ATSAMA5D27A-CU - 500MHz Cortex-A5 MPU | Microchip | Embedded
MPN: ATSAMA5D27A-CU ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $11.42 | $11.42 |
| 10 | $10.55 | $105.50 |
| 100 | $9.28 | $928.00 |
| 500 | $8.51 | $4,255.00 |
| 1,000 | $7.83 | $7,830.00 |
ATSAMA5D27A-CU Overview
An ARM Cortex-A5 MPU is a microprocessor unit based on the ARM Cortex-A5 application-class core, sitting above microcontrollers (MCUs) in the embedded processing hierarchy: MCU -> Cortex-M core -> Cortex-A5 MPU -> Cortex-A7/A53/A72 application processors. Cortex-A5 supports the ARMv7-A architecture with optional NEON SIMD and hardware floating-point, enabling full Linux and Android distributions while maintaining low power consumption ideal for battery-backed and industrial installations.
Key features include 500 MHz core speed with 128 KB SRAM, support for DDR2/DDR3L/LPDDR2/LPDDR3 external memory, and multiple boot sources (QSPI flash, e.MMC, NAND, SD card). The device integrates an LCD controller with TFT/MIPI-DSI support, a 12-bit ADC, 12-bit DAC, audio subsystem, and a Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC). Hardware security features include AES (with on-the-fly encryption for external memories), secure boot, and a true random number generator, enabling tamper-resistant IoT edge nodes.
The SAMA5D2 architecture combines an ARM Cortex-A5 core with a high-bandwidth multi-layer bus matrix, dual QSPI controllers with XIP, and up to 12 FLEXCOM serial interfaces (each configurable as UART/USART/SPI/TWI). The 0.8 mm ball pitch simplifies PCB layout compared with finer-pitch alternatives, while integrated power management keeps external component count low. According to Microchip's SAMA5D2 datasheet, the device draws under 5 µA in backup mode, supporting extensive battery life for always-on applications.
Typical applications include industrial IoT gateways, home and building automation HMI panels, smart energy meters, medical point-of-care devices, and ruggedized handheld terminals. The combination of Linux capability, hardware crypto, and an LCD controller allows a single-chip design without external companion MPUs.
When designing with the ATSAMA5D27A-CU, ensure the PCB uses microvia technology for the 0.8 mm BGA escape routing and that the DDR interface is length-matched within 25 mils across byte lanes. The integrated PTC requires careful PCB layout guard-ring routing for moisture immunity in touch-button or touch-slider designs.
This page synthesizes real-time distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, comparison tables, and practical PCB design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet, giving embedded engineers a decision-ready view of the SAMA5D2 family.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAMA5D27A-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 ATSAMA5D27A-CU (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Ethernet, Operating Temperature, Core Architecture, USB.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAMA5D27A-CNR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D27A-CN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$20.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D27A-CUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$12.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D27B-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$11.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D27C-D1G
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAMA5D27A-CU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | ARM Cortex-A5 (ARMv7-A) with NEON |
| Operating Frequency | 500 MHz |
| Core Count / Data Bus Width | 1 Core / 32-bit |
| Internal SRAM | 128 KB |
| External Memory Support | DDR2, DDR3L, LPDDR2, LPDDR3, QSPI, e.MMC, NAND |
| Package | 289-LFBGA (14x14 mm, 0.8 mm pitch) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V I/O, 1.2 V core (typ.) |
| Backup Mode Current | <5 µA |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial) |
| Cryptography | AES, SHA, TRNG, secure boot |
| Display Interface | LCD controller, MIPI-DSI option |
| Touch Controller | Integrated Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC) |
| Communication Interfaces | CAN, HSIC, USB, EMAC, FLEXCOM x12 (UART/SPI/TWI) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | 3 |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
ATSAMA5D27A-CU 289-lfbga (14x14 mm, 0.8 mm pitch) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAMA5D27A-CU (289-lfbga (14x14 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 ATSAMA5D27A-CU.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAMA5D27A-CU is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial IoT Gateway, HMI Touch Panel, Smart Energy Meter, Medical Point-of-Care Device, Ruggedized Handheld Terminal, Building Automation Controller.
Industrial IoT Gateway
The ATSAMA5D27A-CU is purpose-built for industrial IoT gateways, where its 500 MHz ARM Cortex-A5 core runs full Linux with networking stacks while the integrated EMAC, HSIC, and CAN-FD peripherals aggregate field-bus traffic. The hardware AES/SHA accelerators with on-the-fly external memory encryption protect MQTT payloads without CPU overhead. Designers benefit from the -40 °C to +85 °C industrial temperature grade and Microchip's long-term 10-year supply commitment. Typical power dissipation at 1.2 V core runs under 1 W at full CPU load, enabling fanless enclosures.
Recommended
HMI Touch Panel
For human-machine interface (HMI) panels with capacitive touch, the ATSAMA5D27A-CU integrates both an LCD controller (TFT and MIPI-DSI bridge) and a Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC) that supports mutual-capacitance touch sensors with moisture immunity. The 128 KB on-chip SRAM reduces DDR traffic for button-press debouncing and gesture recognition. Linux with the Qt or LVGL framework delivers smooth 60 fps updates on WXGA panels. The 0.8 mm BGA pitch simplifies four-layer PCB routing with microvias, lowering BOM cost compared with finer-pitch alternatives.
Recommended
Smart Energy Meter
Smart electricity and water meters benefit from the ATSAMA5D27A-CU's sub-5 µA backup current, which keeps RTC time during battery-only operation across extended outages. The integrated 12-bit ADC pairs with external current-sense amplifiers for metrology accuracy, while AES hardware encryption secures AMI/HAN communications. The 500 MHz Cortex-A5 with NEON executes metering algorithms and TLS handshakes concurrently. Industrial temperature support and a 10-year Microchip longevity commitment align with utility product lifecycles.
Recommended
Medical Point-of-Care Device
Point-of-care diagnostic instruments require deterministic response under battery power with secure data handling - a perfect match for the ATSAMA5D27A-CU. The Cortex-A5 runs embedded Linux or Android Medical device frameworks, while hardware SHA/AES ensures HIPAA-compliant data at rest. The integrated LCD and touch controllers drive operator-facing displays without external companion ICs. Fanless operation is enabled by the 1 W-class typical power budget, allowing sealed enclosures required for infection control in clinical settings.
Recommended
Ruggedized Handheld Terminal
Rugged handheld scanners, logistics terminals, and field-service tablets rely on the ATSAMA5D27A-CU's industrial temperature grade, hardware security, and integrated LCD/touch to deliver commercial-off-the-shelf reliability. The 12 FLEXCOM serial interfaces each reconfigure as UART/SPI/TWI, simplifying scanner and RFID-reader integrations. Microchip's 0.8 mm BGA package withstands drop and vibration testing better than fine-pitch alternatives. Full Linux support enables long-term in-field OTA updates without firmware fragmentation.
Recommended
Building Automation Controller
Building automation hubs aggregate HVAC, lighting, security, and access-control subsystems - workloads well-served by the ATSAMA5D27A-CU. The hardware CAN-FD interface connects directly to BACnet and KNX field buses via external transceivers, while USB and EMAC provide IP-network backhaul. The integrated PTC supports glass-front touch panels found in modern thermostats and access readers. Microchip's longevity program protects the multi-decade lifecycles typical of commercial building installations.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAMA5D27A-CU — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAMA5D27A-CNR | ATSAMA5D27A-CN | ATSAMA5D27A-CUR | ATSAMA5D27B-CU | ATSAMA5D27C-D1G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 289-LFBGA (14x14) | 289-LFBGA (14x14) | 289-LFBGA (14x14) | 289-LFBGA (14x14) | 289-LFBGA (14x14) | 289-LFBGA (14x14) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core | ARM Cortex-A5 | ARM Cortex-A5 | ARM Cortex-A5 | ARM Cortex-A5 | ARM Cortex-A5 | ARM Cortex-A5 |
| Operating Frequency | 500 MHz | 500 MHz | 500 MHz | 500 MHz | 500 MHz | 500 MHz |
| Internal SRAM | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB |
| Temperature Range | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) | -40 °C to +105 °C (Auto) | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C |
| Silicon Revision | A | A | A | A | B | C |
| Integrated DRAM | None (external DDR) | None (external DDR) | None (external DDR) | None (external DDR) | None (external DDR) | 1 Gbit DDR2 integrated |
| Unit Price (qty-100) | $9.28 | $10.10 | $9.28 | $9.28 | $8.80 | $14.50 |
Key Differentiators
- Hardware cryptography with OTF memory encryption (vs ATSAMA5D27C-D1G)
- Broader industrial temperature headroom option (vs ATSAMA5D27A-CU vs ATSAMA5D27A-CN)
- Mature production silicon with broadest third-party support (vs ATSAMA5D27B-CU)
Design Notes
The 289-LFBGA uses a 0.8 mm ball pitch, which is escape-routable on a standard 4-layer PCB with microvia-in-pad technology (e.g., 1.0 mm laser-drilled microvias). For cost-sensitive designs, an 8-layer PCB with stacked microvias improves yield but increases fabrication cost. Reference Microchip's SAMA5D2 Xplained Ultra design files for an approved escape pattern. Decoupling requires 100 nF X7R capacitors within 3 mm of each VDDCORE/VDDIO power ball pair, plus bulk 10 µF and 47 µF tantalum capacitors near the package edges.
The DDR2/DDR3L/LPDDR2/LPDDR3 interface demands strict length matching - data (DQ), data strobe (DQS), and clock (CK) signals must be matched within ±25 mils of the byte-lane target per byte lane. Route the DDR interface on the top layer directly under the BGA escape with continuous reference ground plane; never cross a plane split. For LPDDR2/3, add a 100 Ω differential termination resistor pack near the MPU. Source-synchronous timing margins shrink to <50 ps, making signal-integrity simulation mandatory for 500 MHz operation.
Estimated: At maximum CPU activity, the 1.2 V core draws approximately 600 mA, dissipating about 720 mW, while the 3.3 V I/O adds ~150 mW with all peripherals enabled - total ~870 mW. With the 289-LFBGA's typical θJA of ~22 °C/W on a JEDEC 4-layer test board, junction temperature rises ~19 °C above ambient at 25 °C. For enclosed industrial designs at +70 °C ambient, ensure the enclosure conducts or convects heat away; the BGA exposed thermal pad must be soldered to a copper pour connected to the ground plane for adequate heat-spreading.
Do not power the SAMA5D27 without sequencing - VDDCORE (1.2 V) must rise before or simultaneously with VDDIO (3.3 V). Microchip's reference design uses a dedicated power-management IC (MIC2800 or similar) to enforce this sequence; bypassing it causes latch-up. Avoid using NAND boot on first prototypes - QSPI boot with an attached SPI flash is more forgiving and easier to recover from corrupted bootloaders. Finally, always populate 0 Ω resistors on JTAG test points for factory programming access.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free per Microchip product page. The -CU variant is not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive grades use -CNR. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in verified web data.