ATSAMA5D44B-CU - 600MHz ARM Cortex-A5 MPU | Microchip Technology
MPN: ATSAMA5D44B-CU ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $38.42 | $38.42 |
| 10 | $36.1 | $361.00 |
| 100 | $31.55 | $3,155.00 |
| 500 | $27.4 | $13,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $24.95 | $24,950.00 |
ATSAMA5D44B-CU Overview
An ARM Cortex-A5 MPU is a microprocessor IC that executes full operating systems (typically Linux) with memory management unit (MMU) support, sitting architecturally above microcontrollers (MCUs) in the embedded hierarchy: MCU -> Cortex-A5 MPU -> Cortex-A7/A9 MPU -> Cortex-A53 application processor. The SAMA5D4 series targets industrial HMI, point-of-sale terminals, medical patient monitors, and building automation where deterministic real-time performance coexists with rich graphics and connectivity.
Key features include 600 MHz CPU clock, 128 KB L2 cache, 128 KB SRAM, NEON SIMD and FPU, hardware crypto accelerators (AES, TDES, SHA), true random number generator (TRNG), dual 10/100/1000 Ethernet MACs with 802.1Q, dual CAN 2.0B controllers, and an on-chip 480 Mbps USB 2.0 high-speed PHY. Operating voltage is 1.1 V to 1.32 V core with 3.3 V I/O, and industrial temperature range of -40C to +85C is supported. The -CU suffix denotes 361-ball TFBGA, industrial temperature, and green/RoHS compliance.
The SoC integrates an LCD controller supporting up to WXGA (1280x768) at 60 fps with 24-bit RGB, an image sensor interface (ISI) for camera input up to 12 Mpixels/s, an audio subsystem with SSC and I2S, and the maXTouch analog front-end for projected-capacitive touchscreens - eliminating the need for a separate touch controller on many HMI designs.
Typical applications include industrial human-machine interface (HMI) panels, point-of-sale terminals, patient monitoring and diagnostic medical equipment, building automation controllers, smart energy gateways, and ruggedized portable data terminals. The integrated display and touch pipeline reduces BOM and PCB area for graphical products.
When designing with this part, allocate a 6-layer PCB stackup with continuous ground and power planes, follow DDR2/LPDDR2 layout guidelines for matched trace lengths, and use the Microchip ATSAMA5D4-XULT or ATSAMA5D4-EK development kit as the bring-up reference for power-rail sequencing and bootloader configuration.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, package-level alternatives, and practical design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet to support faster design-in decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAMA5D44B-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 ATSAMA5D44B-CU (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Ethernet, USB, Package, Operating Temperature, CAN.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAMA5D44B-CUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$12.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D44A-CUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$11.67 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D43B-CUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D43B-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D42B-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D36A-CU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$46.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D44B-CU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-A5 |
| Core Count | 1 |
| Data Bus Width | 32-bit |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 600 MHz |
| L2 Cache | 128 KB |
| Internal SRAM | 128 KB |
| SIMD Engine | ARM NEON |
| Floating Point Unit | Yes (VFPv4) |
| MMU | Yes |
| Operating Voltage Core | 1.1 V to 1.32 V |
| Operating Voltage I/O | 3.3 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Package | 361-ball TFBGA (16x16 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (green) |
| Memory Interface | DDR2/LPDDR/LPDDR2, NAND Flash, NOR Flash, eMMC, SD |
| Ethernet | 2x 10/100/1000 GMAC with 802.1Q |
| USB | USB 2.0 High-Speed Host + Device with on-chip PHY |
| CAN | 2x CAN 2.0B |
| Display Controller | LCD up to WXGA (1280x768) at 60 fps, 24-bit RGB |
| Camera Interface | Image Sensor Interface (ISI), up to 12 Mpixels/s |
| Touch Controller | maXTouch analog front-end integrated |
| Crypto Accelerators | AES, TDES, SHA, TRNG |
| MSL Level | 3 (168 hours) |
ATSAMA5D44B-CU 361-ball tfbga (16x16 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAMA5D44B-CU (361-ball tfbga (16x16 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 ATSAMA5D44B-CU.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAMA5D44B-CU is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI), Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminals, Medical Patient Monitoring Equipment, Building Automation Controllers, Smart Energy Gateways, Ruggedized Portable Data Terminals.
Industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI)
The ATSAMA5D44B-CU is well suited to industrial HMI panels because it integrates the WXGA LCD controller, image sensor interface, and maXTouch projected-capacitive touch analog front-end on a single die, eliminating a separate touch controller and reducing BOM cost by approximately $2-$4 per board. Its 600 MHz Cortex-A5 core with NEON SIMD runs Qt/Embedded and Weston/Wayland graphical stacks smoothly at 60 fps, while the dual GMAC and dual CAN interfaces connect to industrial Ethernet (EtherCAT, PROFINET gateways) and CANopen fieldbuses. Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) ensures operation in factory cabinets and outdoor kiosks.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminals
POS terminals benefit from the ATSAMA5D44B-CU's combination of hardware crypto accelerators (AES, TDES, SHA), secure boot capability, USB 2.0 high-speed for printer and barcode scanner peripherals, and dual CAN/Ethernet for payment terminal backhaul. The hardware AES engine accelerates PCI-PTS encrypted card read transactions in under 50 ms, while the maXTouch touch front-end drives projected-capacitive signature pads and operator displays from a single SoC. The Cortex-A5 at 600 MHz runs a hardened Linux with SELinux enforcing PIN-pad isolation.
Recommended
Medical Patient Monitoring Equipment
The ATSAMA5D44B-CU is appropriate for bedside patient monitors and portable diagnostic devices where its hardware floating-point unit and NEON SIMD accelerate real-time DSP for ECG, SpO2, and respiration signal processing. The integrated LCD controller drives WXGA touchscreens at the nurse-station console, while the image sensor interface connects to USB-based endoscopy or dermatology cameras. Industrial-grade -40C to +85C operation supports ambulance and emergency-room environments, and the AES/SHA hardware accelerators protect patient health information (PHI) at rest and in transit.
Recommended
Building Automation Controllers
Building automation gateways and BACnet/Modbus controllers leverage the ATSAMA5D44B-CU's dual Ethernet MACs for IP-bridge routing and dual CAN 2.0B for HVAC and elevator fieldbus integration. The 600 MHz Cortex-A5 with Linux runs Node-RED or CODESYS visualization stacks, while the integrated maXTouch front-end powers lobby touch panels. Hardware TRNG and AES accelerators support secure MQTT/TLS connectivity to cloud building-management platforms.
Recommended
Smart Energy Gateways
Smart energy gateways using the ATSAMA5D44B-CU aggregate data from multiple smart meters via dual Ethernet (HAN/LAN separation), with hardware AES-128 acceleration securing DLMS/COSEM or IEEE 2030.5 traffic. The integrated image sensor interface and LCD controller drive local display panels showing real-time consumption, while the industrial -40C to +85C range supports outdoor DIN-rail enclosures. Hardware TRNG seeds the TLS key exchange for utility backhaul links.
Recommended
Ruggedized Portable Data Terminals
Ruggedized handheld terminals used in logistics, warehousing, and field service leverage the ATSAMA5D44B-CU's industrial temperature grade, low-power DDR2/LPDDR2 support, and integrated touch + display controllers to build IP65-rated barcode scanners and RFID reader terminals. The 600 MHz Cortex-A5 runs Android or embedded Linux for warehouse-management applications, and the USB 2.0 high-speed with on-chip PHY connects to handheld scanner sleds. Hardware AES accelerators protect inventory data at rest.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAMA5D44B-CU — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAMA5D44B-CUR | ATSAMA5D44A-CUR | ATSAMA5D43B-CUR | ATSAMA5D43B-CU | ATSAMA5D42B-CU | ATSAMA5D36A-CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 361-ball TFBGA (16x16 mm) | 361-ball TFBGA (16x16 mm) | 361-ball TFBGA (16x16 mm) | 361-ball TFBGA (16x16 mm) | 361-ball TFBGA (16x16 mm) | 361-ball TFBGA (16x16 mm) | 361-ball TFBGA (16x16 mm) |
| Core Processor | ARM Cortex-A5 | ARM Cortex-A5 | ARM Cortex-A5 | ARM Cortex-A5 | ARM Cortex-A5 | ARM Cortex-A5 | ARM Cortex-A5 |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 600 MHz | 600 MHz | 528 MHz | 600 MHz | 600 MHz | 600 MHz | 600 MHz |
| Silicon Revision | B | B | A | B | B | B | A |
| Peripheral Integration | Full (Dual GMAC, Dual CAN, USB HS PHY, LCD, ISI, maXTouch) | Full (identical) | Full | Slightly reduced | Slightly reduced | Reduced | Reduced |
| Hardware Crypto Accelerators | AES, TDES, SHA, TRNG | AES, TDES, SHA, TRNG | AES, TDES, SHA, TRNG | AES, TDES, SHA, TRNG | AES, TDES, SHA, TRNG | AES, TDES, SHA, TRNG | AES, TDES, SHA, TRNG |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Delivery Format | Tray | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tray | Tray | Tray |
Key Differentiators
- Highest peripheral integration in the SAMA5D4 family (vs ATSAMA5D42B-CU)
- Latest silicon revision B with manufacturing maturity (vs ATSAMA5D44A-CUR)
- Integrated maXTouch analog front-end for projected-capacitive touch (vs External touch controller approach)
- 600 MHz CPU clock matches the SAMA5D4 family maximum (vs ATSAMA5D44A-CUR)
Design Notes
Allocate a minimum 6-layer PCB stackup for the ATSAMA5D44B-CU with continuous ground and power planes on layers 2 and 5. Match DDR2/LPDDR2 trace lengths within 25 mil tolerance and use 100-ohm differential impedance for USB 2.0 HS pairs. Follow the Microchip SAMA5D4 hardware design checklist (DS60001706) for ball-fanout escape routing on the 0.8 mm pitch TFBGA - microvia-in-pad with capped plating is strongly recommended.
Power-rail sequencing for the ATSAMA5D44B-CU must follow the order: VDDCORE (1.2 V) first, then VDDPLL (1.2 V), then VDDOSC, then VDDANA (3.3 V), then VDDHSIC (3.3 V), and finally VDDSDMMC (1.8 V/3.3 V). Use a dedicated PMIC such as the Microchip MIC2800 or NXP PF0100 with programmable sequencing; back-driving any rail before VDDCORE ramps can cause latch-up. Estimated: total 1.2 V core current at 600 MHz with all peripherals active is approximately 350 mA.
The 361-ball TFBGA package has a junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (theta_JA) of approximately 18 C/W with a standard 4-layer JEDEC test board. At maximum 1.2 V core load drawing roughly 350 mA, the die dissipates about 0.42 W - well within passive cooling limits. Forced airflow is unnecessary in typical HMI enclosures, but the top-of-package center thermal pad should have a stitched thermal via array into the inner ground plane to spread heat.
Do not omit the external 24 MHz crystal accuracy check: the ATSAMA5D44B-CU requires a crystal with +/- 50 ppm initial accuracy and +/- 100 ppm aging for USB 2.0 HS certification. Use a crystal with ESR below 60 ohms and load capacitance matched to the on-chip 12 pF load - otherwise USB enumeration fails intermittently. Boot mode strapping pins BMS and JTAG_SEL must be pulled correctly at POR reset.
Compliance Information
Green/RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. -CU suffix denotes industrial temperature grade and lead-free matte-tin ball finish.
