ATSAMA5D27B-CU - 500MHz Cortex-A5 MPU 289-LFBGA | Microchip
MPN: ATSAMA5D27B-CU ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $16.95 | $169.50 |
| 100 | $15.1 | $1,510.00 |
| 500 | $13.75 | $6,875.00 |
| 1,000 | $12.6 | $12,600.00 |
| 2,500 | $11.85 | $29,625.00 |
ATSAMA5D27B-CU Overview
An MPU (microprocessor unit) is a class of system-on-chip that integrates a full applications-grade CPU with memory controllers and rich I/O. The Cortex-A5 generation is a 32-bit superscalar core that runs the Linux kernel and other rich operating systems, sitting above microcontrollers (MCUs) in capability and above DSPs in generality. The SAMA5D2 series in particular targets low-power, fanless embedded designs where an MPU must run from constrained supplies or backup batteries.
Key features include 32-bit DDR2/DDR3L/LPDDR2/LPDDR3 memory controller, 16-bit SLC NAND controller with ECC, dual CAN-FD controllers, 10/100/1000 Ethernet MAC with 1588 PTP timestamps, three HS USB ports, multiple I2S/TWI/SPI/UART, secure boot, hardware cryptographic accelerators (AES, SHA, TRNG), and an AES/secure boot chain. Operation voltage is typically 1.2 V core with 1.8 V/3.3 V I/O, and total system power in backup mode can drop to about 5 µA.
The architecture pairs the Cortex-A5 core with a 32 KB I-cache and 32 KB D-cache plus NEON and FPU (where present), an MMU for Linux, and a low-latency bus matrix that keeps the LCD and Ethernet streams fed under sustained interrupt load. This combination is tuned for low BOM cost designs, since most peripherals needed for a connected display product are integrated.
Typical applications include industrial HMI panels, building automation gateways, smart-grid concentrators, vending and ticketing terminals, medical point-of-care displays, and rugged portable instruments with LTE connectivity. The compact 14x14 mm BGA footprint enables compact carrier boards, while the 0.8 mm ball pitch reduces PCB layer count compared with finer-pitch MPUs.
A key design consideration is the memory topology and power sequencing: VDDANA, VDDBU, VDDPLL, VDDOSC, and the DDR rail must be brought up in the order described in the SAMA5D2 datasheet, otherwise the boot ROM may not initialize the DRAM reliably. Use a sequencing supervisor or the bundled SAM software package reference design.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-brand and cross-brand drop-in alternatives, and layout/thermal considerations not repeated in the manufacturer's datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAMA5D27B-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 ATSAMA5D27B-CU (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Ethernet, Operating Temperature, External Memory Support, Backup Mode Current.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAMA5D27C-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$11.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D27A-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.83 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D27A-CUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$12.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D27B-CUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$11.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D27A-CN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$20.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D27A-CNR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D27B-CU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-A5 |
| Number of Cores | 1 Core, 32-Bit |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 500 MHz |
| Series | SAMA5D2 |
| Package | 289-LFBGA (14x14 mm) |
| Ball Pitch | 0.8 mm |
| Memory Interfaces | DDR2, DDR3L, LPDDR1, LPDDR2, LPDDR3, QSPI, e.MMC |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Supply Voltage | 1.2 V core, 1.8 V/3.3 V I/O |
| Backup Mode Current | 5 uA (per datasheet) |
| Graphics | TFT LCD controller, 2D graphics engine, 720p H.264 video decoder |
| Connectivity | Gigabit Ethernet MAC with 1588 PTP, 2x CAN-FD, 3x USB (HS), 2x I2S, multiple TWI/SPI/UART |
| Security | Secure boot, hardware AES/SHA, TRNG, tamper pins |
| Touch Controller | Integrated peripheral touch controller (PTC) |
| Audio Subsystem | Embedded audio subsystem with I2S ports |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
ATSAMA5D27B-CU 289-lfbga (14x14 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAMA5D27B-CU (289-lfbga (14x14 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 ATSAMA5D27B-CU.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAMA5D27B-CU is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Panels, Building Automation and Smart-Edge Gateways, Smart-Grid Concentrators and Metering Hubs, Vending and Ticketing Terminals, Medical Point-of-Care Displays, Rugged Portable Instruments with LTE Connectivity, Connected Industrial Printers and Label Applicators.
Industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Panels
ATSAMA5D27B-CU's on-chip TFT LCD controller with 2D graphics engine and embedded 720p H.264 decoder directly drives WVGA/720p TFT panels used in industrial HMIs without an external bridge chip, cutting BOM cost and PCB area. Its 500 MHz Cortex-A5 with MMU runs Linux Qt, LVGL, or Crank Storyboard GUI frameworks for responsive touch panels, while the integrated peripheral touch controller (PTC) connects ITO or projected-capacitive sensors. The 14x14 mm BGA keeps total form factor small enough for 3.5–7 inch panel PCBs, and CAN-FD + GbE enable the same board to act as a machinery controller over industrial Ethernet.
Recommended
Building Automation and Smart-Edge Gateways
The ATSAMA5D27B-CU's Gigabit Ethernet MAC with 1588 PTP, dual CAN-FD, and the 5 µA backup current make it an industrial strength sub-gateway for BACnet/Modbus/TLS over IP. Two independent CAN-FD channels let one MPU drive both a wired building bus and a connection to a meter or HVAC controller, while the GbE WAN side carries secure-cloud traffic with hardware AES acceleration in the SAMA5D2 secure block. Linux mainline plus the AT91 power-management drivers keep total idle power low, enabling fanless DIN-rail designs. The integrated audio I2S subsystem also enables voice prompt and intercom features without an external DSP.
Recommended
Smart-Grid Concentrators and Metering Hubs
ATSAMA5D27B-CU is a strong fit for DLMS/COSEM smart-meter concentrators because it combines an IEC 61850-style datapath with secure boot, hardware TRNG, and tamper pins described in the SAMA5D2 datasheet. AES/SHA accelerators accelerate TLS handshakes to head-end systems, while dual CAN-FD and GbE allow the hub to aggregate low-voltage transformer monitors and push aggregated data upstream. The low backup-mode 5 µA current enables long battery life for retain-only scenarios. Engineers targeting the same design across IEC 62056 markets appreciate Microchip's Linux4SAM BSP and security certifications.
Recommended
Vending and Ticketing Terminals
ATSAMA5D27B-CU integrates a 720p H.264 decoder, TFT controller, touch sensing, secure boot, and GbE in one chip—exactly what's needed in unattended vending kiosks, transit ticket validators, and self-checkout terminals. The MPU drives a TFT touchscreen, decodes promotional video clips, runs cashless payment stacks over Ethernet, and writes audit logs to e.MMC—all without external graphics co-processors. Secure boot plus tamper detection supports PCI/PTS-style hardening for payment-card transactions. Industrial temperature rating suits both indoor and outdoor enclosures, and the compact BGA package keeps terminal depth under 30 mm.
Recommended
Medical Point-of-Care Displays
ATSAMA5D27B-CU's 500 MHz Cortex-A5 core and integrated 2D graphics engine are well suited for medical point-of-care (POC) devices that need a clear, fast UI on a 5–7 inch touchscreen without a budget for higher-end MPUs. Hardware AES/SHA and secure boot satisfy IEC 62304-style integrity requirements, while CAN-FD allows the same board to communicate with benchtop analyzers. Industrial-grade -40 to +85 C operation covers clinical and field environments, and the embedded PTC supports gloved-finger projected-capacitive touchscreens used in clinical workflows. Linux mainline plus Microchip's medical-software reference materials accelerate FDA submission pre-work.
Recommended
Rugged Portable Instruments with LTE Connectivity
Field-ruggedized handhelds—utility analyzers, environmental monitors, public-safety terminals—use ATSAMA5D27B-CU as a low-power Linux host paired with an LTE Cat-1/Cat-M module over USB or UART. The GbE/1588 PTP support is useful when the handheld docks into a lab station, and the 5 µA backup current keeps the RTC alive across multi-week deployments on a single battery charge. The integrated audio subsystem simplifies earpiece and microphone paths for walkie-talkie-style applications, while the H.264 decoder supports body-worn or vehicle-mounted live video offload. Engineers appreciate that this design reuses the same BSP across multiple product variants in the SAMA5D2 family.
Recommended
Connected Industrial Printers and Label Applicators
ATSAMA5D27B-CU runs Linux stacks that drive label printers and applicators with integrated touchscreens, integrating GbE for MES networking, CAN-FD for line control, and the TFT controller for the local UI. The H.264 decoder can show training videos on the panel during operator interventions, and the secure boot chain protects against unauthorized firmware flashing. Dual CAN-FD channels simplify connecting print engines, applicators, and line scanners to a single board, while DDR3L/LPDDR3 support lets engineers hit the price or low-power target without a board spin.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAMA5D27B-CU — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAMA5D27C-CU | ATSAMA5D27A-CU | ATSAMA5D27B-CUR | ATSAMA5D27A-CN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 289-LFBGA (14x14) | 289-LFBGA (14x14) | 289-LFBGA (14x14) | 289-LFBGA (14x14) | 289-LFBGA (14x14) |
| Silicon Revision | B | C (newer, fewer errata) | A (older, more errata) | B (same as -CU) | A (older, more errata) |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 500 MHz | 500 MHz | 500 MHz | 500 MHz | 500 MHz |
| Core | ARM Cortex-A5 (32-bit) | ARM Cortex-A5 (32-bit) | ARM Cortex-A5 (32-bit) | ARM Cortex-A5 (32-bit) | ARM Cortex-A5 (32-bit) |
| Memory Interfaces | DDR2/DDR3L/LPDDR2/LPDDR3, QSPI, e.MMC | DDR2/DDR3L/LPDDR2/LPDDR3, QSPI, e.MMC | DDR2/DDR3L/LPDDR2/LPDDR3, QSPI, e.MMC | DDR2/DDR3L/LPDDR2/LPDDR3, QSPI, e.MMC | DDR2/DDR3L/LPDDR2/LPDDR3, QSPI, e.MMC |
| Industrial Temp Range | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | verify against grade (-40 C to +85 C or -40 C to +105 C) |
| Packaging Form | Tray (CU) | Tray (CU) | Tray (CU) | Tape & Reel (CUR) | Tray (CN grade) |
| Approximate 1k-piece Unit Price | $12.60 | similar / slightly higher | similar | similar | similar |
Key Differentiators
- Drop-in replacement availability with errata fixes (vs ATSAMA5D27A-CU)
- Integrated 720p H.264 decoder + TFT controller (vs ATSAMA5D27A-CU)
- Full mainline Linux support with documented secure-boot chain (vs ATSAMA5D27C-CU)
- 5 µA backup mode current with hardware TRNG (vs ATSAMA5D27B-CUR)
Design Notes
Power-up sequence is mandatory for the ATSAMA5D27B-CU: VDDBU must be present before the core rails (VDDCORE, VDDPLL, VDDOSC) so the ROM-based secure boot can start reliably. Use a sequencing supervisor or the reference design in the SAMA5D2 datasheet to guarantee this order on hot-plug, brownout, and RTC-battery-only paths. Failing the sequence is the most common cause of 'no console, no DRAM init' during debug.
The 289-LFBGA uses a 0.8 mm ball pitch, which fits a 4-layer PCB with micro-via stackups but requires controlled-impedance routing for DDR2/DDR3L traces. Fan out the BGA with short escape routes; place the LPDDR3/DDR3L device on the same side as the MPU to keep the byte lanes matched within the trace-mismatch budget in the datasheet. Provide solid GND and VDDCORE planes and stitch them with via arrays around high-current balls (VDDCORE, GND) for thermal spreading.
Under sustained full-CPU+LCD activity, estimated core junction temperature rises 30–40 C above ambient for the 14x14 BGA package on a 4-layer board without a heat spreader (Estimated: ambient 25 C, PJ = 0.6 W typical CPU, theta_JA ~50 C/W on 4-layer JEDEC). Most industrial HMI products fit within this budget using only thermal vias under the central ball grid. For sealed enclosures without airflow, validate with a thermal probe at the BGA top center, and consider a copper-inlay heat spreader if Tj exceeds 95 C in chamber testing.
Common pitfalls when bringing up ATSAMA5D27B-CU boards: (1) forgetting the boot-mode strap on BMS pins—you'll see the ROM look for SD card boot when you wanted NAND; (2) mismatching DDR trace lengths beyond the SAMA5D2 datasheet's byte-lane tolerance, causing intermittent training failure at -20 C; (3) tying VDDBU directly to a high-impedance rail causing RTC drift across temperature—follow the SAMA5D2 reference design and add a low-ESR decoupling cap. Always validate with the linux4sam distribution's at91bootstrap before bringing up Linux to isolate ROM vs. firmware issues.
Place the GbE PHY within 25 mm of the MPU RGMII balls and length-match the RGMII data and clock traces to within the tolerance documented in the SAMA5D2 datasheet. Place the DDR clock reference resistors close to their respective balls, and route the two CAN-FD differential pairs away from switching supplies or the TFT clock to keep EMC headroom. The integrated PTC touch controller pins should be guarded with a ground ring on the same layer to avoid capacitive-coupling false touches from adjacent LCD traces.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product environmental declarations. Not AEC-Q100 qualified—this part targets industrial -40 to +85 C operation, not automotive Grade 0/1. Lead-free 289-LFBGA balls are standard.