ATSAMA5D23B-CNR - ARM Cortex-A5 500MHz MPU, 196-TFBGA | Microchip
MPN: ATSAMA5D23B-CNR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $17.5 | $17.50 |
| 10 | $15.75 | $157.50 |
| 100 | $13.5 | $1,350.00 |
| 500 | $11.8 | $5,900.00 |
| 1,000 | $10.25 | $10,250.00 |
ATSAMA5D23B-CNR Overview
An ARM Cortex-A5 MPU (microprocessor unit) is a 32-bit application-class processor core implementing the Armv7-A architecture, designed for low-power embedded applications requiring full operating system support (Linux, RTOS) and rich user interfaces. Positioned in the product taxonomy as MPU -> microprocessor -> application processor -> SoC, the Cortex-A5 provides an ideal balance of performance and power efficiency for industrial HMI, IoT gateways, and connected devices.
Key features include Arm TrustZone security extensions, NEON SIMD media engine for accelerated audio/video processing, and 8 Kbytes of ETM/ETB trace memory for real-time debugging. The integrated memory management unit (MMU) supports full virtual memory Linux distributions, while the configurable 128 Kbyte L2 cache can be repurposed as on-chip SRAM for latency-critical code or data paths. The peripheral set typically includes EMAC, USB, CAN-FD, and multiple UART/SPI/I2C instances, reducing external component count.
Typical applications span industrial HMI panels, IoT edge gateways, smart home controllers, building automation, point-of-sale terminals, and low-power Linux-based appliances. The combination of Cortex-A5 performance and Cortex-M4-class power efficiency (consumption can be optimized to single-digit mW/MHz in retention modes) makes it especially attractive for always-connected battery-aware systems. Industrial temperature grade supports deployment in harsh environments including factory automation and outdoor signage.
When designing with this device, careful PCB layout of the 196-ball TFBGA with 0.8 mm pitch is critical - microvia stack-ups and via-in-pad designs are strongly recommended. Decoupling strategy must follow the manufacturer's reference schematic, and DDR memory interface timing closure requires matched-length routing and proper termination.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, parametric data, and drop-in alternatives sourced from Microchip's SAMA5D2 family, providing context beyond what the manufacturer datasheet alone offers.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAMA5D23B-CNR — 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 ATSAMA5D23B-CNR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Ethernet, Core Architecture, USB, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAMA5D23A-CNR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$11.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D23B-CN
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAMA5D22C-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.14 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D22A-CNR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D22A-CN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D23B-CNR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | ARM Cortex-A5 (Armv7-A) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 500 MHz |
| Core Count | 1 |
| Data Bus Width | 32-bit |
| L1 Instruction Cache | 32 Kbytes |
| L1 Data Cache | 32 Kbytes |
| L2 Cache / SRAM | 128 Kbytes (configurable) |
| Internal ROM | 160 Kbytes |
| Internal SRAM | 128 Kbytes |
| NEON Media Engine | Yes |
| TrustZone | Yes (Arm TrustZone) |
| MMU | Yes (full virtual memory) |
| ETM / ETB Trace Memory | 8 Kbytes |
| Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC) | Embedded |
| Package | 196-ball TFBGA, 11x11 mm, 0.8 mm ball pitch |
| Operating Temperature Grade | Industrial |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Yes (Compliant) |
ATSAMA5D23B-CNR 196-ball tfbga, 11x11 mm, 0.8 mm ball pitch Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAMA5D23B-CNR (196-ball tfbga, 11x11 mm, 0.8 mm ball 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 ATSAMA5D23B-CNR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAMA5D23B-CNR is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial HMI Touch Panels, IoT Edge Gateways, Smart Home and Building Automation Hubs, Point-of-Sale and Payment Terminals, Connected Medical Devices, Industrial IoT Sensor Aggregation Nodes.
Industrial HMI Touch Panels
The ATSAMA5D23B-CNR is well-suited to industrial HMI panels because its integrated Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC) supports projected-capacitive sensing directly, eliminating the need for an external touch controller and reducing both BOM cost and PCB area. The 500 MHz Cortex-A5 with NEON engine enables Qt/QML-based graphical user interfaces with 60 fps rendering on LCD resolutions up to WXGA, while the MMU allows full Linux deployment. The 196-ball TFBGA's 0.8 mm pitch accommodates compact 3.5" to 7" display modules. Industrial temperature grade supports deployment in factory-floor environments. Power optimization modes (idle, retention) extend life in battery-backed HMIs.
Recommended
IoT Edge Gateways
For IoT edge gateways, the ATSAMA5D23B-CNR offers the right balance of compute (500 MHz Cortex-A5 with TrustZone) and connectivity peripherals (EMAC, USB, CAN-FD) needed to aggregate sensor data, run edge analytics, and forward filtered streams to the cloud. TrustZone isolates the secure element firmware from the application OS, critical for over-the-air update integrity. The 128 Kbytes of L2 cache configurable as SRAM enables zero-wait-state data paths for protocol stacks (MQTT, CoAP, LWM2M). Linux4SAM BSP and Device Tree support accelerate development. The 11x11 mm BGA footprint suits compact gateway enclosures.
Recommended
Smart Home and Building Automation Hubs
In smart home and building automation hubs, the ATSAMA5D23B-CNR runs full Linux for Zigbee/Z-Wave/Matter bridge logic while its Cortex-A5 efficiency keeps enclosure thermals low for fanless ceiling- or wall-mount designs. The embedded audio subsystem supports voice-control front-ends, and the rich peripheral set (USB for cellular/Wi-Fi modules, multiple UART/SPI for sensor expansion) reduces external component count. The 196-ball TFBGA with 0.8 mm pitch supports compact hub designs. Industrial temperature grade accommodates unheated equipment closets. TrustZone hardware isolation is increasingly important as Matter/Thread security models mature.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale and Payment Terminals
Point-of-sale and payment terminals benefit from the ATSAMA5D23B-CNR's hardware security through Arm TrustZone, which isolates PCI/PTS payment logic from general application code. The NEON engine accelerates TLS handshake and AES bulk encryption, reducing transaction latency at the checkout counter. The 128 Kbytes of L2-as-SRAM holds security-critical code in zero-wait-state memory. The 196-ball TFBGA 11x11 mm package supports compact handheld-terminal form factors. Industrial temperature grade handles outdoor deployment (vending, kiosks). The Peripheral Touch Controller simplifies integrated signature-pad designs.
Recommended
Connected Medical Devices
The ATSAMA5D23B-CNR's combination of Linux-capable Cortex-A5 compute and TrustZone isolation is well-suited to connected medical peripherals (patient monitors, diagnostic instruments, infusion-pump HMIs). NEON accelerates medical-imaging preprocessing (filtering, FFT), and the configurable 128 Kbytes of L2-as-SRAM provides deterministic interrupt latency for safety-critical loops. Industrial temperature grade supports clinical-environment reliability. The 196-ball TFBGA 0.8 mm pitch suits dense medical PCBs with multiple wireless modules. Linux4SAM's mainline support simplifies FDA/IEC 62304 software-lifecycle documentation.
Recommended
Industrial IoT Sensor Aggregation Nodes
In industrial IoT sensor aggregation nodes, the ATSAMA5D23B-CNR's Cortex-A5 500 MHz performance runs Linux-side protocol stacks (OPC-UA, MQTT-SN, Modbus-TCP) while the rich peripheral mix (multiple UART, SPI, I2C, CAN-FD) interfaces directly to industrial sensors and field buses. The 196-ball TFBGA's 11x11 mm 0.8 mm pitch supports compact DIN-rail or panel-mount enclosures. Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) handles factory environments. The 128 Kbyte L2 cache holds protocol stacks in zero-wait-state memory, and the embedded audio subsystem enables audio-event detection in predictive-maintenance nodes.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAMA5D23B-CNR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAMA5D23A-CNR | ATSAMA5D23B-CN | ATSAMA5D22C-CU | ATSAMA5D22A-CNR | ATSAMA5D22A-CN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| 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 |
| Core | Cortex-A5 500 MHz | Cortex-A5 500 MHz - same | Cortex-A5 500 MHz - same | Cortex-A5 500 MHz - same | Cortex-A5 500 MHz - same | Cortex-A5 500 MHz - same |
| L2 Cache / SRAM | 128 Kbytes | 128 Kbytes - same | 128 Kbytes - same | 128 Kbytes - same | 128 Kbytes - same | 128 Kbytes - same |
| TrustZone | Yes | Yes - same | Yes - same | Yes - same | Yes - same | Yes - same |
| HSIC Interface | Yes | Yes - same | Yes - same | No - software workaround | No - software workaround | No - software workaround |
| AES On-The-Fly | Yes | Yes - same | Yes - same | No | No | No |
| Peripheral Touch Controller | Yes | Yes - same | Yes - same | Yes - same | Yes - same | Yes - same |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial | Industrial - same | Industrial - same | Industrial - same | Industrial - same | Industrial - same |
| Packaging Form | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tray | Tray | Tape & Reel | Tray |
Key Differentiators
- Highest tier of SAMA5D2 family in same package (vs ATSAMA5D22A-CNR)
- Silicon revision B with latest errata fixes (vs ATSAMA5D23A-CNR)
- Industrial temperature grade with 196-ball TFBGA (vs ATSAMA5D27C-D5M-CU)
Design Notes
The 196-ball TFBGA with 0.8 mm ball pitch demands microvia-in-pad PCB technology. Use laser-drilled microvias (stacked or staggered 1-2 structures) on the top layer and high-density interconnect (HDI) stack-up to route escape patterns without dog-bone fanouts. Microchip's SAMA5D2 hardware design package includes reference PCB stack-ups and routing guidelines that should be reviewed before layout.
The ATSAMA5D23B-CNR integrates multiple power rails (VDDIN, VDDANA, VDDIO, VDDPLL, VDDBU) each requiring local bulk + bypass capacitors as specified in the datasheet's "Power Considerations" section. Use 100 nF X7R 0402 capacitors within 2 mm of each power pin and 4.7 uF-10 uF bulk caps per rail. For low-noise analog rails (VDDANA), add ferrite-bead filtering from the digital supply to avoid coupling noise into the ADC.
DDR2/LPDDR interfaces (when used with companion memory IC) require matched-length routing and proper termination as detailed in the SAMA5D2 hardware design guide. Impedance-controlled traces (50 ohm single-ended, 100 ohm differential for DDR_DQS pairs) are mandatory. Series-termination resistors may be required on data strobe pairs depending on memory topology; consult the reference schematic before deviating.
Avoid leaving NRST (active-low reset) floating; the datasheet mandates an external pull-up plus a 100 nF capacitor for proper power-on-reset behavior. Do not omit the 32.768 kHz low-frequency crystal on the SAMA5D2's RTC oscillator pins unless you can accept degraded RTC accuracy (the internal RC oscillator is much less accurate). Always program the proper boot configuration via the BMS pin before first power-up.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free status confirmed by Microchip product page; AEC-Q100 qualification is not applicable (industrial-grade MPU). Halogen-free status not stated in available web data.
