) |
| Maximum Core Frequency | 500 MHz |
| Cache | 32 KB I-cache, 32 KB D-cache |
| Internal SRAM | 128 KB |
| External Memory Bus | 16-bit DDR3/DDR3L/LPDDR2/LPDDR3 |
| ROM | 160 KB boot ROM |
| Graphics Accelerator | 2D (GC320) |
| LCD Controller | Yes, up to WXGA |
| Ethernet | 10/100 Mbps MAC (1 port) |
| USB | USB 2.0 + HSIC |
| CAN | CAN-FD controllers |
| Security | AES, SHA, TRNG, secure boot, OTP |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +105 C (extended) |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.2 V typical |
| I/O Supply Voltage | 3.3 V |
| Package | 196-ball TFBGA (10x10 mm) |
ATSAMA5D22A-CN 196-ball tfbga (10x10 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAMA5D22A-CN (196-ball tfbga (10x10 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 ATSAMA5D22A-CN.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAMA5D22A-CN is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial IoT Gateway, Building Automation Controller, Medical Patient-Monitoring Terminal, Point-of-Sale Terminal, Ruggedized HMI Panel, Smart Energy Gateway, Vehicle Telematics and Fleet Management.
Industrial IoT Gateway
The ATSAMA5D22A-CN's 500 MHz Cortex-A5 core, 10/100 Ethernet MAC, USB 2.0 with HSIC, and dual CAN-FD make it an ideal Linux-based industrial IoT gateway. It can run MQTT brokers, OPC-UA clients, and edge analytics while the hardware AES engine secures MQTT-over-TLS sessions without CPU overhead. The 105 C extended-temperature rating allows deployment in unventilated factory cabinets, and the 196-TFBGA package suits compact DIN-rail enclosure designs.
Recommended
Building Automation Controller
The ATSAMA5D22A-CN provides ample compute for BACnet, KNX, and Modbus gateway controllers used in building management systems. The dual CAN-FD ports interface with HVAC and elevator subsystems, while the LCD controller drives a local touchscreen for room-control terminals. Hardware secure boot and AES protect tenant credentials, and the 128 KB SRAM keeps real-time scheduling jitter low under Linux for time-sensitive control loops.
Recommended
Medical Patient-Monitoring Terminal
The ATSAMA5D22A-CN's Cortex-A5 core and 2D graphics accelerator drive bedside patient-monitoring displays with waveform rendering and touch input. Linux provides a secure platform for running patient-data applications with TLS encryption accelerated by the on-chip AES engine. The 105 C temperature range supports disinfection-rated enclosures, and the 196-TFBGA package enables thin, fanless tablet-style terminals with long battery life.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale Terminal
The ATSAMA5D22A-CN powers Linux-based POS terminals with secure boot, encrypted transactions, and multi-display support. The on-chip LCD controller drives the main cashier display while a secondary I2C/SPI-controlled display serves the customer-facing panel. Hardware AES accelerates EMV-chip card cryptography, and the dual CAN-FD ports can drive peripherals such as receipt printers or cash-drawer sensors in integrated retail systems.
Recommended
Ruggedized HMI Panel
The ATSAMA5D22A-CN powers industrial HMI panels with WXGA-resolution LCD output and 2D graphics for animated control screens. The hardware AES engine and secure boot meet IEC 62443 requirements for industrial cybersecurity, while the 105 C extended temperature rating and 196-TFBGA package support sealed IP67 enclosures. Its Linux support simplifies deployment of SCADA visualizations and OPC-UA clients on the plant floor.
Recommended
Smart Energy Gateway
The ATSAMA5D22A-CN aggregates data from smart meters, solar inverters, and battery storage systems via RS-485, CAN-FD, and Ethernet. The hardware AES engine secures DLMS/COSEM and Sunspec communications, and the 500 MHz Cortex-A5 runs local energy-management algorithms before forwarding data to the cloud. The 196-TFBGA package enables DIN-rail mounting in residential energy hubs.
Recommended
Vehicle Telematics and Fleet Management
The ATSAMA5D22A-CN's dual CAN-FD ports interface directly with vehicle OBD-II and CAN buses to capture telematics data in fleet-management systems. The hardware AES and secure boot protect firmware integrity and over-the-air updates, while the 105 C temperature rating tolerates under-dash automotive environments. The 2D graphics accelerator drives local driver-information displays without an external GPU.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAMA5D22A-CN — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAMA5D22B-CN | ATSAMA5D22A-CUR | ATSAMA5D23A-CNR | ATSAMA5D21C-CUR | ATSAMA5D21B-CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 196-TFBGA | 196-TFBGA - same | 196-TFBGA - same | 196-TFBGA - same | 196-TFBGA - same | 196-TFBGA - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | 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 | Cortex-A5 500 MHz |
| Internal SRAM | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB |
| CAN-FD Ports | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +105 C | -40 C to +105 C | -40 C to +105 C | -40 C to +105 C | -40 C to +105 C | -40 C to +105 C |
| Packaging Form | Tray | Tray | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tray |
| Silicon Revision | A | B (errata-fixed) | A | A | C | B |
Key Differentiators
- Same-footprint family with errata-fixed silicon revision (vs ATSAMA5D22B-CN)
- Higher CAN-FD port count than lower-tier SAMA5D2 devices (vs ATSAMA5D21B-CU)
- On-chip 2D graphics accelerator and LCD controller (vs ATSAMA5D21C-CUR)
Design Notes
The 196-TFBGA at 0.5 mm pitch requires laser-drilled micro-vias and an HDI PCB stack-up (typically 4-6 layers). Follow the Microchip SAMA5D2 hardware design guide for via-in-pad recommendations, ball-side land diameter, and solder-mask-defined vs non-solder-mask-defined pads. Plan for impedance-controlled 50 ohm SE / 90 ohm diff traces for USB HSIC, Ethernet, and DDR3 signals, with length-matching inside the DDR3 byte lanes per JEDEC specifications.
Provision separate LDO rails for VDDCORE (1.2 V, up to ~250 mA), VDDDDR (1.2-1.8 V depending on DDR type, up to 400 mA peak), VDDIOP (3.3 V for I/O), and VDDANA (3.3 V for PLL/USB PHY). Place at least 10x 100 nF X7R decoupling capacitors around the BGA perimeter plus 4.7 uF bulk caps within 5 mm of each supply pin. A power-rail sequencer or simple RC delay on the core rail relative to I/O rails prevents latch-up at power-on.
Estimated: At 500 MHz full Cortex-A5 load with 1.2 V core, the ATSAMA5D22A-CN consumes roughly 250 mW from the core rail and another 200-300 mW from DDR I/O at 533 MHz. Total SoC power ~500-600 mW. The 196-TFBGA exposes a small thermal pad array on the bottom side that should be soldered to a grounded copper pour on the top layer with thermal vias to inner planes. In still air at 25 C ambient, this typically yields theta_JA around 30-35 C/W - adequate for sealed enclosures without a heatsink at full industrial temperature.
Do not boot the ATSAMA5D22A-CN from NAND and QSPI simultaneously - configure the BMS (Boot Mode Select) pins correctly before reset deassertion. Enable the SAMA5D2's internal DDR calibration routine and store the calibration result in QSPI or eFuse to avoid lengthy DDR training on every boot. Always validate the secure-boot signature chain with the Microchip public key before locking the OTP; a locked device with the wrong key becomes unrecoverable.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliance per Microchip product page. Industrial 105 C grade only - not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive use, consult the automotive-grade SAMA5D27/28 variants. Halogen-free status not explicitly confirmed in verified data.
