ATSAMA5D28B-CUR - 500MHz Cortex-A5 MPU 289-LFBGA | Microchip
MPN: ATSAMA5D28B-CUR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.45 | $18.45 |
| 10 | $17.1 | $171.00 |
| 100 | $15.4 | $1,540.00 |
| 500 | $13.85 | $6,925.00 |
| 1,000 | $12.6 | $12,600.00 |
ATSAMA5D28B-CUR Overview
A microprocessor (MPU) is a system-on-chip integrating CPU cores, caches, memory controllers, and peripheral IP into a single device, providing the central compute engine for Linux- and RTOS-based embedded products. MPUs sit above microcontrollers (MCUs) in capability hierarchy: MPU -> application processor -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. The Cortex-A5 core delivers the throughput required for graphical HMI, multimedia, and connected-device applications while maintaining ARM's power-efficient execution profile.
Key features of the ATSAMA5D28B-CUR include a single-core Cortex-A5 with 32 kbyte L1 instruction cache, 32 kbyte L1 data cache, full Memory Management Unit (MMU), and 128 kbyte L2 cache. The device integrates a 16-bit DDR controller supporting LPDDR1/2/3 and DDR2/3/3L with inline ECC, plus QSPI, 10/100 Ethernet MAC, USB 2.0 with HSIC, two CAN-FD controllers, and a TFT LCD controller supporting up to 1024x768 resolution. Cryptographic accelerators (AES, SHA, TRNG) and secure boot with Arm TrustZone enable hardened embedded security.
Architecturally, the SAMA5D28 uses a Cortex-A5 superscalar pipeline paired with NEON SIMD extensions for accelerated multimedia codecs. The peripheral subsystem implements Microchip's SAM-BA boot ROM and Atmel/Microchip peripheral register set, supported by the mainstream Linux mainline kernel and the Microchip MPLAB Harmony 3 BSP for bare-metal/RTOS workloads. ETM/ETB trace interfaces support real-time instruction tracing during development.
Typical applications span industrial HMI panels, building automation gateways, smart energy concentrators, medical patient monitors, point-of-sale terminals, and connected IoT edge nodes. The combination of Cortex-A5 performance, low power, and a rich peripheral mix suits Linux-driven systems requiring local display and connectivity without an external application processor.
Design considerations include PCB layout for the 0.8 mm pitch LFBGA: matched-length DDR traces, controlled-impedance routing for the 10/100 Ethernet RMII, and a six-layer stack-up with continuous ground reference under the BGA. Thermal management at 500 MHz requires attention to junction-to-ambient resistance; the part is rated for industrial -40C to +85C ambient operation.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives from the SAMA5D2 family, and practical design notes that supplement the manufacturer datasheet for faster board bring-up.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAMA5D28B-CUR — 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 ATSAMA5D28B-CUR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, Ethernet, USB, External Memory Support.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAMA5D28B-CNR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$17.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D28B-CN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$17.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D28A-CUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D28A-CNR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$15.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D28A-CN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$11.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D28B-CUR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | ARM Cortex-A5 (ARMv7-A) |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 500 MHz |
| L1 Instruction Cache | 32 kbyte |
| L1 Data Cache | 32 kbyte |
| L2 Cache / SRAM | 128 kbyte (configurable) |
| Memory Management Unit | Yes (full MMU) |
| NEON Media Engine | Yes (SIMD) |
| Arm TrustZone | Yes |
| DRAM Controller | LPDDR1/2/3, DDR2/3/3L, 16-bit, with ECC |
| External Bus | QSPI |
| Ethernet | 10/100 Mbps (1x) |
| USB | USB 2.0 + HSIC |
| Package | 289-LFBGA (14x14 mm) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Supply Voltage I/O | 3.3 V |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (BGA) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
ATSAMA5D28B-CUR 289-lfbga (14x14 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAMA5D28B-CUR (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 ATSAMA5D28B-CUR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAMA5D28B-CUR is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial HMI Control Panels, Building Automation Gateways, Smart Energy Concentrators, Medical Patient Monitoring Terminals, Point-of-Sale Terminals, Connected IoT Edge Gateways.
Industrial HMI Control Panels
The ATSAMA5D28B-CUR is well suited for industrial human-machine interface panels because it integrates an LCD TFT controller (up to 1024x768), keyboard and touchscreen interfaces, and 2D graphics acceleration on a single die. Its 500 MHz Cortex-A5 with NEON handles Qt/Embedded, Crank Storyboard, or LVGL graphical stacks while keeping BOM cost low. The 16-bit DDR controller with ECC supports reliable operation in factory environments. Compared to MCU+external GPU approaches, the ATSAMA5D28B-CUR delivers a single-chip solution with Linux mainline support, reducing firmware complexity and time-to-market.
Recommended
Building Automation Gateways
Building automation gateways benefit from the ATSAMA5D28B-CUR's mix of industrial peripherals: 10/100 Ethernet MAC, USB 2.0 with HSIC, two CAN-FD controllers, and multiple UART/SPI/I2C. The ARM Cortex-A5 500 MHz core runs BACnet, Modbus, KNX, or MQTT gateways under embedded Linux with predictable latency. Arm TrustZone and secure boot allow signed firmware updates critical for managed building systems. The 289-LFBGA package supports compact DIN-rail enclosure designs while the -40C to +85C industrial temperature grade tolerates uncontrolled mechanical rooms.
Recommended
Smart Energy Concentrators
Smart energy concentrators aggregate data from many smart meters over wireless or PLC links, and the ATSAMA5D28B-CUR's ARM Cortex-A5 with MMU plus crypto accelerators (AES, SHA, TRNG) fits this role. Linux mainline support eases TLS 1.3 stack integration for backhaul encryption, while the 10/100 Ethernet MAC and USB 2.0 provide WAN uplinks. The 128 kbyte L2/SRAM reduces DDR traffic for metering protocol parsing, improving determinism. Industrial -40C to +85C operation supports outdoor cabinet deployment without active cooling.
Recommended
Medical Patient Monitoring Terminals
Medical patient monitoring terminals require reliable display rendering, network connectivity, and secure data handling - all provided by the ATSAMA5D28B-CUR. The integrated LCD controller drives 1024x768 waveforms and numeric displays directly, while the Cortex-A5 NEON engine accelerates H.264 video for telehealth applications. Hardware AES/SHA acceleration secures HIPAA-compliant patient data at rest and in transit. The part's industrial temperature range and long-life Microchip supply program suit medical OEM lifecycle requirements.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale Terminals
Point-of-sale (POS) terminals need a balance of secure transaction processing, peripheral connectivity, and graphical UI rendering. The ATSAMA5D28B-CUR's Cortex-A5 500 MHz with MMU runs Linux-based payment stacks with ARM TrustZone isolating the secure element driver from the rich OS. The integrated TFT controller drives color touch displays for signature capture, while USB 2.0, Ethernet, and multiple UARTs interface to mag-stripe readers, printers, and cash drawers. Hardware AES accelerates point-to-point encryption (P2PE) without taxing the application processor.
Recommended
Connected IoT Edge Gateways
Connected IoT edge gateways aggregate sensor data, run local analytics, and forward filtered data to the cloud. The ATSAMA5D28B-CUR's 500 MHz Cortex-A5 executes containerized edge workloads (Docker via mainline Linux) with the 128 kbyte L2 cache reducing DDR pressure for ML inference preprocessing. The 10/100 Ethernet MAC and USB 2.0 provide WAN/backhaul, while multiple I2C/SPI/UART interfaces handle local sensor and radio modules. Arm TrustZone and secure boot enable OTA updates with cryptographic signature verification essential for production IoT fleets.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAMA5D28B-CUR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAMA5D28B-CNR | ATSAMA5D28A-CUR | ATSAMA5D28A-CNR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 289-LFBGA (14x14) | 289-LFBGA (14x14) - same | 289-LFBGA (14x14) - same | 289-LFBGA (14x14) - same |
| Core | ARM Cortex-A5 | ARM Cortex-A5 | ARM Cortex-A5 | ARM Cortex-A5 |
| Max CPU Clock | 500 MHz | 500 MHz | 500 MHz | 500 MHz |
| Silicon Revision | B | B (same die) | A | A |
| L2 Cache / SRAM | 128 kbyte | 128 kbyte | 128 kbyte | 128 kbyte |
| LCD Controller | Yes (up to 1024x768) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Packaging Format | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel (reverse) | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel (reverse) |
Key Differentiators
- Latest silicon revision with errata fixes (vs ATSAMA5D28A-CUR)
- Integrated TFT LCD controller and 2D graphics accelerator (vs ATSAMA5D27B-CUR)
- Industrial temperature grade with long-term supply (vs Consumer-grade Cortex-A5 MPUs)
Design Notes
Estimated: The 289-LFBGA at 0.8 mm pitch requires a 6-layer PCB stack-up with 1 oz copper and continuous ground reference under the BGA. Matched-length DDR traces within +/-25 mils, series damping resistors on DDR clock, and 100 ohm differential impedance for the RMII Ethernet signals. Use a microvia-in-pad or stacked-via process to fan out the inner balls - dog-bone fan-out is impractical at this pitch. Place the 32.768 kHz crystal within 5 mm of the XIN/XOUT pins with a grounded guard ring to reduce jitter.
At 500 MHz the SAMA5D28 dissipates up to ~1.5 W under typical workloads. The 289-LFBGA package requires a thermal pad pattern on the PCB tied to the inner ground plane with thermal vias (0.3 mm drill, 1.2 mm pitch). For sealed enclosures without airflow, derate the operating frequency or add a thermal spreader. Industrial -40C to +85C ambient operation is achievable with proper thermal design per the SAMA5D2 family datasheet thermal characteristics.
Power sequencing on the SAMA5D28 must follow the SAMA5D2 family datasheet: VDDANA and VDDCORE must be stable before VDDIO. Use a Microchip MCP16502 or equivalent PMIC with integrated LDOs and DC-DC converters. Place 100 nF X7R decoupling on every VDD pin within 2 mm of the BGA ball, plus bulk 10 uF/22 uF tantalum or polymer capacitors on the main supply rails. Keep the analog supply (VDDANA) quiet for the ADC and Ethernet PLL.
Common pitfalls when bringing up the ATSAMA5D28B-CUR include: (1) confusing the B and A silicon revision - both share the same datasheet, but errata differ; (2) failing to program the boot configuration straps (BMS, JTAG_SEL) correctly, causing the part to enter USB-only recovery instead of NAND/SD boot; (3) omitting the external 32.768 kHz crystal, which prevents the RTC and low-power modes from operating; (4) routing DDR3L address/command without proper impedance matching - use the SAMA5D2 PCB design checklist from Microchip.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip product declaration. AEC-Q100 not applicable (automotive-grade SAMA5D2 variants exist in the family but this MPN is industrial). Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in the verified web data - marked unknown.