ATSAMD21G17D-AUT - ARM Cortex-M0+ 48MHz 128KB MCU | Microchip
MPN: ATSAMD21G17D-AUT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.3 | $4.30 |
| 10 | $3.87 | $38.70 |
| 100 | $3.46 | $346.00 |
| 500 | $3.1 | $1,550.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.78 | $2,780.00 |
ATSAMD21G17D-AUT Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program and data memory, and peripheral interfaces onto one silicon die. The Cortex-M0+ is the most energy-efficient core in the ARM Cortex-M family, designed for deterministic real-time control at the lowest possible active and sleep current. Microcontrollers of this class bridge the gap between discrete 8-bit MCUs and higher-performance Cortex-M3/M4 parts, providing 32-bit compute at ultra-low power budgets.
Key features of the ATSAMD21G17D-AUT include a 32.768 kHz low-power RTC with calendar mode, up to six SERCOM channels for flexible serial communication, a 10-bit DAC, and an Event System for inter-peripheral signalling without CPU intervention. The integrated Full-Speed USB transceiver eliminates the need for an external PHY, while the 12-bit ADC achieves up to 350 ksps. The device also includes a capacitive touch hardware controller, supporting button, slider, and wheel interfaces.
The ATSAMD21G17D-AUT uses a Harvard architecture with separate code and data buses, an MPU for memory protection, and Microchip's Atmel START / MPLAB X IDE ecosystem. Power management is handled by multiple sleep modes (IDLE, STANDBY, BACKUP) that reduce quiescent current to single-digit microamps.
Typical applications include USB Human Interface Devices (HID), home automation controllers, smart metering nodes, consumer wearables, and industrial sensor hubs. The combination of USB, capacitive touch, and 12-bit ADC makes it especially attractive for cost-sensitive IoT edge devices.
When designing with this MCU, allocate a 1.5 KB bootloader region for double-tap firmware upgrades via USB and provide at least 4 uF bulk decoupling on VDDIN. For noise-sensitive analog measurements, use the dedicated AVDD pin with a ferrite bead and clean ground return.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in pin-compatible alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAMD21G17D-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 ATSAMD21G17D-AUT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Operating Temperature, DAC, USB, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAMD21G17D-AZT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAMD21G17A-AUT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$3.41 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMD21G18A-AUT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAMD21G17A-MFT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMD21G18A-AU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMD21G17A-AU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMD21G17D-AUT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | ARM Cortex-M0+ (32-bit, single-core) |
| CPU Family | SAM D21G (Functional Safety) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Program Flash | 128 KB (128K x 8) |
| SRAM | 16 KB |
| RWW Flash Section | 4 KB |
| Package | 48-TQFP (7x7 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (Tape & Reel) |
| Operating Voltage (VDDIN) | 1.62 V to 3.63 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| ADC | 12-bit SAR, up to 20 channels, 350 ksps |
| DAC | 10-bit, 1 channel |
| USB | Full-Speed USB 2.0 Device with integrated PHY |
| SERCOM Channels | Up to 6 (configurable as I2C/SPI/UART) |
| Timers/Counters | TC x3, TCC x3 |
| RTC | 32.768 kHz RTC with calendar mode |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | 3 (per JEDEC J-STD-020) |
ATSAMD21G17D-AUT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PA00 — I/O pin / XIN32 (RTC crystal input) |
| Pin 2 | PA01 — I/O pin / XOUT32 (RTC crystal output) |
| Pin 3 | PA02 — I/O pin / AIN0 (ADC input) |
| Pin 4 | PA03 — I/O pin / AIN1 / VREFA |
| Pin 5 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 6 | VDDIN — Digital supply voltage input (1.62 V to 3.63 V) |
| Pin 7 | PA04 — I/O pin / AIN2 / VREFB |
| Pin 8 | PA05 — I/O pin / AIN3 |
| Pin 9 | PA06 — I/O pin / AIN4 |
| Pin 10 | PA07 — I/O pin / AIN5 |
| Pin 11 | PA08 — I/O pin / AIN6 |
| Pin 12 | PA09 — I/O pin / AIN7 |
| Pin 13 | PA10 — I/O pin / AIN8 |
| Pin 14 | PA11 — I/O pin / AIN9 |
| Pin 15 | VDDIO — I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 16 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 17 | PA12 — I/O pin |
| Pin 18 | PA13 — I/O pin |
| Pin 19 | PA14 — I/O pin / XIN (main crystal input) |
| Pin 20 | PA15 — I/O pin / XOUT (main crystal output) |
| Pin 21 | PA16 — I/O pin / I2S_SD0 |
| Pin 22 | PA17 — I/O pin / I2S_FS0 |
| Pin 23 | PA18 — I/O pin / I2S_SCK0 |
| Pin 24 | PA19 — I/O pin / I2S_MCK0 |
| Pin 25 | PA20 — I/O pin / GCLK_IO[6] |
| Pin 26 | PA21 — I/O pin / GCLK_IO[7] |
| Pin 27 | PA22 — I/O pin / TCC0_WO[4] |
| Pin 28 | PA23 — I/O pin / USB_DM |
| Pin 29 | PA24 — I/O pin / USB_DP |
| Pin 30 | PA25 — I/O pin |
| Pin 31 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 32 | VDDIO — I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 33 | PA27 — I/O pin |
| Pin 34 | PA28 — I/O pin |
| Pin 35 | PA30 — I/O pin / SWCLK |
| Pin 36 | PA31 — I/O pin / SWDIO |
| Pin 37 | PB02 — I/O pin / AIN10 |
| Pin 38 | PB03 — I/O pin / AIN11 |
| Pin 39 | PB08 — I/O pin / AIN12 |
| Pin 40 | PB09 — I/O pin / AIN13 |
| Pin 41 | PB10 — I/O pin / AIN14 |
| Pin 42 | PB11 — I/O pin / AIN15 |
| Pin 43 | PB22 — I/O pin |
| Pin 44 | PB23 — I/O pin |
| Pin 45 | AVDD — Analog supply voltage (tie to VDDIN through ferrite) |
| Pin 46 | GND — Analog ground |
| Pin 47 | VDDIO — I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 48 | RESETN — Reset (active low) |
Typical Applications
ATSAMD21G17D-AUT is suitable for 6 applications: USB Human Interface Devices (HID), Home Automation Controllers, Capacitive Touch User Interfaces, Industrial Sensor Hubs, Smart Metering Endpoints, Consumer Wearables.
USB Human Interface Devices (HID)
The ATSAMD21G17D-AUT is ideal for USB HID peripherals including keyboards, mice, game controllers, and custom input devices. The integrated Full-Speed USB 2.0 Device controller with on-chip PHY eliminates the need for an external PHY chip, reducing BOM cost. With 128 KB Flash, the MCU can host a USB bootloader and application firmware simultaneously; the 4 KB RWW section allows firmware upgrades without disconnecting from the host. The 48 MHz Cortex-M0+ delivers 0.93 DMIPS/MHz, sufficient for real-time HID polling at 1 kHz without CPU bottlenecks.
Recommended
Home Automation Controllers
The ATSAMD21G17D-AUT fits home automation gateway nodes thanks to its low-power operation and flexible peripheral set. Six SERCOM channels can simultaneously drive I2C sensors (temperature, humidity), SPI radios (LoRa, BLE modules), and UART communication to a WiFi co-processor. The 12-bit ADC with 20 channels directly reads analog sensor outputs without an external ADC. STANDBY mode at sub-5 uA with RTC running enables battery-powered sensor nodes that last several months on a CR2032 coin cell.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interfaces
The ATSAMD21G17D-AUT features integrated hardware capacitive touch support through the Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC), enabling up to 256 buttons, sliders, or wheels with no external IC. The PTC handles acquisition autonomously and notifies the CPU via interrupts, freeing cycles for the application. Combined with 16 KB SRAM, complex touch state machines and gesture recognition can run at low CPU load. Industrial temperature range and 128 KB Flash make it suitable for kitchen appliances, vending machines, and elevator panels.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Hubs
The ATSAMD21G17D-AUT is well-suited for industrial sensor hubs aggregating multiple analog and digital signals. The 12-bit 350 ksps ADC acquires multiple sensor channels in rapid succession; the SERCOMs handle digital communication with downstream sensors. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating plus 1.62 V to 3.63 V supply tolerance withstands factory-floor electrical noise. Event System inter-peripheral signaling ensures deterministic response without CPU intervention, ideal for safety-conscious designs.
Recommended
Smart Metering Endpoints
The ATSAMD21G17D-AUT's combination of USB, 12-bit ADC, low-power sleep, and Cortex-M0+ compute makes it a strong fit for smart metering endpoints and sub-metering data loggers. The MCU can acquire utility measurements via the ADC, store historical data in Flash, and present historical data over USB to a host for billing. RTC calendar mode supports time-stamped logging across power cycles, and the 4 KB RWW section supports over-the-air firmware updates.
Recommended
Consumer Wearables
The ATSAMD21G17D-AUT fits consumer wearables such as fitness bands and BLE beacons due to its low active power (40 uA/MHz) and sub-5 uA STANDBY. The 48 MHz Cortex-M0+ drives both the BLE radio SPI interface and the on-board display update at low CPU load. The PTC supports capacitive touch buttons for navigation, and the RTC with calendar handles timestamping. Tape-and-Reel packaging supports high-volume SMT manufacturing typical of consumer wearables.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAMD21G17D-AUT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAMD21G17D-AZT | ATSAMD21G17A-AUT | ATSAMD21G18A-AUT | ATSAMD21G17A-MFT | ATSAMD21G18A-AU | ATSAMD21G17A-AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 48-TQFP (7x7 mm) | 48-QFN (7x7 mm) | 48-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 48-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 48-QFN (7x7 mm) | 48-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 48-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| CPU Core | ARM Cortex-M0+ 48 MHz | ARM Cortex-M0+ 48 MHz | ARM Cortex-M0+ 48 MHz | ARM Cortex-M0+ 48 MHz | ARM Cortex-M0+ 48 MHz | ARM Cortex-M0+ 48 MHz | ARM Cortex-M0+ 48 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 256 KB (+100%) | 128 KB | 256 KB (+100%) | 128 KB |
| SRAM | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB (+100%) | 16 KB | 32 KB (+100%) | 16 KB |
| Full-Speed USB Device | Yes (integrated PHY) | Yes (integrated PHY) | No | Yes (integrated PHY) | No | Yes (integrated PHY) | No |
| Operating Voltage | 1.62 V to 3.63 V | 1.62 V to 3.63 V | 1.62 V to 3.63 V | 1.62 V to 3.63 V | 1.62 V to 3.63 V | 1.62 V to 3.63 V | 1.62 V to 3.63 V |
| ADC Channels / Resolution | 20 channels / 12-bit | 20 / 12-bit | 20 / 12-bit | 20 / 12-bit | 20 / 12-bit | 20 / 12-bit | 20 / 12-bit |
| Capacitive Touch (PTC) | Yes (256 buttons max) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Full-Speed USB Device with integrated PHY (vs ATSAMD21G17A-AUT)
- 128 KB Flash + 4 KB RWW for in-field firmware updates (vs ATSAMD21E17A-AU)
- Up to 20 ADC channels at 350 ksps (vs ATSAMD20J18A-MU)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 48 MHz full operation, the ATSAMD21G17D-AUT consumes roughly 40 uA/MHz, so total active current is about 1.9 mA plus peripheral current. For a USB HID application drawing 2.5 mA average, a CR2032 coin cell at 235 mAh would last roughly 90 hours continuous, but with 95% sleep duty cycle this extends to weeks. Always place a 4.7 uF bulk capacitor and a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of the VDDIN and VDDIO pins.
The ATSAMD21G17D-AUT's 48-TQFP 7x7 mm package requires a 4-layer PCB with a continuous ground plane beneath the device for stable operation. Route the SWD signals (SWCLK on PA30, SWDIO on PA31) within 50 mm of the debug connector with no series resistors to maintain signal integrity. USB DP/DM traces must be 90-ohm differential impedance-matched and kept under 25 mm in length.
Do not leave the XIN/XOUT32 pins floating if RTC is unused; Microchip recommends configuring them as GPIO or with the internal 32.768 kHz oscillator. For ADC measurements above 1 MSPS effective throughput, use the dedicated AVDD pin with a ferrite bead, not a 0-ohm link. The BOOTPROT fuse must be cleared before enabling USB bootloader via the bootloader entry pin.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per DigiKey and Mouser listings. Industrial temperature grade -40C to +85C. ECCN 3A991.a.2 per JRH Electronics listing. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive designs, use ATSAMx21xA-AUT automotive-grade parts.
