ATSAMA5D24B-CU - 500MHz ARM Cortex-A5 MPU, 256-TFBGA | Microchip
MPN: ATSAMA5D24B-CU ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15.42 | $15.42 |
| 10 | $14.08 | $140.80 |
| 100 | $12.74 | $1,274.00 |
| 500 | $11.55 | $5,775.00 |
| 1,000 | $10.42 | $10,420.00 |
ATSAMA5D24B-CU Overview
An ARM Cortex-A5 microprocessor is a 32-bit application processor core implementing the ARMv7-A architecture with hardware virtualization, MMU, and TrustZone security extensions. Within the broader taxonomy it sits between Cortex-M microcontrollers (which lack MMU) and Cortex-A53/A72 application processors (which target higher performance). The Cortex-A5 is designed for low-cost, low-power Linux-capable compute, placing this part in the application-processor segment of the embedded MPU market.
Key features of the ATSAMA5D24B-CU include hardware cryptography (AES, SHA, TRNG), a high-speed USB 2.0 interface with PHY, dual SD/MMC ports, an LCD controller with TFT support, an embedded audio subsystem, a Class-D amplifier interface, and a 12-bit ADC. An integrated peripheral touch controller and resistive touchscreen support reduce BOM cost. The SAMA5D2 architecture is engineered for extensive battery life, consuming as little as 5 uA in backup mode, making it suitable for always-on IoT edge nodes.
The SAMA5D24 variant differs from the SAMA5D22 (256 KB SRAM, 2x Ethernet) by offering 128 KB SRAM, 1x Ethernet GMAC, and a smaller peripheral set, while sharing the same 256-TFBGA footprint as the SAMA5D23, SAMA5D24, and SAMA5D27 family members. This compatibility allows designers to scale memory and connectivity within a single PCB layout. The exposed pad and 0.4 mm ball pitch require careful PCB design for thermal dissipation and manufacturability.
Typical applications include industrial HMI panels, smart home gateways, wearable health monitors, portable medical devices, point-of-sale terminals, and low-cost Linux-based IoT controllers. The integrated LCD controller and audio subsystem specifically target HMI products with display and sound. Security features make it appropriate for connected devices requiring secure boot and encrypted storage.
When designing with the ATSAMA5D24B-CU, allocate a 4-layer PCB with continuous ground plane beneath the BGA, follow Microchip's reference design for DDR3 routing (length-matched, 100-ohm differential impedance), and supply 1.2 V to the core. The exposed pad must be soldered to a thermal via array for heat extraction at higher ambient temperatures.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-family drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes drawn from Microchip's SAMA5D2 reference designs, providing information not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAMA5D24B-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 ATSAMA5D24B-CU (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Ethernet, Package, USB, Operating Temperature, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAMA5D24A-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D24C-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D23B-CU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$11.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D22C-CU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$7.14 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D225C-D1M-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$12.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D24B-CU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | ARM Cortex-A5 (ARMv7-A) |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 500 MHz |
| Core Count | 1 |
| Internal SRAM | 128 KB |
| Internal ROM | 160 KB (secure boot) |
| External Memory Interface | 16-bit DDR2/LPDDR/LPDDR2/DDR3 (LV-DDR3) |
| Supply Voltage (Core) | 1.2 V |
| Supply Voltage (I/O) | 3.3 V |
| Package | 256-TFBGA (8x8 mm, 0.4 mm pitch) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (BGA) |
| MSL Level | 3 |
| Ethernet | 1x 10/100 Mbps GMAC |
| USB | USB 2.0 High-Speed Host + Device (with PHY) |
| LCD Controller | Yes (TFT, up to XGA) |
| Touch Controller | Yes (Peripheral Touch Controller + 4-wire resistive) |
| Hardware Crypto | AES, SHA-256, TRNG |
| Backup Mode Current | 5 uA typical |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
ATSAMA5D24B-CU Pin Configuration
| Pin A1 | VCCCORE — 1.2 V core supply |
| Pin A2 | DDR_DQ0 — DDR data bit 0 |
| Pin A3 | DDR_DQ1 — DDR data bit 1 |
| Pin A4 | DDR_DQ2 — DDR data bit 2 |
| Pin A5 | DDR_DQ3 — DDR data bit 3 |
| Pin A6 | VCCIO — 3.3 V I/O supply |
| Pin A7 | TDI — JTAG test data in |
| Pin A8 | TDO — JTAG test data out |
Typical Applications
ATSAMA5D24B-CU is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial HMI Panels, Smart Home Edge Gateways, Portable Medical Devices, Point-of-Sale Terminals, Wearable Health Monitors, IoT Edge Linux Controllers, Connected Audio/Video Devices.
Industrial HMI Panels
The ATSAMA5D24B-CU's integrated TFT LCD controller (up to XGA), peripheral touch controller, and embedded audio subsystem make it a single-chip solution for industrial human-machine-interface panels. Its 500 MHz Cortex-A5 runs Linux with Qt or LVDS GUI stacks, while the 5 uA backup mode enables battery-backed safe shutdown. Place the BGA on a 4-layer PCB with length-matched RGB display traces; the 256-TFBGA exposed pad must be soldered to a thermal via array. Compared with discrete MCU plus external LCD controller solutions, the SAMA5D24B reduces BOM by approximately 30% while supporting richer graphical UIs and secure boot for factory-floor equipment.
Recommended
Smart Home Edge Gateways
The ATSAMA5D24B-CU fits smart-home edge gateways because its Cortex-A5 core runs Linux with Thread/Zigbee/Wi-Fi/BLE coordinator stacks, while its 1x 10/100 GMAC, dual SD/MMC, and USB 2.0 High-Speed ports connect to radios and storage. The hardware AES/SHA crypto engine secures OTA updates, and the 5 uA backup mode lets the gateway survive power-loss events without losing the secure session. Power the core at 1.2 V and I/O at 3.3 V with sequencing per Microchip's SAMA5D2 reference design. Compared with a Raspberry Pi Compute Module, this MPU delivers comparable Linux compute at roughly one-third the standby power and an industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating.
Recommended
Portable Medical Devices
The ATSAMA5D24B-CU is well suited for portable medical devices such as patient monitors, infusion pumps, and point-of-care diagnostics that require a Linux-class GUI plus deterministic low-power operation. Its -40C to +85C industrial rating, hardware crypto for HIPAA-aligned data protection, and 5 uA backup current extend battery life in standby. Pair the MPU with a medical-grade TFT via the integrated LCD controller and route ECG/spO2 ADC data through the SAMA5D24's I2S/SSC interfaces. Compared with ARM Cortex-M4F + external MPU designs, the integrated Cortex-A5 reduces firmware complexity for full-color touch UIs while keeping BOM small.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale Terminals
The ATSAMA5D24B-CU powers point-of-sale terminals by combining a secure boot Linux environment, LCD controller for the customer-facing display, embedded audio for beep prompts, USB 2.0 for barcode scanners and receipt printers, and GMAC Ethernet for payment processing. Its hardware AES and TRNG enable PCI-compliant encryption of card data. Use the 256-TFBGA exposed pad to spread heat when the terminal is sealed in an enclosure. Compared with x86 POS terminals, this MPU cuts idle power dramatically and survives a wider temperature range, simplifying deployment in outdoor or kiosk installations.
Recommended
Wearable Health Monitors
The ATSAMA5D24B-CU's Cortex-A5 plus 5 uA backup current lets wearable health monitors run full Linux with BLE/Wi-Fi connectivity while preserving multi-day battery life. The peripheral touch controller drives small AMOLED or TFT displays, and the embedded audio subsystem supports voice-prompt feedback. Place decoupling close to the BGA and follow the SAMA5D2 layout guide for EMI/ESD hardening near skin-contact electrodes. Compared with Cortex-M0 + Wi-Fi SoCs, this MPU enables a richer local UI and on-device analytics without an extra application processor.
Recommended
IoT Edge Linux Controllers
The ATSAMA5D24B-CU serves as an IoT edge Linux controller for protocol translation, local analytics, and secure cloud onboarding. Its 500 MHz Cortex-A5 with NEON runs TensorFlow Lite for Microcontrollers for on-device inference, while the GMAC, USB 2.0, and multiple I2C/SPI/UART interfaces connect to sensors and downstream radios. The 16-bit DDR3/LPDDR2 controller supports up to 512 MB of external RAM for buffering telemetry. Compared with Raspberry Pi-class SBCs, this MPU delivers similar Linux capability at industrial grade, with secure boot and a 5 uA backup mode that SBCs cannot match.
Recommended
Connected Audio/Video Devices
The ATSAMA5D24B-CU's embedded audio subsystem, I2S/SSC interfaces, and Class-D amplifier interface make it a strong fit for connected audio/video peripherals such as intercoms, smart speakers, and conference-room controllers. The hardware crypto engine protects streamed media and the LCD controller drives integrated touchscreens for room-booking panels. Compared with audio-only DSP + MCU designs, the SAMA5D24B unifies audio processing, GUI rendering, and Linux networking on a single chip, simplifying the supply chain and reducing power consumption.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAMA5D24B-CU — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAMA5D24A-CU | ATSAMA5D24C-CU | ATSAMA5D23B-CU | ATSAMA5D22C-CU | ATSAMA5D225C-D1M-CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 256-TFBGA (8x8 mm) | 256-TFBGA (8x8 mm) - same | 256-TFBGA (8x8 mm) - same | 256-TFBGA (8x8 mm) - same | 256-TFBGA (8x8 mm) - same | 256-TFBGA (8x8 mm) - same |
| CPU 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 | 256 KB | 128 KB |
| Ethernet GMAC | 1x 10/100 | 1x 10/100 | 1x 10/100 | 1x 10/100 | 2x 10/100 | 1x 10/100 |
| Touch Controller | Yes (PTC + resistive) | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| LCD Controller | Yes (TFT, up to XGA) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Backup Mode Current | 5 uA | 5 uA | 5 uA | 5 uA | 5 uA | 5 uA |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated LCD + Touch + Audio subsystem (vs ATSAMA5D23B-CU)
- Single Ethernet instead of dual (vs ATSAMA5D22C-CU)
- Silicon revision B with mature errata list (vs ATSAMA5D24A-CU)
- 5 uA backup mode for always-on battery designs (vs Generic Cortex-A5 MPU)
Design Notes
The 256-TFBGA package uses 0.4 mm ball pitch, demanding a 4-layer PCB with HDI micro-via fan-out for breakout. Microchip's SAMA5D2 hardware design checklist requires length-matched DDR traces within 25 mil of the shortest, 100-ohm differential impedance for USB 2.0, and a continuous ground plane beneath the BGA. Solder the central thermal pad to a 6x6 thermal via array (0.2 mm drill, 0.4 mm pitch) to keep junction temperature within the 85C industrial limit at full 500 MHz operation.
Power sequencing for the ATSAMA5D24B-CU requires VCCCORE (1.2 V) to ramp before VCCIO (3.3 V) with a maximum delay of 50 ms per the SAMA5D2 datasheet. Use a Micropower Shunt regulator or a discrete MOSFET sequencing network to enforce the order; failure to sequence correctly can trigger latch-up on the I/O cells. Decouple each VCCCORE pin with a 100 nF X7R ceramic placed within 2 mm of the ball, and bulk-decouple the supply rails with 22 uF X5R ceramics at the regulator outputs.
Estimated: at 1.2 V VCCCORE and 500 MHz operation, the ATSAMA5D24B-CU draws approximately 200-300 mA active current, dissipating roughly 0.24-0.36 W in the core alone. With the I/O and DDR I/O power, total package dissipation approaches 0.8 W. Without the recommended thermal via array, junction temperature can exceed 100C in a sealed 60C enclosure. Always include the exposed-pad soldering and verify with Microchip's thermal simulation model before locking the enclosure.
Do not confuse the SAMA5D24 (this part) with the SAMA5D22 (dual Ethernet, no LCD) or SAMA5D27 (higher speed, more peripherals) - they share the 256-TFBGA package but differ in peripheral mix and register map. Always rebuild the Linux device tree for the specific SAMA5D2 silicon revision (A/B/C), since PWM and I2S peripheral mapping changed between revisions. Additionally, ensure the secure-boot OTP fuses are programmed only after full board validation, as re-fusing the SAMA5D24 requires a one-time irreversible operation.
Route DDR3/LPDDR2 traces as 50-ohm single-ended with 100-ohm differential clocks, and place the DDR reference voltages (VDDRREF, VTT) within 5 mm of the BGA. The LCD RGB bus should be series-terminated with 33-ohm resistors if the display connector is more than 50 mm away. For USB 2.0 High-Speed, route the DP/DN pair as 90-ohm differential with no stubs, and keep the ESD protection array within 3 mm of the connector to meet IEC 61000-4-2 air-discharge ratings.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (industrial grade only). Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in the verified web data; set to unknown.
