ATSAMD20G16B-AUT - 48MHz Cortex-M0+ MCU 64KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAMD20G16B-AUT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.09 | $3.09 |
| 10 | $2.85 | $28.50 |
| 100 | $2.62 | $262.00 |
| 500 | $2.41 | $1,205.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.18 | $2,180.00 |
ATSAMD20G16B-AUT Overview
What is a Cortex-M0+ microcontroller? An ARM Cortex-M0+ microcontroller is a 32-bit reduced instruction set computing (RISC) core designed for ultra-low-power embedded applications, sitting at the low-power end of the Cortex-M family below Cortex-M3/M4/M7. Microcontrollers are single-chip computers integrating CPU core, non-volatile Flash program memory, volatile SRAM, and a broad set of peripherals such as timers, ADC/DAC, communication interfaces (SERCOM), and general-purpose I/O. In the broader taxonomy: Cortex-M0+ -> ARM Cortex-M -> 32-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> integrated circuit -> semiconductor. The SAM D20 family is Microchip's mainstream low-power Cortex-M0+ line, bridging 8-bit AVR/PIC customers into 32-bit ARM designs.
Key features of the ATSAMD20G16B-AUT include a 12-bit ADC with up to 14 channels, a 10-bit DAC, six SERCOM modules configurable as UART/SPI/I2C, a 24-bit Timer/Counter for control applications, a 256-channel Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC), a Real-Time Clock (RTC), and full-speed USB device support. The device is designed for low-power operation with multiple Sleep modes and an event system for CPU-independent peripheral communication.
Architecturally, the SAM D20G16B uses a single-cycle hardware multiplier, a Nested Vector Interrupt Controller (NVIC), and Microchip's Atmel START/MPLAB X ecosystem. The integrated SERCOM blocks are highly flexible - each can be reconfigured at runtime among USART, SPI, and I2C, allowing designers to match the silicon to varied peripheral needs without changing hardware.
Typical applications include home automation, smart consumer devices, industrial sensor nodes, IoT endpoints, low-cost metering, and human-machine interface (HMI) modules. The wide operating voltage range (1.62 V to 3.6 V) and low-power modes also make it well suited for battery-powered designs.
Design consideration: choose the TQFP-48 package when a hand-solderable footprint or socketed prototype is required; use the QFN-48 (SAM D20G18A-MU family) for space-constrained designs. Programming and debug are done via the SWD interface - reserve the SWDIO/SWDCLK pins or plan for board rework.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in pin-compatible alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAMD20G16B-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 ATSAMD20G16B-AUT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, DAC, MSL Level, Operating Temperature, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAMD20G16B-AU
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAMD20G16B-ANT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMD20G16B-AN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.71 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMD20G16A-AN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMD21G16B-AUT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMD20G16A-AUT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAMD20G16B-AUT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | ARM Cortex-M0+ (32-bit) |
| Family | SAM D20G |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 48 MHz |
| Flash Program Memory | 64 KB (64K x 8) |
| SRAM | 8 KB |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.62 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) |
| Package | 48-TQFP (7x7 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| ADC | 12-bit, up to 14 channels |
| DAC | 10-bit |
| SERCOM Modules | 6 (configurable as UART/SPI/I2C) |
| Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC) | 256 channels |
| Timers | 32-bit TCC, multiple TC, RTC |
| Debug Interface | SWD (Serial Wire Debug) |
| I/O Pins (approx.) | 38 |
| MSL Level | 3 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (Green) |
ATSAMD20G16B-AUT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PA00 — GPIO PA00, XIN (external clock input) |
| Pin 2 | PA01 — GPIO PA01, XOUT (external clock output) |
| Pin 3 | PA02 — GPIO PA02, AIN0 (ADC analog input) |
| Pin 4 | PA03 — GPIO PA03, AIN1, VREFA (ADC reference) |
| Pin 5 | PA04 — GPIO PA04, AIN2 |
| Pin 6 | PA05 — GPIO PA05, AIN3 |
| Pin 7 | PA06 — GPIO PA06, AIN4 |
| Pin 8 | PA07 — GPIO PA07, AIN5 |
| Pin 9 | VDDIO — Digital I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 10 | GND — Common ground |
| Pin 11 | PA08 — GPIO PA08, AIN6 |
| Pin 12 | PA09 — GPIO PA09, AIN7, SERCOM0 PAD1 |
| Pin 13 | PA10 — GPIO PA10, AIN8, SERCOM0 PAD2 |
| Pin 14 | PA11 — GPIO PA11, AIN9, SERCOM0 PAD3 |
| Pin 15 | VDDANA — Analog supply voltage |
| Pin 16 | GNDANA — Analog ground |
| Pin 17 | PA12 — GPIO PA12, AIN10, SERCOM2 PAD0 |
| Pin 18 | PA13 — GPIO PA13, AIN11, SERCOM2 PAD1 |
| Pin 19 | PA14 — GPIO PA14, AIN12, SERCOM2 PAD2 |
| Pin 20 | PA15 — GPIO PA15, AIN13, SERCOM2 PAD3 |
| Pin 21 | PA16 — GPIO PA16, SERCOM1 PAD0, TCC0 WO0 |
| Pin 22 | PA17 — GPIO PA17, SERCOM1 PAD1, TCC0 WO1 |
| Pin 23 | PA18 — GPIO PA18, SERCOM1 PAD2, TCC0 WO2 |
| Pin 24 | PA19 — GPIO PA19, SERCOM1 PAD3, TCC0 WO3 |
| Pin 25 | PA20 — GPIO PA20, SERCOM3 PAD0 |
| Pin 26 | PA21 — GPIO PA21, SERCOM3 PAD1 |
| Pin 27 | PA22 — GPIO PA22, SERCOM3 PAD2 |
| Pin 28 | PA23 — GPIO PA23, SERCOM3 PAD3, VREFB |
| Pin 29 | PB00 — GPIO PB00, SERCOM5 PAD0 |
| Pin 30 | PB01 — GPIO PB01, SERCOM5 PAD1 |
| Pin 31 | PB02 — GPIO PB02, SERCOM5 PAD2, ADC AIN14 |
| Pin 32 | PB03 — GPIO PB03, SERCOM5 PAD3 |
| Pin 33 | PB04 — GPIO PB04, SERCOM4 PAD0 |
| Pin 34 | PB05 — GPIO PB05, SERCOM4 PAD1 |
| Pin 35 | PB06 — GPIO PB06, SERCOM4 PAD2 |
| Pin 36 | PB07 — GPIO PB07, SERCOM4 PAD3 |
| Pin 37 | PB08 — GPIO PB08, SERCOM4 PAD0 alt |
| Pin 38 | PB09 — GPIO PB09, SERCOM4 PAD1 alt |
| Pin 39 | VDDCORE — Internal regulator output (decoupling cap) |
| Pin 40 | GND — Common ground |
| Pin 41 | PB10 — GPIO PB10, SERCOM4 PAD2 alt |
| Pin 42 | PB11 — GPIO PB11, SERCOM4 PAD3 alt |
| Pin 43 | PB12 — GPIO PB12, SERCOM5 PAD0 alt |
| Pin 44 | PB13 — GPIO PB13, SERCOM5 PAD1 alt |
| Pin 45 | PB14 — GPIO PB14, SERCOM5 PAD2 alt |
| Pin 46 | PB15 — GPIO PB15, SERCOM5 PAD3 alt |
| Pin 47 | PA30 — SWDIO (programming/debug data) |
| Pin 48 | PA31 — SWDCLK (programming/debug clock) |
Typical Applications
ATSAMD20G16B-AUT is suitable for 6 applications: Home Automation Hubs and Sensor Nodes, Industrial Sensor and Metering Modules, Low-Cost Consumer Electronics and HMI, Battery-Powered IoT Endpoints, Automotive Aftermarket Accessories (Non-Safety), Smart LED Lighting and Human-Machine Interfaces.
Home Automation Hubs and Sensor Nodes
The ATSAMD20G16B-AUT is well-suited to home automation sensor nodes because its 48 MHz Cortex-M0+ core handles wireless stacks such as Zigbee, BLE (via external radio), and LoRa while its 64 KB Flash and 8 KB SRAM fit small RTOS-based applications. The 1.62 V to 3.6 V operating range supports battery-powered designs from a single CR2032 coin cell or two AA cells. With six configurable SERCOM peripherals, the device can simultaneously drive UART-attached sensors, an SPI LCD, and an I2C sensor cluster. The integrated 12-bit ADC samples up to 14 analog channels, ideal for temperature, humidity, and PIR motion sensors typically found in home automation designs.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor and Metering Modules
The ATSAMD20G16B-AUT's industrial -40 °C to +85 °C temperature rating makes it suitable for factory-floor metering and process monitoring modules. The 12-bit ADC supports accurate measurement of 4-20 mA loop signals through an external sense resistor and instrumentation amplifier, while the 10-bit DAC can be used to generate excitation signals for strain-gauge bridges. Six SERCOM channels provide the UART/SPI/I2C interfaces needed for digital sensors, modbus connectivity, and local display drivers. The Cortex-M0+ core executes deterministic control loops with cycle counts appropriate for slow industrial control loops (sub-100 Hz bandwidth).
Recommended
Low-Cost Consumer Electronics and HMI
Consumer devices such as remote controls, white-goods HMI panels, and small appliances benefit from the ATSAMD20G16B-AUT's integrated 256-channel Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC), which enables capacitive touch buttons and sliders without an external touch IC. Six SERCOM modules drive SPI displays, I2C audio DACs, and UART connectivity modules. The 64 KB Flash accommodates small graphical menus and BLE stack libraries, while the 1.62 V to 3.6 V range simplifies single-cell lithium-battery designs with no LDO required. The 38 available GPIO pins provide ample headroom for LED indicators, push-buttons, and buzzer interfaces common in consumer HMI.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Endpoints
IoT endpoints - environmental sensors, asset trackers, and wearable monitors - rely on the ATSAMD20G16B-AUT's multiple low-power Sleep modes (IDLE, STANDBY, BACKUP) and sub-µA RTC operation to extend battery life into the multi-year range. The 48 MHz Cortex-M0+ can wake on ADC threshold, RTC alarm, or external interrupt to perform a fast sensor read and then return to Sleep. The 1.62 V minimum VDD supports continued operation down to the end-of-discharge voltage of common lithium chemistries, extracting maximum energy from the cell. With 8 KB SRAM, small sensor-fusion and edge-AI inference workloads (e.g., keyword spotting, anomaly detection) fit within on-chip memory.
Recommended
Automotive Aftermarket Accessories (Non-Safety)
The ATSAMD20G16B-AUT, while not AEC-Q100 qualified, is suitable for non-safety automotive aftermarket products such as interior lighting controllers, OBD-II scan tools, and diagnostic adapters. The 1.62 V to 3.6 V supply range accommodates direct battery rail sensing via an external divider and ADC channel. Six SERCOM interfaces support CAN transceivers (via SPI-attached MCP2515), OBD-II UART links, and Bluetooth/Wi-Fi companion modules. The industrial -40 °C to +85 °C range covers cabin temperatures in most climates, though under-dash temperatures in extreme climates may exceed this range - verify against your deployment environment.
Recommended
Smart LED Lighting and Human-Machine Interfaces
The ATSAMD20G16B-AUT's 38 GPIO pins, six SERCOM interfaces, and 12-bit ADC suit smart LED controllers and human-machine interface (HMI) modules driving addressable RGB LED strips. The 10-bit DAC provides smooth dimming and color-mixing reference voltages for analog LED drivers, while the 12-bit ADC reads photodiodes for ambient-light feedback. The PTC supports capacitive touch sliders for color-temperature or brightness adjustment without mechanical buttons. With 64 KB Flash, designers can integrate DMX-512 reception, Zigbee lighting profiles, or BLE Mesh stacks alongside lighting firmware. The 1.62 V to 3.6 V supply simplifies single-cell lithium designs for portable fixtures.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAMD20G16B-AUT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAMD20G16B-AU | ATSAMD20G16B-ANT | ATSAMD20G16B-AN | ATSAMD20G16A-AN | ATSAMD21G16B-AUT | ATSAMD20G16A-AUT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 48-TQFP (7x7) | 48-TQFP (7x7) - same | 48-TQFP (7x7) - same | 48-TQFP (7x7) - same | 48-TQFP (7x7) - same | 48-TQFP (7x7) - same | 48-TQFP (7x7) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core | ARM Cortex-M0+ 48 MHz | Cortex-M0+ 48 MHz | Cortex-M0+ 48 MHz | Cortex-M0+ 48 MHz | Cortex-M0+ 48 MHz | Cortex-M0+ 48 MHz | Cortex-M0+ 48 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB |
| SRAM | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB |
| USB Support | None | None | None | None | None | USB 2.0 Full-Speed Device | None |
| Silicon Revision | Rev B | Rev B | Rev B | Rev B | Rev A | Rev B (SAM D21 family) | Rev A |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C |
| SERCOM Modules | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel | Tray | Tray | Tray | Tray | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel |
Key Differentiators
- No native USB - the SAM D20G family omits the USB peripheral present on the SAM D21 (vs ATSAMD21G16B-AUT)
- Rev B silicon (latest errata fixes vs rev A) (vs ATSAMD20G16A-AUT)
- Industrial -40 °C to +85 °C temperature range (vs ATSAMD20G16B-MU)
- 48-pin TQFP with 38 I/O - larger than 32-pin QFN but easier to hand-solder (vs ATSAMD20E16B-AUT)
Design Notes
The ATSAMD20G16B-AUT integrates a 1.5 V internal voltage regulator on the VDDCORE pin (pin 39). Decouple this pin with a 1 µF X7R ceramic capacitor placed within 2 mm of the pin to the GND plane. The main VDDIO (pin 9) and VDDANA (pin 15) rails accept 1.62 V to 3.6 V; place a 100 nF + 10 µF bulk capacitor pair on each rail, with the small cap nearest the pin. The analog VDDANA rail should be clean - consider an LC pi-filter or ferrite bead if the digital load is noisy, since the ADC reference noise directly impacts the 12-bit ADC accuracy.
Route the SWDIO (PA30, pin 47) and SWDCLK (PA31, pin 48) traces as short as possible and keep them away from analog ADC inputs and high-current switching signals. Place a 4-pin 0.05" pitch SWD header on the board edge (or a 10-pin Cortex Debug connector) for production programming and field debug. The TQFP-48 exposed pad is not present on this package variant (only QFN variants have it), so no center-pad soldering is required - simplifying hand-rework.
Estimated: ADC accuracy on the ATSAMD20G16B-AUT is 12 bits nominal but can degrade to ~10 ENOB at 1 Msps when the source impedance is above 1 kΩ. Place analog traces away from the crystal traces (PA00/PA01) and keep the analog ground (GNDANA, pin 16) connected directly to a quiet analog ground island. For best 12-bit ADC performance, drive each ADC input through a low-impedance buffer (op-amp follower or driver) and use the on-chip 1.0 V VREFA or external ADR5500 as the ADC reference. Charge the S/H capacitor long enough - use SAMPCTRL.SAMPLEN bits to extend acquisition time when source impedance is high.
Do NOT leave the SWD pins unconfigured in firmware - if SWD is disabled in the NVM user row without an external debugger override, the part becomes bricked. Always leave the SWD pins in their default GPIO-peripheral-mux state until firmware boots. Also, the 'B' silicon revision fixes specific errata from the 'A' revision - if migrating from rev A to rev B firmware, review the SAM D20 Errata document to confirm you are not depending on rev A behaviors that have been changed. Avoid enabling all six SERCOM modules simultaneously with high baud rates - cross-peripheral contention can occasionally trigger spurious DMA events.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant and lead-free per Microchip product page; not AEC-Q100 qualified - use ATSAMx automotive-grade parts for AEC-Q100 requirements.
