ATSAMA5D26B-CNR - 500MHz Cortex-A5 MPU, 289-LFBGA | Microchip
MPN: ATSAMA5D26B-CNR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $14.5 | $14.50 |
| 10 | $13.2 | $132.00 |
| 100 | $11.85 | $1,185.00 |
| 500 | $10.4 | $5,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $9.1 | $9,100.00 |
ATSAMA5D26B-CNR Overview
A microprocessor (MPU) is an integrated circuit that contains a full central processing unit capable of running an operating system such as Linux, in contrast to a microcontroller (MCU) which typically executes bare-metal or RTOS code from on-chip flash. The Cortex-A5 is an Armv7-A application-class core, and the SAMA5D2 family positions the ATSAMA5D26B-CNR in the power-management, connectivity, and human-machine-interface (HMI) tiers of Microchip's embedded portfolio.
Key features include 500 MHz core frequency with Arm NEON and FPU, 128 KB SRAM, 2D graphics LCD controller supporting resolutions up to 2048x2048, dual EMAC with IEEE 1588 support, USB 2.0 high-speed host and device, six FLEXCOMs (USART/SPI/TWI), two CAN-FD controllers, and an embedded audio subsystem with SSC and I2S interfaces. A simple power-management scheme and 0.8 mm ball-pitch package reduce PCB design complexity.
The device is built on a low-power process and integrates a hardware cryptographic accelerator, secure boot, tamper detection, and a true random number generator, making it suitable for connected industrial equipment where secure firmware update is required. Industrial temperature range (-40C to +85C) and long-life silicon guarantee ten-year product support typical of Microchip's MPU families.
Typical applications include industrial gateways, building automation controllers, HMI panels, low-end audio/video consumer appliances, and connected edge nodes. The dual CAN-FD and 2D LCD controller make the part well suited to vehicle telematics and agricultural equipment where deterministic fieldbus and graphical user interfaces are required.
When designing with this MPU, allocate a 4-layer PCB with controlled-impedance routing for DDR3L and USB, and provide a low-jitter 24 MHz crystal plus internal PLL programming per Microchip's SAMA5D2 hardware design checklist. The Boot Assistant ROM (AT25/QSPI) and image signing keys must be provisioned before production.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the SAMA5D2 family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAMA5D26B-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 ATSAMA5D26B-CNR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, External Memory Support, Core Architecture, Ethernet, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAMA5D26C-CNR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D23B-CNR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.25 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D23A-CNR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$11.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D22A-CNR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D21B-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D26B-CNR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | Arm Cortex-A5 (Armv7-A) with NEON and FPU |
| Maximum Core Frequency | 500 MHz |
| Core Count | 1 |
| Internal SRAM | 128 KB |
| External Memory Support | DDR2/DDR3L/LPDDR2/LPDDR3, QSPI, e.MMC, NAND |
| Package | 289-LFBGA (14x14x1.4 mm) |
| Ball Pitch | 0.8 mm |
| Graphics Controller | 2D LCD controller, up to 2048x2048 |
| Ethernet | 2x EMAC with IEEE 1588 (10/100 Mbps) |
| USB | USB 2.0 High-Speed Host and Device |
| Serial Interfaces | 6x FLEXCOM (USART/SPI/TWI), 2x CAN-FD |
| Audio | Embedded audio subsystem (SSC, I2S) |
| Security | Crypto accelerator, secure boot, tamper detection, TRNG |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (BGA) |
| MSL Level | 3 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
ATSAMA5D26B-CNR 289-lfbga (14x14x1.4 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAMA5D26B-CNR (289-lfbga (14x14x1.4 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 ATSAMA5D26B-CNR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAMA5D26B-CNR is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial IoT Gateway, Building Automation Controller, Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Panel, Connected Edge Appliance, Vehicle Telematics Control Unit, Low-End Multimedia Consumer Device, Medical Monitoring Gateway.
Industrial IoT Gateway
The ATSAMA5D26B-CNR fits industrial IoT gateways because it pairs a Linux-capable 500 MHz Cortex-A5 with dual 10/100 EMAC supporting IEEE 1588 timestamping, two CAN-FD controllers, and six FLEXCOM (USART/SPI/TWI) interfaces for connecting to PLCs, sensors, and fieldbus nodes. Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) and Microchip's 10-year longevity commitment match the deployment lifecycle of factory automation equipment. The embedded audio subsystem is unused here, but the hardware crypto accelerator and secure boot secure over-the-air firmware updates. Compared with a Cortex-M class MCU, this MPU enables full TLS stacks, containerized edge analytics, and Modbus/OPC-UA protocol translation on a single chip.
Recommended
Building Automation Controller
In building automation, the ATSAMA5D26B-CNR's deterministic 500 MHz Cortex-A5, dual CAN-FD, and six FLEXCOM ports allow a single MPU to bridge BACnet/IP, KNX, Modbus, and DALI lighting networks simultaneously. The 2D LCD controller supports integrated HMI panels up to 2048x2048 for room thermostats and access-control touchscreens. Embedded audio with I2S and SSC enables voice-annunciation panels and intercom stations. The hardware cryptographic accelerator secures credential storage for access-control firmware, and the industrial -40C to +85C range suits basement mechanical rooms. Estimated power consumption is roughly 200 mW at 500 MHz with Linux idle, well within PoE-powered controller budgets.
Recommended
Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Panel
The ATSAMA5D26B-CNR is well matched to mid-range HMI panels because its 2D LCD controller drives displays up to 2048x2048 with overlay layers, freeing the Cortex-A5 core for Qt or LVDS-based graphical user interfaces. At 500 MHz the device can render 60 fps animations on 7- to 10-inch WVGA panels without external GPU silicon. The 128 KB on-chip SRAM handles frame-buffer double-buffering for smaller displays, while the DDR3L controller supports up to 1 GB of external memory for larger buffers. Industrial temperature rating and 0.8 mm ball pitch simplify 4-layer PCB routing. Cross-reference: the ATSAMA5D27 offers the same package with a higher-resolution 3D GPU for premium panels when needed.
Recommended
Connected Edge Appliance
For connected edge appliances such as retail signage controllers or smart-kitchen displays, the ATSAMA5D26B-CNR combines Cortex-A5 performance with full Linux support, USB 2.0 high-speed host/device, and the embedded audio subsystem for speaker playback. The dual CAN-FD is repurposed for appliance-internal sensor buses (e.g., temperature, weight, door position) while the 10/100 EMAC uplinks to the cloud. Hardware secure boot and tamper pins satisfy retail PCI-PTS requirements for payment-terminal peripherals. Industrial temperature grade and 10-year supply guarantee reduce field-maintenance cost for installed fleets.
Recommended
Vehicle Telematics Control Unit
The ATSAMA5D26B-CNR is suitable for vehicle telematics control units because it integrates two CAN-FD controllers supporting ISO 11898-1:2015, dual 10/100 EMAC for in-vehicle networking, and six FLEXCOM ports for additional LIN, SPI, or UART sensors. The Cortex-A5 with NEON accelerates sensor-fusion and trip-recording workloads, while the secure boot and tamper-detection pins harden the device against fleet-management fraud. Industrial -40C to +85C operation spans automotive cabin environments. Cross-brand note: AEC-Q100 qualified variants are not currently available in the SAMA5D26 family; for full automotive qualification consider the SAMA5D2-Q1 roadmap parts.
Recommended
Low-End Multimedia Consumer Device
The ATSAMA5D26B-CNR powers low-end multimedia consumer devices such as audio streaming receivers, smart speakers, and entry-level set-top boxes. The embedded audio subsystem with SSC and I2S interfaces directly drives external DACs and class-D amplifiers without an additional DSP. The 2D LCD controller supports secondary status displays on speaker tops. USB 2.0 high-speed host enables Wi-Fi/Bluetooth dongle connectivity, while the 10/100 EMAC provides wired network fallback. At roughly 200 mW Linux idle power consumption, the part is suitable for always-on smart-speaker designs where energy compliance (Energy Star, EU CoC Tier 2) is mandatory.
Recommended
Medical Monitoring Gateway
The ATSAMA5D26B-CNR suits medical monitoring gateways such as bedside patient monitors or laboratory instrument controllers because it combines Linux-capable processing with hardware cryptographic acceleration, secure boot, and tamper detection needed for IEC 81001-1 cybersecurity compliance. The dual CAN-FD and six FLEXCOMs interface to bedside sensor modules and laboratory analyzers over SPI/UART, while the dual 10/100 EMAC segments the medical device network from the hospital IT network. The Cortex-A5 at 500 MHz runs encrypted communication stacks (TLS 1.3, SSH) without performance bottlenecks. Note: IEC 60601-1 medical safety certification is a system-level obligation; the ATSAMA5D26B-CNR alone is not a qualified medical component.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAMA5D26B-CNR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAMA5D26C-CNR | ATSAMA5D23B-CNR | ATSAMA5D23A-CNR | ATSAMA5D22A-CNR | ATSAMA5D21B-CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 289-LFBGA (14x14x1.4 mm) | 289-LFBGA (14x14x1.4 mm) - same | 289-LFBGA (14x14x1.4 mm) - same | 289-LFBGA (14x14x1.4 mm) - same | 289-LFBGA (14x14x1.4 mm) - same | 289-LFBGA (14x14x1.4 mm) - same |
| Core Architecture | Arm Cortex-A5 | Arm Cortex-A5 | Arm Cortex-A5 | Arm Cortex-A5 | Arm Cortex-A5 | Arm Cortex-A5 |
| Maximum Core Frequency | 500 MHz | 500 MHz | 500 MHz | 500 MHz | 333 MHz | 500 MHz |
| Internal SRAM | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB |
| 2D LCD Controller | Yes (up to 2048x2048) | Yes (up to 2048x2048) | No | No | Yes | No |
| CAN-FD Controllers | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Ethernet (10/100 EMAC with IEEE 1588) | 2 ports | 2 ports | 2 ports | 2 ports | 2 ports | 1 port |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature grade with 10-year longevity commitment (vs Generic Cortex-A5 MPUs from consumer-focused suppliers)
- Embedded audio subsystem without external DSP (vs Application processors requiring external audio DSP)
- Hardware crypto accelerator with secure boot and tamper detection (vs Software-only security on competing Cortex-A5 MPUs)
Design Notes
The ATSAMA5D26B-CNR requires a 4-layer PCB minimum with continuous ground plane beneath the 289-LFBGA package to control impedance for the DDR3L and USB 2.0 high-speed signals. Microchip's SAMA5D2 hardware design checklist (application note AN2777) recommends matched-length traces of plus/minus 100 mils for the DDR3L byte lanes and 90 ohm differential for USB. Decoupling: place 100 nF X7R capacitors on every VDD/VDDANA/VDDPLL pin pair within 2 mm of the ball, plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor near each voltage domain. Ground the exposed thermal pad (or ball grid central array) through at least 9 thermal vias at 0.2 mm drill on a 0.5 mm pitch.
Estimated: at 500 MHz Linux active workload with 1.0 V core supply, the ATSAMA5D26B-CNR dissipates approximately 0.5-0.8 W, well within the 289-LFBGA package's typical 1.5 W rating. No external heatsink is required, but designers should ensure at least 25x25 mm of unbroken inner ground plane beneath the BGA. Junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (theta_JA) for this package on a 4-layer JEDEC test board is approximately 25 C/W, so worst-case ambient + dissipation yields junction temperature around 105C, still within the industrial 125C limit.
Common pitfalls when designing with the ATSAMA5D26B-CNR: (1) Do not skip the external 24 MHz crystal plus its 12 pF load capacitors - the internal PLL is not accurate enough for USB without the external reference. (2) The SAMA5D2 boot sequence requires the Boot Assistant ROM to validate image signatures; bypass this only for development builds. (3) DDR3L traces must be length-matched within 100 mils for byte-lane skew, and the DDR_VREF supply must be generated by a dedicated LDO, not a resistor divider. (4) The 0.8 mm ball-pitch BGA requires PCB fabrication with 0.4 mm laser-drilled vias in the inner pads; verify with your CM before committing the layout.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 not qualified for this MPU - choose SAMA5D2-Q1 roadmap parts for automotive. Lead-free and halogen-free per package markings.
