ATSAME51J18A-AU-EFP - 120MHz Cortex-M4F MCU 256KB Flash TQFP-64 | Microchip
MPN: ATSAME51J18A-AU-EFP ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.92 | $8.92 |
| 10 | $8.12 | $81.20 |
| 100 | $7.21 | $721.00 |
| 500 | $6.45 | $3,225.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.78 | $5,780.00 |
ATSAME51J18A-AU-EFP Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and a rich set of peripherals into one package. The SAM E51 line belongs to the ARM Cortex-M4 class with single-precision Floating Point Unit (FPU) plus DSP extensions, sitting in the hierarchy MCU -> embedded controller -> semiconductor. These parts target industrial and general-purpose embedded applications requiring deterministic real-time performance, low power, and connectivity.
Key features of the ATSAME51J18A-AU-EFP include the Cortex-M4F core with FPU and DSP instructions, up to 120 MHz operation, 256 KB dual-panel Flash with ECC, 128 KB SRAM, full-speed USB 2.0 with embedded host and device support, CAN-FD controller, up to six SERCOM interfaces for UART/SPI/I2C, a 12-bit 1 MSPS ADC, 16-bit analog comparators, and a 16-bit PWM/timer counter array. The device operates from 1.71 V to 3.84 V, suiting 3.3 V systems.
Architecturally, the SAM E51 uses a 4-layer AHB bus matrix connecting the CPU, Flash, SRAM, and peripherals for low-latency memory access. The Flash includes hardware ECC for class-B safety integrity. The "Extended Flash Performance" bin tightens read characteristics at lower VDD, allowing the same 120 MHz zero-wait-state core speed across a wider operating envelope. Advanced power modes include IDLE, STANDBY, BACKUP, and OFF with battery-domain retention.
Typical applications include industrial automation controllers, building-automation nodes (BACnet/Modbus gateways), IoT edge nodes with USB device/host roles, automotive body and accessory ECUs, drone flight controllers and ESCs, and human-machine interface (HMI) panels. The combination of USB, CAN-FD, and rich SERCOM connectivity also suits bridging hubs and field-bridge converters.
When designing with this MCU, place 0.1 uF plus bulk decoupling within 5 mm of each VDD pin and provide a 32.768 kHz crystal for RTC accuracy. The EFP variant tolerates wider VDD/flash-timing corners than the standard -AU, so firmware written for one typically runs on the other without modification.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the SAM E5x family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAME51J18A-AU-EFP — 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 ATSAME51J18A-AU-EFP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in USB, CAN, DAC, ADC, Core.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAME51J19A-AUT-EFP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAME51J19A-AFT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$5.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAME51J18A-AFT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.21 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAME51J20A-AU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$6.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMD51J18A-AU-EFP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAME51J18A-AU-EFP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | ARM Cortex-M4F with FPU and DSP |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 120 MHz |
| Program Flash | 256 KB (256K x 8) with ECC |
| SRAM | 128 KB |
| Operating Voltage | 1.71 V to 3.84 V |
| Package | 64-pin TQFP (10x10 mm) |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed Host/Device |
| CAN | CAN-FD controller |
| SERCOM | 6x configurable UART/SPI/I2C |
| ADC | 12-bit, up to 1 MSPS |
| DAC | 12-bit, 1 MSPS |
| Analog Comparators | Yes |
| Timers/Counters | 16-bit TCC PWM timers |
| RTC | Yes, 32.768 kHz crystal domain |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
ATSAME51J18A-AU-EFP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDDIO — I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 2 | PA00 — GPIO / SERCOM1 PAD0 |
| Pin 3 | PA01 — GPIO / SERCOM1 PAD1 |
| Pin 4 | PA02 — GPIO / SERCOM1 PAD2 / AIN0 |
| Pin 5 | PA03 — GPIO / SERCOM1 PAD3 / AIN1 / VREFA |
| Pin 6 | PA04 — GPIO / SERCOM0 PAD0 / AIN2 |
| Pin 7 | PA05 — GPIO / SERCOM0 PAD1 / AIN3 |
| Pin 8 | PA06 — GPIO / SERCOM0 PAD2 / AIN4 |
| Pin 9 | PA07 — GPIO / SERCOM0 PAD3 / AIN5 |
| Pin 10 | VDDIO — I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 11 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 12 | PA08 — GPIO / SERCOM2 PAD0 / NTC |
| Pin 13 | PA09 — GPIO / SERCOM2 PAD1 |
| Pin 14 | PA10 — GPIO / SERCOM2 PAD2 |
| Pin 15 | PA11 — GPIO / SERCOM2 PAD3 |
| Pin 16 | PA12 — GPIO / SERCOM4 PAD0 / USB_DP |
| Pin 17 | PA13 — GPIO / SERCOM4 PAD1 / USB_DM |
| Pin 18 | PA14 — GPIO / SERCOM4 PAD2 |
| Pin 19 | PA15 — GPIO / SERCOM4 PAD3 |
| Pin 20 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 21 | PA16 — GPIO / SERCOM1 PAD0 / I2S_SDI |
| Pin 22 | PA17 — GPIO / SERCOM1 PAD1 / I2S_SDO |
| Pin 23 | PA18 — GPIO / SERCOM3 PAD0 |
| Pin 24 | PA19 — GPIO / SERCOM3 PAD1 |
| Pin 25 | PA20 — GPIO / SERCOM5 PAD0 |
| Pin 26 | PA21 — GPIO / SERCOM5 PAD1 |
| Pin 27 | PA22 — GPIO / SERCOM3 PAD2 |
| Pin 28 | PA23 — GPIO / SERCOM3 PAD3 |
| Pin 29 | PA24 — GPIO / USB_ID |
| Pin 30 | PA25 — GPIO / USB_VBUS |
| Pin 31 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 32 | VDDCORE — Internal core supply (decoupling only) |
| Pin 33 | PA27 — GPIO / CAN0 TX |
| Pin 34 | PA28 — GPIO / CAN0 RX |
| Pin 35 | RESETn — Active-low reset input |
| Pin 36 | VDDIO — I/O supply voltage |
| Pin 37 | PB02 — GPIO / SERCOM5 PAD0 |
| Pin 38 | PB03 — GPIO / SERCOM5 PAD1 |
| Pin 39 | PB04 — GPIO / SERCOM3 PAD0 |
| Pin 40 | PB05 — GPIO / SERCOM3 PAD1 |
| Pin 41 | PB06 — GPIO / SERCOM0 PAD0 |
| Pin 42 | PB07 — GPIO / SERCOM0 PAD1 |
| Pin 43 | PB08 — GPIO / SERCOM4 PAD0 / LED |
| Pin 44 | PB09 — GPIO / SERCOM4 PAD1 |
| Pin 45 | PB10 — GPIO / SERCOM4 PAD2 |
| Pin 46 | PB11 — GPIO / SERCOM4 PAD3 |
| Pin 47 | PB12 — GPIO / TCC0 WO0 / XIN32 |
| Pin 48 | PB13 — GPIO / TCC0 WO1 / XOUT32 |
| Pin 49 | PB14 — GPIO / SERCOM5 PAD2 |
| Pin 50 | PB15 — GPIO / SERCOM5 PAD3 |
| Pin 51 | PB16 — GPIO / SERCOM5 PAD0 |
| Pin 52 | PB17 — GPIO / SERCOM5 PAD1 |
| Pin 53 | PB18 — GPIO / SERCOM3 PAD2 |
| Pin 54 | PB19 — GPIO / SERCOM3 PAD3 |
| Pin 55 | PB20 — GPIO / SERCOM3 PAD0 |
| Pin 56 | PB21 — GPIO / SERCOM3 PAD1 |
| Pin 57 | PB22 — GPIO / SERCOM1 PAD2 |
| Pin 58 | PB23 — GPIO / SERCOM1 PAD3 |
| Pin 59 | PB24 — GPIO / SERCOM0 PAD2 |
| Pin 60 | PB25 — GPIO / SERCOM0 PAD3 |
| Pin 61 | PB26 — GPIO / SERCOM2 PAD0 |
| Pin 62 | PB27 — GPIO / SERCOM2 PAD1 |
| Pin 63 | PB28 — GPIO / SERCOM2 PAD2 |
| Pin 64 | PB29 — GPIO / SERCOM2 PAD3 |
Typical Applications
ATSAME51J18A-AU-EFP is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation Controllers, IoT Edge Nodes with USB, Building Automation Gateways, Drone Flight Controllers and ESCs, Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Panels, Automotive Body and Accessory ECUs.
Industrial Automation Controllers
The ATSAME51J18A-AU-EFP fits industrial automation controllers where 120 MHz Cortex-M4F DSP performance, CAN-FD, and six SERCOM channels must coexist on a single MCU. Its 256 KB Flash with ECC provides class-B safe program memory, while the 128 KB SRAM holds Modbus/Profibus stack frames and PID control loops. The EFP bin's extended flash-read envelope ensures deterministic zero-wait-state execution across the 3.3 V industrial supply band, eliminating a common field reliability issue at VDD droop. The part is also widely used in PLC sub-modules and machine-vision pre-processors.
Recommended
IoT Edge Nodes with USB
The ATSAME51J18A-AU-EFP serves IoT edge nodes needing USB 2.0 full-speed device or host roles alongside low-power sleep. Its 1.71 V to 3.84 V supply range supports battery-direct topologies; BACKUP mode with RTC retention draws micro-amps for long sleep intervals between sensor reads. The Cortex-M4F FPU accelerates on-device FFT and ML inference for edge analytics. Compared with a discrete MCU + USB bridge, the integrated USB OTG removes a chip and a BOM line. Engineers use it for BLE/LoRa gateways with USB-C diagnostics, sensor hubs, and asset trackers.
Recommended
Building Automation Gateways
In building-automation gateways bridging BACnet, Modbus, and KNX, the ATSAME51J18A-AU-EFP provides the headroom to run multiple protocol stacks concurrently on its 120 MHz core. The 256 KB Flash accommodates BACnet/IP plus a TLS 1.2 client used for cloud uploads; the 128 KB SRAM holds packet buffers for simultaneous TCP and serial traffic. Six SERCOM channels map cleanly to RS-485 transceivers for Modbus RTU, while CAN-FD can carry KNX-style or proprietary fieldbus traffic. The TQFP-64 footprint gives designers easy hand-rework during prototyping.
Recommended
Drone Flight Controllers and ESCs
The ATSAME51J18A-AU-EFP suits small UAV flight controllers and electronic speed controllers (ESCs) that need deterministic PWM and fast control loops. Its Cortex-M4F single-precision FPU runs PID plus quaternion attitude math at the 120 MHz zero-wait-state rate without offloading to a coprocessor. The TCC 16-bit PWM timers deliver center-aligned, complementary outputs with hardware dead-time insertion, which is essential for brushless DC motor commutation. The 12-bit 1 MSPS ADC samples current and voltage sense channels fast enough for FOC. EFP bin ensures the 120 MHz rate holds across the LiPo-discharge VDD curve.
Recommended
Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Panels
In compact HMI panels driving TFT LCDs and touch overlays, the ATSAME51J18A-AU-EFP delivers the 120 MHz Cortex-M4F throughput required by LVGL or emWin graphical stacks. Its 128 KB SRAM holds frame buffers for QVGA/WQVGA displays, while 256 KB Flash stores fonts, icons, and UI flows. The SERCOM channels map to SPI display, I2C touch, and UART to a host PLC. CAN-FD provides reliable panel-to-panel and panel-to-controller communication in factory environments. For larger displays, drop-in upgrade to ATSAME51J20A-AU (1 MB Flash / 256 KB SRAM) on the same footprint.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Accessory ECUs
The ATSAME51J18A-AU-EFP is used in automotive body controllers, accessory ECUs, and CAN-based lighting modules. While the J18A-AU grade is not AEC-Q100 qualified, designers use it in non-safety body domains such as HVAC, mirror control, and ambient lighting nodes. CAN-FD enables modern body networks, and the EFP bin keeps operation reliable across the 12 V battery-cold-crank droop. The 64-TQFP footprint eases convection rework, and the Cortex-M4F accelerates CANopen and J1939 stacks. For safety-critical ECUs, select an AEC-Q100 qualified Microchip SAM variant.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAME51J18A-AU-EFP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAME51J19A-AUT-EFP | ATSAME51J19A-AFT | ATSAME51J18A-AFT | ATSAME51J20A-AU | ATSAMD51J18A-AU-EFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | TQFP-64 (10x10) | TQFP-64 (10x10) - same | TQFP-64 (10x10) - same | TQFP-64 (10x10) - same | TQFP-64 (10x10) - same | TQFP-64 (10x10) - same |
| Core | Cortex-M4F 120 MHz | Cortex-M4F 120 MHz | Cortex-M4F 120 MHz | Cortex-M4F 120 MHz | Cortex-M4F 120 MHz | Cortex-M4F 120 MHz |
| Flash | 256 KB | 512 KB | 512 KB | 256 KB | 1 MB | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 128 KB | 192 KB | 192 KB | 128 KB | 256 KB | 128 KB |
| USB | FS Host/Device | FS Host/Device | FS Host/Device | FS Host/Device | FS Host/Device | FS Host/Device |
| EFP Bin | Yes | Yes | No (standard FT) | No (standard FT) | No (standard AU) | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Extended Flash Performance bin keeps 120 MHz at lower VDD (vs ATSAME51J18A-AU)
- Drop-in upgrade path to 512 KB Flash on same footprint (vs ATSAME51J19A-AUT-EFP)
- 1 MB Flash ceiling on the same package (vs ATSAME51J20A-AU)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF ceramic plus 4.7 uF bulk decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDDIO pin and a 1 uF plus 0.1 uF pair on VDDCORE. The ATSAME51J18A-AU-EFP draws peaks up to 35 mA in active 120 MHz mode; undersized decoupling can cause VDD droop and Flash read errors even with the EFP bin's wider envelope.
Route the 32.768 kHz crystal traces symmetrically and shield with a ground guard ring to avoid capacitive loading. Keep crystal traces under 5 mm and place the load capacitors within 2 mm of the XIN32/XOUT32 pins. The EFP bin extends the VDD/flash-timing corner but does not relax RTC accuracy requirements.
Do not assume SAM D5x and SAM E5x are pin-compatible across all functions; SERCOM count and pin-mux mapping differ, so verify each pin assignment against the SAM E5x pin-multiplexing table before swapping ATSAMD51 for ATSAME51 firmware. The 64-TQFP footprint is the same, but firmware migration requires peripheral re-mapping.
USB DP/DM traces must be 90 ohm differential with no stubs; place the 22 ohm series source-impedance resistors within 4 mm of the MCU pins. For CAN-FD, route TX/RX as a 120 ohm differential pair and place the bus termination at the cable ends, not at the MCU, to avoid reflection at high bus loads.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade; not AEC-Q100 qualified - select an automotive-grade SAM variant for vehicle ECUs.
