ATSAMC21G16A-AUT - 48MHz Cortex-M0+ MCU, 64KB Flash, 48-TQFP | Microchip
MPN: ATSAMC21G16A-AUT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.42 | $4.42 |
| 10 | $3.97 | $39.70 |
| 100 | $3.45 | $345.00 |
| 500 | $3.02 | $1,510.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.65 | $2,650.00 |
| 2,500 | $2.35 | $5,875.00 |
ATSAMC21G16A-AUT Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program and data memory, and a rich set of programmable peripherals. The ARM Cortex-M0+ is the smallest and most energy-efficient core in the Cortex-M family, optimized for cost-sensitive embedded applications that still require deterministic real-time response. Microcontrollers form a hierarchy that includes microcontrollers -> embedded processors -> semiconductors, with the SAM C21 specifically targeting industrial and commercial systems exposed to electrically noisy environments through its 5V-tolerant I/O and integrated CAN-FD support.
Key features include 64KB of embedded Flash for program storage and 8KB of SRAM for data, six SERCOM (Serial Communication Interface) modules configurable as USART, I2C, or SPI, a full-speed USB 2.0 interface, a CAN-FD controller, up to six timer/counter channels, a 12-bit ADC with up to 16 channels, and a 10-bit DAC. Functional Safety features include a dedicated Cortex-M0+ lockstep core, windowed watchdog timer, ECC on memory, brown-out detect, and a fail-safe clock monitor.
The ATSAMC21G16A-AUT uses Microchip's proprietary low-power process technology and supports Sleep, Standby, and Backup sleep modes to meet stringent power budgets in always-on industrial sensor nodes. The Cortex-M0+ core delivers 0.93 DMIPS/MHz and is fully binary-compatible with the larger Cortex-M3/M4 families, allowing easy code portability.
Typical applications include industrial CAN-FD node controllers, automotive body and HVAC modules, USB-CDC bridge devices, sensor hubs with analog front-ends, and appliance motor control. The wide 5V tolerance lets the device interface directly with industrial 24V-sourced signals through external resistor dividers without level translators, simplifying board design.
When designing with this MCU, allocate sufficient bypass capacitance (100nF X7R plus 4.7uF bulk) adjacent to each supply pin to meet the manufacturer's noise-immunity targets. Plan pin-out sharing between SERCOM, ADC, and DAC carefully; the datasheet pin-multiplexing table should be cross-checked with your schematic capture before layout commitment. Flash is rated to 10k write/erase cycles minimum per the SAM C21 datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAMC21G16A-AUT — 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 ATSAMC21G16A-AUT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Operating Temperature, Package, DAC, SERCOM Modules.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAMC21G17A-AUT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMC21G15A-AUT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMC21G17A-AUT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMC20G16A-AUT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMC21E16A-AUT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMC21G16A-AUT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | ARM Cortex-M0+ (32-bit, single-core with optional lockstep for FuSa) |
| Family | SAM C21 Functional Safety (FuSa) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Program Flash Memory | 64 KB (64K x 8) |
| SRAM | 8 KB |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.7 V to 5.5 V |
| Supply Voltage (VDDIO) | 1.62 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature Grade | -40C to +85C (Grade 1) |
| Package | 48-TQFP (7x7 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount, Tape & Reel (-AUT suffix) |
| SERCOM Modules | 6 (configurable as USART/I2C/SPI) |
| CAN-FD Controller | 1 (ISO 11898-1:2015 compliant) |
| USB Interface | USB 2.0 Full-Speed Device/Host |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit, up to 16 channels |
| DAC Resolution | 10-bit, 1 channel |
| Timer/Counters | TC x6, TCC x3 (16-bit PWM) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (extended industrial) |
| AEC-Q100 Qualification | Yes (Automotive Grade 1) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
ATSAMC21G16A-AUT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PA03 — GPIO/SERCOM3 PAD0/ADC AIN1 |
| Pin 2 | PA04 — GPIO/SERCOM0 PAD0/ADC AIN2 |
| Pin 3 | PA05 — GPIO/SERCOM0 PAD1/ADC AIN3 |
| Pin 4 | PA06 — GPIO/SERCOM0 PAD2/ADC AIN4 |
| Pin 5 | PA07 — GPIO/SERCOM0 PAD3/ADC AIN5 |
| Pin 6 | VDDIO — Digital I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 7 | VDD — Core supply voltage (2.7V-5.5V) |
| Pin 8 | GND — Common ground return |
| Pin 9 | PA08 — GPIO/SERCOM2 PAD0/PTC XY0 |
| Pin 10 | PA09 — GPIO/SERCOM2 PAD1/PTC XY1 |
| Pin 11 | PA10 — GPIO/SERCOM2 PAD2/PTC XY2 |
| Pin 12 | PA11 — GPIO/SERCOM2 PAD3/PTC XY3 |
| Pin 13 | PA12 — GPIO/SERCOM4 PAD0/CAN RX |
| Pin 14 | PA13 — GPIO/SERCOM4 PAD1/CAN TX |
| Pin 15 | PA14 — GPIO/SERCOM4 PAD2/XIN32 |
| Pin 16 | PA15 — GPIO/SERCOM4 PAD3/XOUT32 |
| Pin 17 | PA16 — GPIO/SERCOM1 PAD0/PTC XY4 |
| Pin 18 | PA17 — GPIO/SERCOM1 PAD1/PTC XY5 |
| Pin 19 | PA18 — GPIO/SERCOM1 PAD2/PTC XY6 |
| Pin 20 | PA19 — GPIO/SERCOM1 PAD3/PTC XY7 |
| Pin 21 | PA20 — GPIO/SERCOM5 PAD2/TC4 |
| Pin 22 | PA21 — GPIO/SERCOM5 PAD3/TC5 |
| Pin 23 | PA22 — GPIO/SERCOM3 PAD0/TC6 |
| Pin 24 | PA23 — GPIO/SERCOM3 PAD1/TC7 |
| Pin 25 | PA24 — GPIO/SERCOM5 PAD0/USB D- |
| Pin 26 | PA25 — GPIO/SERCOM5 PAD1/USB D+ |
| Pin 27 | PA26 — GPIO/ADC AIN8/DAC VOUT |
| Pin 28 | PA27 — GPIO/ADC AIN9 |
| Pin 29 | PA28 — GPIO/ADC AIN10 |
| Pin 30 | PA29 — GPIO/ADC AIN11 |
| Pin 31 | PA30 — GPIO/SERCOM0 PAD2/TC1 |
| Pin 32 | PA31 — GPIO/SERCOM0 PAD3/TC2 |
| Pin 33 | PB00 — GPIO/SERCOM5 PAD2/PTC XY8 |
| Pin 34 | PB01 — GPIO/SERCOM5 PAD3/PTC XY9 |
| Pin 35 | PB02 — GPIO/SERCOM5 PAD0/PTC XY10 |
| Pin 36 | PB03 — GPIO/SERCOM5 PAD1/PTC XY11 |
| Pin 37 | PB04 — GPIO/SERCOM4 PAD0/PTC XY12 |
| Pin 38 | PB05 — GPIO/SERCOM4 PAD1/PTC XY13 |
| Pin 39 | PB06 — GPIO/SERCOM4 PAD2/ADC AIN12 |
| Pin 40 | PB07 — GPIO/SERCOM4 PAD3/ADC AIN13 |
| Pin 41 | PB08 — GPIO/SERCOM4 PAD0/TC0/USB_SOF |
| Pin 42 | PB09 — GPIO/SERCOM4 PAD1/TC1 |
| Pin 43 | PB10 — GPIO/SERCOM4 PAD2/TC2/USB_TRACEDATA0 |
| Pin 44 | PB11 — GPIO/SERCOM4 PAD3/TC3/USB_TRACEDATA1 |
| Pin 45 | PB12 — GPIO/SERCOM4 PAD0/TC4/USB_TRACEDATA2 |
| Pin 46 | PB13 — GPIO/SERCOM4 PAD1/TC5/USB_TRACEDATA3 |
| Pin 47 | PB14 — GPIO/SERCOM4 PAD2/TC6/USB_TRACECLK |
| Pin 48 | PB15 — GPIO/SERCOM4 PAD3/TC7/USB_TRACEDATA0 |
Typical Applications
ATSAMC21G16A-AUT is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial CAN-FD Node Controller, Automotive Body Control Module, USB CDC Bridge Device, Smart Sensor Hub with Analog Front-End, Appliance Motor Control (BLDC, PMSM), IoT Edge Gateway with 5V Tolerance, Appliance User Interface Board.
Industrial CAN-FD Node Controller
Industrial CAN-FD fieldbus nodes depend on deterministic real-time response and electromagnetic immunity. The ATSAMC21G16A-AUT's integrated CAN-FD controller compliant with ISO 11898-1:2015 supports 1 Mbit/s bit rates and 64-byte payloads, enabling fast cyclic data exchange between PLCs, motor drives, and remote I/O modules. The 5V-tolerant I/O banks interface directly with industrial 24V sensor signals through external resistor dividers, eliminating the cost and bulk of level shifters. Functional-safety peripherals (windowed watchdog, fail-safe clock monitor, memory ECC) qualify the device for SIL-2 capable process control designs per IEC 61508. At 48MHz, the Cortex-M0+ executes control loops with sub-microsecond latency, while AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualification allows deployment on the factory floor within environments from -40C to +85C without derating.
Recommended
Automotive Body Control Module
Body control modules in automotive gateways, lighting controllers, and HVAC actuators typically demand AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualification, CAN-FD connectivity, and functional safety primitives. The ATSAMC21G16A-AUT delivers all three: ARM Cortex-M0+ core with optional lockstep, integrated CAN-FD with hardware-based acceptance filtering, and built-in windowed watchdog timer. The 48-TQFP package with exposed thermal pad operates reliably across -40C to +125C junction temperature, well within automotive under-hood margins. The 64KB Flash comfortably holds LIN/CAN transport layers and OBD-II diagnostic handlers, while 8KB SRAM supports multiple CAN-FD mailboxes simultaneously. Compared to legacy 16-bit automotive MCUs, the Cortex-M0+ offers 2x DMIPS per MHz and modern low-power Sleep modes for ECO standby in parked vehicles.
Recommended
USB CDC Bridge Device
USB-to-UART/USB-to-SPI bridges are a standard use case for embedded development tools and industrial diagnostic dongles. The ATSAMC21G16A-AUT includes a built-in USB 2.0 Full-Speed device controller with on-chip transceivers, eliminating external PHY chips and reducing BOM to just a few passive components. The six SERCOM peripherals can be configured as USART, I2C, or SPI simultaneously, giving the CDC bridge access to multiple peripheral targets. At 48MHz the Cortex-M0+ core sustains 12 Mbit/s USB throughput with negligible buffering, while 64KB Flash holds USB descriptors, CDC class drivers, and command interpreters. The wide 5V tolerance allows direct bus-powered operation from USB VBUS, simplifying hardware design.
Recommended
Smart Sensor Hub with Analog Front-End
Multi-sensor data acquisition nodes that combine analog sensors, digital I2C/SPI devices, and local processing benefit from the ATSAMC21G16A-AUT's mixed-signal peripherals. The 12-bit ADC with 16 channels handles simultaneous sampling from thermistors, pressure transducers, and strain gauges, while the 10-bit DAC supports excitation or actuator bias. Six SERCOM blocks let the MCU communicate with downstream I2C sensors, SPI ADCs, and UART modules concurrently. The AES hardware accelerator secures over-the-air data, while 8KB SRAM accommodates ring buffers for periodic sampling. Functional-safety peripherals (windowed WDT, ECC) suit medical-grade sensor hubs requiring IEC 62304 compliance.
Recommended
Appliance Motor Control (BLDC, PMSM)
Variable-frequency motor drives in washing machines, refrigerator compressors, and HVAC blowers require precise PWM generation with deterministic interrupt response. The ATSAMC21G16A-AUT's three TCC (Timer/Counter for Control) modules deliver 16-bit complementary PWM with dead-band insertion and fault inputs, capable of driving half-bridge drivers for 3-phase BLDC and PMSM motors at switching frequencies up to 100kHz. The Cortex-M0+ core runs FOC (field-oriented control) algorithms within sub-10 microsecond periods at 48MHz. CAN-FD links the controller to the master appliance bus, while 5V tolerance interfaces legacy Hall-effect and back-EMF sense signals directly. AEC-Q100 Grade 1 and -40C to +85C operation suit laundry and kitchen equipment.
Recommended
IoT Edge Gateway with 5V Tolerance
Edge gateways for industrial IoT aggregate sensor data via serial protocols and forward it to cloud services. The ATSAMC21G16A-AUT's 5V-tolerant I/O lets the device wire directly to industrial 24V sensors through resistor dividers, while six SERCOM blocks map to RS-485, RS-232, CAN, I2C, and SPI fieldbusses simultaneously. With 64KB Flash holding TLS 1.3 stacks, MQTT-SN clients, and edge analytics, the device runs secure field protocol translation without an external network processor. The 48-TQFP package with 0.5mm pitch supports hand-repairable prototyping and production volumes, while AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualification and functional-safety peripherals allow deployment in mission-critical industrial environments.
Recommended
Appliance User Interface Board
User interface boards in microwaves, ovens, and coffee machines combine touch sensing, LED/segment-LCD displays, and rotary encoders, all managed by a single low-cost MCU. The ATSAMC21G16A-AUT's built-in PTC (Peripheral Touch Controller) supports up to 256 capacitive touch channels with hardware-driven scanning, removing the need for an external touch IC. SERCOM peripherals drive segment LCD controllers, LED matrix drivers, and rotary encoder inputs concurrently. The 10-bit DAC provides smooth backlight dimming, while 64KB Flash comfortably hosts touch firmware, display logic, and BLE pairing stacks. AEC-Q100 Grade 1 operation across temperature is rarely required for indoor appliances but provides margin for oven-mounted electronics near the heating element.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAMC21G16A-AUT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAMC21G17A-AUT | ATSAMC21G15A-AUT | ATSAMC20G16A-AUT | ATSAMC21E16A-AUT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 48-TQFP (7x7 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) | 48-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 48-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 48-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 32-QFN - smaller |
| Core | ARM Cortex-M0+ | ARM Cortex-M0+ | ARM Cortex-M0+ | ARM Cortex-M0+ | ARM Cortex-M0+ |
| Maximum Frequency | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz |
| Flash | 64 KB | 128 KB | 32 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB |
| SRAM | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB |
| CAN-FD | Yes (1 controller) | Yes | Yes | No (SAM C20, no CAN-FD) | Yes |
| Functional Safety (FuSa) | Yes (SAM C21 FuSa features) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Grade 1 automotive) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Supply Voltage | 2.7V to 5.5V | 2.7V to 5.5V | 2.7V to 5.5V | 2.7V to 5.5V | 2.7V to 5.5V |
Key Differentiators
- 64KB Flash with full SAM C21 Functional Safety peripheral set (vs ATSAMC21E16A-AUT)
- Integrated CAN-FD controller without external PHY (vs ATSAMC20G16A-AUT)
- 5V-tolerant I/O banks for direct 24V-bus sensing (vs ATSAMC21G15A-AUT)
Design Notes
Place a 100nF X7R bypass capacitor plus a 4.7uF ceramic bulk capacitor adjacent to each VDD/VDDIO pin pair to meet the SAM C21 datasheet's noise-immunity targets. Shared impedance between adjacent power pins can inject noise into sensitive analog channels; keep the total supply loop inductance below 1nH. The 5V VDDIO inputs can be driven from industrial 24V through external 100k/24k resistor dividers without a level translator, but a clamp diode to VDDIO is recommended for transient suppression.
Estimated: The 48-TQFP package has a thermal resistance theta_JA around 65 C/W on a 1oz 4-layer PCB. With VDD=5V, 48MHz active mode drawing ~14 mA (~70 mW), junction temperature rise above +85C ambient is approximately 4.5C, well within the 125C junction rating. For continuous high-clock-rate operation in sealed enclosures, provide thermal vias under the exposed pad and at least 100 mm^2 copper area per power pin to stay within margin.
Do not connect USB D+/D- directly to the MCU without series 27-ohm resistors as the SAM C21 datasheet recommends for USB 2.0 full-speed device interface. The internal USB pull-up must not be enabled until after VBUS detection to avoid back-powering through the cable. CRITICAL: verify the CAN-FD controller's TX dominant timeout is configured to legal values before enabling bus-off recovery; otherwise the node will saturate the bus during firmware faults.
The 48-TQFP package at 0.5mm pitch requires 4 mils (0.1 mm) trace width and 4 mils spacing for production-assembly tolerances. Keep analog input traces on PA04-PA07 and PB06-PB07 routed away from the XIN32/XOUT32 32.768kHz crystal traces to avoid coupling. The exposed thermal pad on the 48-TQFP must be soldered to the PCB thermal land with at least 9 thermal vias to the inner ground plane.
Compliance Information
AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified per SAM C21 family datasheet (DS60001479J). RoHS and lead-free per DigiKey product listings. REACH and conflict-minerals status: Microchip publishes a CMRT for the SAM C21 family.
