ATSAMC21E17A-AUT - 48MHz Cortex-M0+ 128KB MCU | Microchip
MPN: ATSAMC21E17A-AUT β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.92 | $3.92 |
| 10 | $3.53 | $35.30 |
| 100 | $3.13 | $313.00 |
| 500 | $2.74 | $1,370.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.45 | $2,450.00 |
ATSAMC21E17A-AUT Overview
What is a microcontroller? A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a processor core, program memory (Flash), data memory (SRAM), and integrated peripherals such as ADC, timers, and communication interfaces. In the semiconductor hierarchy, MCUs sit below microprocessors (MPUs) and are classified as embedded computing devices within the broader category of integrated circuits (ICs). The Cortex-M0+ core specifically targets low-power, deterministic real-time control with a tiny gate count.
The ATSAMC21E17A-AUT supports 5V native I/O, enabling direct interface with industrial sensors, motors, and 24V logic-derived signals without level shifters. Functional Safety (FuSa) features include a CRC engine, Windowed Watchdog Timer (WWDT), hardware crypto, and dual brown-out detection. The 5V Cortex-M0+ core delivers 2.46 CoreMark/MHz while consuming under 70 uA/MHz in active mode.
Architecturally, the device pairs the Cortex-M0+ core with a 6-channel DMA controller, an Event System for inter-peripheral signaling without CPU intervention, and a 12-bit 1 Msps ADC with oversampling capability. The Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC) supports capacitive touch sensing with up to 256 buttons, while the SERCOM modules are configurable as UART, SPI, or I2C on demand, giving up to six flexible serial channels.
Typical applications include industrial motor control, building automation controllers, smart energy metering, automotive body electronics (CAN-FD nodes), and capacitive touch human-machine interfaces. The combination of CAN-FD and 5V tolerance makes it especially attractive for factory-floor PLCs and HVAC controllers.
When designing with this MCU, ensure the 32-pin TQFP footprint uses adequate copper pour for thermal dissipation and consider using Atmel Studio 7 or MPLAB X IDE for firmware development. The Device Service Unit (DSU) provides secure boot and Flash CRC verification for functional safety.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the SAM C21 family, and practical design notes not found in the standalone datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAMC21E17A-AUT β 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 ATSAMC21E17A-AUT (same form factor and footprint) β differing in ADC, Package, SRAM, Operating Temperature Range, Supply Voltage Range.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAMC21E18A-AUT
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$3.07 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAMC21E16A-AUT
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$2.78 / Unit
View Datasheet βATSAMC21E15A-AUT
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAMC20E17A-AUT
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAMC21E17A-AUT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | ARM Cortex-M0+ (32-bit) |
| Series | SAM C21 (5V Cortex-M0+ with CAN-FD) |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 48 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 128 KB (128K x 8) |
| SRAM | 16 KB |
| Operating Voltage | 2.7V to 5.5V |
| I/O Voltage Tolerance | 5V native |
| Package | 32-TQFP (7x7 mm) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| ADC | 12-bit, up to 1 Msps |
| CAN-FD | Yes (1 channel) |
| SERCOM Modules | Up to 6 (configurable UART/SPI/I2C) |
| PTC (Touch Controller) | Yes, supports capacitive touch |
| DMA Channels | 6 |
| Functional Safety (FuSa) | Yes (CRC, WWDT, dual BOD, DSU) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | 3 |
ATSAMC21E17A-AUT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PA00 β I/O port A, pin 0 (SERCOM, ADC, PTC) |
| Pin 2 | PA01 β I/O port A, pin 1 (SERCOM, ADC, PTC) |
| Pin 3 | PA02 β I/O port A, pin 2 (SERCOM, ADC, PTC, DAC) |
| Pin 4 | PA03 β I/O port A, pin 3 (SERCOM, ADC, PTC, REF) |
| Pin 5 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 6 | VDDIO β Digital I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 7 | VDDIN β Voltage regulator input |
| Pin 8 | VDDCORE β Internal core voltage (decoupling) |
| Pin 9 | PA04 β I/O port A, pin 4 (SERCOM, ADC, PTC) |
| Pin 10 | PA05 β I/O port A, pin 5 (SERCOM, ADC, PTC) |
| Pin 11 | PA06 β I/O port A, pin 6 (SERCOM, ADC, PTC) |
| Pin 12 | PA07 β I/O port A, pin 7 (SERCOM, ADC, PTC) |
| Pin 13 | PA08 β I/O port A, pin 8 (SERCOM, ADC, PTC) |
| Pin 14 | PA09 β I/O port A, pin 9 (SERCOM, ADC, PTC) |
| Pin 15 | PA10 β I/O port A, pin 10 (SERCOM, ADC, PTC) |
| Pin 16 | PA11 β I/O port A, pin 11 (SERCOM, ADC, PTC) |
| Pin 17 | PA14 β I/O port A, pin 14 (SERCOM, TC, PTC) |
| Pin 18 | PA15 β I/O port A, pin 15 (SERCOM, TC, PTC) |
| Pin 19 | PA16 β I/O port A, pin 16 (SERCOM, TC, PTC) |
| Pin 20 | PA17 β I/O port A, pin 17 (SERCOM, TC, PTC) |
| Pin 21 | PA18 β I/O port A, pin 18 (SERCOM, TC, PTC) |
| Pin 22 | PA19 β I/O port A, pin 19 (SERCOM, TC, PTC) |
| Pin 23 | PA20 β I/O port A, pin 20 (SERCOM, TC, PTC) |
| Pin 24 | PA21 β I/O port A, pin 21 (SERCOM, TC, PTC) |
| Pin 25 | PA22 β I/O port A, pin 22 (SERCOM, TC, PTC) |
| Pin 26 | PA23 β I/O port A, pin 23 (SERCOM, TC, PTC) |
| Pin 27 | PA24 β I/O port A, pin 24 (SERCOM, TC, PTC) |
| Pin 28 | PA25 β I/O port A, pin 25 (SERCOM, TC, PTC) |
| Pin 29 | PB22 β I/O port B, pin 22 (CAN-FD, SERCOM) |
| Pin 30 | PB23 β I/O port B, pin 23 (CAN-FD, SERCOM) |
| Pin 31 | GND β Ground (second pad) |
| Pin 32 | VDDIO β Digital I/O supply voltage (second pad) |
Typical Applications
ATSAMC21E17A-AUT is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Motor Control, Building Automation Controllers, Automotive CAN-FD Body Electronics, Capacitive Touch HMI Panels, Smart Energy Metering, Industrial Sensor Hubs.
Industrial Motor Control
The ATSAMC21E17A-AUT drives BLDC, PMSM, and stepper motors in industrial servo drives and pumps. Its 12-bit 1 Msps ADC captures back-EMF and phase currents in real time, while the PWM timers with complementary outputs and dead-band insertion generate the 6-step or FOC switching signals. The Cortex-M0+ core running at 48MHz executes field-oriented control (FOC) loops within typical 10-20 kHz switching periods. The 5V native I/O eliminates level shifters when interfacing with 24V industrial driver stages. Hardware crypto and the Windowed Watchdog support functional safety requirements for IEC 61508 SIL-2 motor systems, and CAN-FD enables deterministic multi-axis coordination across factory networks.
Recommended
Building Automation Controllers
The ATSAMC21E17A-AUT serves as the central controller in HVAC, lighting, and access-control panels where 5V tolerance and CAN-FD networking are critical. Six SERCOM modules provide flexible UART/SPI/I2C links to sensor arrays, while the Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC) supports up to 256 capacitive touch buttons for user interfaces. The 128KB Flash accommodates BACnet or Modbus protocol stacks, and 16KB SRAM handles message buffers without external memory. Operating across -40C to +85C, the MCU survives unconditioned plant-room and rooftop environments, and the dual brown-out detectors with hardware CRC protect against brown-out firmware corruption in 24V-backed-up systems.
Recommended
Automotive CAN-FD Body Electronics
The ATSAMC21E17A-AUT is qualified for body-control modules including seat controllers, mirror adjusters, and lighting nodes that ride the CAN-FD vehicle network. Its integrated CAN-FD controller supports up to 5 Mbit/s payload rates, while the 5V I/O tolerates the load-dump transients typical of 12V automotive buses. The CRC engine and DSU-based secure boot satisfy OEM functional-safety requirements, and the 48MHz Cortex-M0+ delivers the determinism required for LIN-to-CAN gateway tasks. AEC-Q100-grade screening is available on related variants, making this MCU family a strong fit for non-safety-critical body domains where CAN-FD bandwidth matters.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch HMI Panels
The ATSAMC21E17A-AUT integrates Microchip's Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC) supporting up to 256 capacitive buttons, sliders, and wheels without an external touch IC. The QTouch library runs directly on the Cortex-M0+ core, offloading scan timing to hardware acquisition and DMA channels. With 128KB Flash and 16KB SRAM, the MCU fits rich GUI state machines alongside communication stacks like UART or CAN-FD. The 5V I/O simplifies direct drive of LED backlights and piezo buzzers, and the -40C to +85C range supports appliance and industrial-panel deployment in kitchens, factories, and outdoor kiosks.
Recommended
Smart Energy Metering
The ATSAMC21E17A-AUT drives single-phase and poly-phase electricity meters, gas meters, and water-meter endpoints with CAN-FD or SERCOM backhaul. Its 12-bit ADC with hardware oversampling achieves 16-bit effective resolution for current-shunt and voltage-divider sensing, while the 48MHz core computes RMS, reactive power, and THD in real time. The 5V tolerance interfaces directly with 110/220V-derived analog front-ends using simple resistor dividers. Tamper detection is supported by the Windowed Watchdog and dual BOD, and the 128KB Flash stores calibration tables and DLMS/COSEM protocol stacks for IEC 62056-21 meter compliance.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Hubs
The ATSAMC21E17A-AUT acts as a multi-protocol sensor hub aggregating UART, SPI, and I2C peripherals via its six SERCOM channels and forwarding data over CAN-FD or RS-485. The Event System routes peripheral triggers without CPU wake-up, keeping average current below 70 uA/MHz and supporting battery-backed industrial sensors. With 128KB Flash and 16KB SRAM, the MCU runs MODBUS, IO-Link, or proprietary protocols concurrently. The 5V I/O and -40C to +85C operating range let it sit at the edge of 24V factory buses, while hardware CRC and the Device Service Unit (DSU) enable secure firmware updates over the field network.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAMC21E17A-AUT β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAMC21E18A-AUT | ATSAMC21E16A-AUT | ATSAMC21E15A-AUT | ATSAMC20E17A-AUT | ATSAMC21E17A-MUT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 32-TQFP (7x7 mm) | 32-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 32-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 32-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 32-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) - different |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 128 KB | 256 KB | 64 KB | 32 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB |
| SRAM | 16 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB | 8 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB |
| CAN-FD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Maximum Clock | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| I/O Voltage Tolerance | 5V native | 5V native | 5V native | 5V native | 5V native | 5V native |
Key Differentiators
- 5V native I/O with CAN-FD in 32-TQFP (vs ATSAMC20E17A-AUT)
- Two-tier memory scaling within the same package (vs ATSAMC21E16A-AUT)
- TQFP 7x7 footprint for thermal robustness (vs ATSAMC21E17A-MUT)
Design Notes
The ATSAMC21E17A-AUT integrates a single LDO regulator that generates VDDCORE from VDDIN (2.7-5.5V). Place a 1uF X7R decoupling capacitor close to VDDIN and a 100nF X7R capacitor on VDDCORE to suppress regulator ringing. Per the SAM C21 datasheet, VDDCORE must not be driven externally; only decoupling is allowed. Add a bulk 10uF tantalum or polymer cap on VDDIO if the design drives multiple 5V loads.
The 32-TQFP package has a junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (theta_JA) of approximately 40 C/W on a standard 4-layer JEDEC test board. At full 48MHz operation across all peripherals with typical 70 uA/MHz active current plus I/O drive, total power dissipation stays below 100 mW, keeping junction rise under 4C - no heatsink required. For hot-enclosure deployments (>60C ambient), expand the ground copper pour under the exposed paddle region to spread heat.
Route the CAN-FD differential pair (PB22=CAN0TX, PB23=CAN0RX) as a 100-ohm impedance-matched pair with no stubs, keeping the trace length under 50mm to meet ISO 11898-1 signal-integrity requirements. Place the MCP2518FD or ATA6563 CAN-FD transceiver within 10mm of the MCU pins. The 32-TQFP package has a 0.8mm pitch; use 0.4mm-wide traces between pads and route power on inner layers to avoid disrupting the SERCOM signal integrity.
Do not apply 5V to PB22/PB23 if you have not enabled the CAN-FD peripheral in firmware; the I/O cells default to input mode but the alternate-function path needs clock-gating configuration. Avoid using PB22/PB23 for SERCOM if CAN-FD is required. Also, the SWD interface pins (PA30, PA31) are not bonded out on 32-pin variants - use the 48-pin or 64-pin SAM C21 packages if you need SWD debugging without a bootloader. Always assert the NRST line for at least 2.5 us during power-up per the datasheet.
The 12-bit ADC achieves 1 Msps but accuracy degrades above 500 ksps due to input-charge limitations. For precision analog sensing (metering, sensor hubs), sample below 200 ksps and enable hardware oversampling to 16-bit effective resolution. Use a dedicated analog ground island tied to the main GND at a single point near the MCU's GND pin, and route ADC inputs away from PWM and SERCOM switching traces to avoid digital crosstalk.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page; AEC-Q100 not applicable (non-automotive-qualified -AUT variant). See ATSAMC21E17A-AUT automotive-grade counterpart for AEC-Q100 needs.
