ATSAMD21J17A-CUT - SAM D21J Cortex-M0+ MCU 128KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAMD21J17A-CUT β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.2 | $5.20 |
| 10 | $4.78 | $47.80 |
| 100 | $4.15 | $415.00 |
| 500 | $3.62 | $1,810.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.05 | $3,050.00 |
| 3,000 | $2.48 | $7,440.00 |
ATSAMD21J17A-CUT Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash), working memory (SRAM), and a rich set of peripherals. The SAM D21 family belongs to the broader category of low-power ARM Cortex-M0+ microcontrollers, positioned between 8-bit AVR/PIC microcontrollers and higher-performance Cortex-M4/M7 parts. It serves as the brain of embedded systems requiring deterministic real-time control with low energy consumption.
Key features of this device include a 48 MHz Cortex-M0+ core reaching 2.46 CoreMark/MHz, Full-Speed USB 2.0 with on-chip transceiver, a 12-bit 350 ksps ADC with up to 20 channels, two analog comparators, a 10-bit DAC, up to six SERCOM configurable serial communication peripherals, an Event System for inter-peripheral signaling, and a Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC) supporting capacitive touch sensing. The device operates from 1.62V to 3.63V across the industrial -40C to +85C temperature range.
The SAM D21 architecture combines a high-performance 32-bit core with Microchip's SleepWalking technology, enabling peripherals to wake the core only on relevant events while consuming only a few microamperes. The integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed transceiver eliminates external PHY chips, reducing BOM cost for connected consumer and industrial products. Hardware cryptographic support includes AES-256 and True Random Number Generator (TRNG) blocks.
Typical applications include home automation gateways, smart consumer appliances, IoT sensor nodes, industrial metering, HVAC controllers, USB HID peripherals (keyboards, mice, custom HID), wearable health monitors, and capacitive touch human-machine interfaces. The combination of USB, capacitive touch, and rich analog peripherals makes this MCU especially well-suited to products that must communicate with hosts and interact with users.
Designers should budget adequate PCB area for the 64-ball UFBGA 5x5 mm footprint, which requires sub-0.5 mm pitch fanout routing. For new designs, evaluate the ATSAMD21J17A-AUT TQFP-64 variant for easier prototyping and hand-rework, since BGA packages require X-ray inspection. Decoupling capacitors should be placed within 3 mm of all supply pins with a 4.7 uF bulk plus 100 nF ceramic combination.
This page consolidates distributor stock, parametric drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes that complement the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAMD21J17A-CUT 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 ATSAMD21J17A-CUT (same form factor and footprint) β differing in ADC, Package, SRAM, DAC, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAMD21J17A-CU
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAMD21J17A-CUT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | SAM D21J |
| Core Architecture | ARM Cortex-M0+ |
| Core Width | 32-bit |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 48 MHz |
| CoreMark/MHz | 2.46 |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 128 KB (128K x 8) |
| SRAM | 16 KB |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.62 V to 3.63 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C |
| Package | 64-UFBGA (5x5 mm) |
| USB Interface | USB 2.0 Full-Speed with on-chip transceiver |
| ADC | 12-bit, up to 350 ksps, up to 20 channels |
| DAC | 10-bit, 1 channel |
| Analog Comparators | 2 |
| SERCOM | Up to 6 configurable serial peripherals |
| Peripheral Touch Controller | Supported (PTC) |
| DMA Channels | 12 |
| Hardware Cryptography | AES-256, TRNG |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
ATSAMD21J17A-CUT 64-ufbga (5x5 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAMD21J17A-CUT (64-ufbga (5x5 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 ATSAMD21J17A-CUT.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAMD21J17A-CUT is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Peripheral (Keyboard/Mouse/Custom HID), IoT Wireless Sensor Node, Home Automation Gateway / Smart Appliance, Industrial Metering (Energy / Water / Gas), Wearable Health Monitor, Capacitive Touch HMI (Buttons / Slider / Wheel).
USB HID Peripheral (Keyboard/Mouse/Custom HID)
The ATSAMD21J17A-CUT is ideally suited for USB Human Interface Devices thanks to its integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed transceiver with on-chip PHY, eliminating the need for external USB interface chips. The 48 MHz Cortex-M0+ core has more than sufficient headroom for HID class drivers, keyboard matrices, or custom vendor-class protocols, while 128 KB Flash comfortably accommodates USB stacks, bootloaders, and application firmware. Six SERCOM peripherals can be reconfigured to support I2C sensors, SPI displays, or UART debug channels concurrently with USB operation. Power consumption in active USB suspend mode drops to single-digit milliamps via the integrated VBUS regulator, enabling bus-powered designs that meet USB-IF suspend current requirements for keyboards, mice, game controllers, and custom HID products.
Recommended
IoT Wireless Sensor Node
For battery-powered IoT sensor nodes, the ATSAMD21J17A-CUT combines Cortex-M0+ efficiency with deep SleepWalking modes that consume only a few microamperes while keeping peripherals alive. The integrated 12-bit ADC with up to 20 channels interfaces directly with analog sensors (temperature, light, gas), while SERCOM peripherals drive SPI or I2C sensors. The 128 KB Flash holds OTA-capable firmware and wireless protocol stacks (BLE, LoRa, sub-GHz) when paired with an external transceiver. Operating down to 1.62V allows direct connection to a single Li-ion or LiFePO4 cell, while the 16 KB SRAM is sufficient for buffering sensor data and communication frames. The hardware AES-256 and TRNG blocks enable secure sensor data transmission in connected home or industrial IoT deployments.
Recommended
Home Automation Gateway / Smart Appliance
The ATSAMD21J17A-CUT delivers the processing power, peripherals, and USB connectivity required for home automation gateways and smart appliances. Its six SERCOM channels can simultaneously drive RS-485, SPI flash storage, I2C sensors, and UART debug consoles, while the Peripheral Touch Controller supports capacitive touch buttons and sliders for user interfaces. The 48 MHz Cortex-M0+ core executes real-time control firmware for HVAC, lighting, or appliance subsystems, with 128 KB Flash accommodating Wi-Fi/BLE module drivers and 16 KB SRAM buffering communication frames. Hardware AES-256 secures local network traffic, and the wide 1.62V-3.63V supply range accepts power directly from rectified mains adapters. The UFBGA-64 footprint fits compact appliance control boards.
Recommended
Industrial Metering (Energy / Water / Gas)
For industrial metering applications, the ATSAMD21J17A-CUT provides the analog accuracy, computational throughput, and long-term reliability demanded by energy, water, and gas meters. Its 12-bit 350 ksps ADC achieves better than 0.5% accuracy for power measurement when paired with appropriate current shunts or CTs, while the integrated 10-bit DAC supports calibration signal injection. Cortex-M0+ at 48 MHz runs metering algorithms, segmented LCD drivers (via external boost converter), and tamper-detection logic with cycles to spare. The industrial -40C to +85C operating range and integrated AES-256 cryptographic block ensure secure, reliable data logging and transmission to utility backhaul systems, while SleepWalking modes extend coin-cell backup battery life during power outages.
Recommended
Wearable Health Monitor
The ATSAMD21J17A-CUT fits wearable health monitors requiring low-power operation, mixed analog sensing, and USB charging in a compact BGA package. The 64-ball UFBGA 5x5 mm footprint saves critical PCB area inside wristbands, patches, and rings, while the 1.62V minimum VDD enables direct Li-ion battery operation. The 12-bit ADC digitizes heart-rate, SpO2, and temperature sensor outputs, SERCOM peripherals drive I2C biometric sensors, and the Peripheral Touch Controller handles capacitive button or slider user inputs. Deep-sleep current in the microamp range extends battery life between charges, while integrated AES-256 encrypts sensitive health data transmitted over Bluetooth Low Energy or Wi-Fi companion modules. Hardware TRNG strengthens authentication for clinical and FDA-regulated applications.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch HMI (Buttons / Slider / Wheel)
The ATSAMD21J17A-CUT features the integrated Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC), which supports capacitive touch buttons, sliders, and wheels with hardware-driven acquisition - offloading the CPU during touch scans. This enables reliable touch interfaces even when the Cortex-M0+ core is in deep-sleep, with the PTC waking the CPU only on validated touch events. Combined with 128 KB Flash for touch algorithm libraries, 16 KB SRAM for event buffers, and six SERCOM channels for external display or backlight control, the device builds complete touch HMI panels for kitchen appliances, audio equipment, smart thermostats, and industrial control panels. The 20 ADC channels support both PTC and analog sensors in parallel.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAMD21J17A-CUT β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAMD21J17A-CU | ATSAMD21J17A-AUT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 64-UFBGA (5x5 mm) | 64-UFBGA (5x5 mm) - same | 64-TQFP - different |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core Architecture | ARM Cortex-M0+ | ARM Cortex-M0+ | ARM Cortex-M0+ |
| Maximum Frequency | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB |
| SRAM | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB |
| Operating Voltage | 1.62 V to 3.63 V | 1.62 V to 3.63 V | 1.62 V to 3.63 V |
| USB Controller | USB 2.0 Full-Speed integrated | USB 2.0 Full-Speed integrated | USB 2.0 Full-Speed integrated |
| ADC Channels | Up to 20 | Up to 20 | Up to 20 |
| Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
| Approx Price (qty 1000) | $3.05 | Similar | Similar |
Key Differentiators
- Tape and Reel packaging for high-volume production (vs ATSAMD21J17A-CU)
- Compact UFBGA-64 footprint saves PCB area (vs ATSAMD21J17A-AUT)
- On-chip USB 2.0 Full-Speed transceiver eliminates external PHY (vs STM32L0 Cortex-M0+ equivalent)
Design Notes
Estimated: The 64-ball UFBGA uses 0.5 mm ball pitch with 0.3 mm ball diameter, requiring microvia or sub-0.15 mm trace technology. Route all balls out using a dog-bone fanout pattern on inner layers, with vias placed in the center of each ball pad. Maintain a continuous ground plane on layer 2 directly below the BGA, with stitching vias at the package edges to suppress simultaneous-switching noise from the high-speed SERCOM signals.
Place a 4.7 uF X5R ceramic plus a 100 nF X7R decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of every VDD/VDDIO pin pair to meet the SAM D21 core's transient current demands during Cortex-M0+ wake events. Connect a 10 uF bulk capacitor at the voltage regulator output. Enable the internal voltage regulator's slow-ramp mode by default to limit inrush current; for USB bus-powered designs, ensure the VBUS detection resistor divider draws less than 10 mA per USB-IF suspend specification.
Do not program the GCLK output to pins that share SERCOM or TC peripheral functions without first disabling those peripherals, or you will lose GPIO or communication capability. Always configure the NVMCTRL region lock bits before production to protect bootloader and calibration data. Use the explicit DFLL closed-loop mode rather than the open-loop factory calibration for any application requiring USB accuracy over temperature, as the open-loop calibration drifts approximately 5% across the -40C to +85C range.
The ATSAMD21J17A-CUT in UFBGA-64 has a thermal resistance of approximately 35-40 C/W without a heatsink, which is typically adequate for the SAM D21's sub-100 mW active power consumption. At maximum CPU load (48 MHz, all peripherals active, 3.6V VDD) the device dissipates under 70 mW, yielding a junction temperature rise of only 2-3 C above ambient. No external heatsink or thermal management is required for typical embedded designs, even at industrial -40C to +85C ambient temperatures.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade; not AEC-Q100 qualified (for automotive, see ATSAMx automotive parts). Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in the verified web data.
