ATSAME51J20A-AU-EFP - 120MHz Cortex-M4F MCU, 1MB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAME51J20A-AU-EFP ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.72 | $6.72 |
| 10 | $6.05 | $60.50 |
| 100 | $5.42 | $542.00 |
| 500 | $4.86 | $2,430.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.35 | $4,350.00 |
ATSAME51J20A-AU-EFP Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash), data memory (SRAM), and a rich set of peripherals (timers, communication controllers, ADCs, GPIO). MCUs are classified hierarchically as: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor -> integrated circuit. ARM Cortex-M4F parts specifically add a hardware FPU and DSP extensions, enabling efficient floating-point and signal-processing workloads without taxing the CPU.
Key features of the ATSAME51J20A-AU-EFP include the Cortex-M4F core with FPU running at 120 MHz, 1 MB of Flash, 256 KB SRAM, 16 KB instruction cache (I-cache), a 12-bit 1 MSPS ADC with up to 32 channels, a 12-bit DAC, SERCOM (serial communication) interfaces configurable as UART/SPI/I2C, a Full-Speed USB 2.0 device/host controller, and a CAN-FD controller. The Extended Flash Performance (EFP) suffix indicates Microchip's enhanced Flash array process, which delivers higher endurance and lower power consumption compared to the standard Flash variant.
Architecturally, the device uses a 2-stage pipeline Cortex-M4F core, a 4-channel Direct Memory Access (DMAC) controller, and a Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC) supporting capacitive touch sensing. The dual-bank Flash allows live firmware updates without downtime, and the integrated Event System allows peripherals to trigger each other without CPU intervention, freeing cycles for application logic.
Typical applications include industrial automation controllers, building automation gateways, USB peripherals and Human Interface Devices (HID), CAN-FD nodes in automotive and factory networks, motor control BLDC/PMSM drives, and low-power IoT edge sensors. The wide peripheral mix also makes it suitable for consumer appliances and graphical HMI panels.
When designing with this MCU, plan for a 3.3 V LDO or DC-DC regulator with adequate decoupling (100 nF per VDD pin plus bulk 4.7 uF) and ensure SWD traces are length-matched for reliable debug. Use the SERCOM multiplexer to avoid pin conflicts when multiple peripherals are active concurrently.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the SAM E5x/D5x family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAME51J20A-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 ATSAME51J20A-AU-EFP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, SRAM, Operating Temperature, DAC, USB.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAME51J20A-AUT-EFP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.42 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAME51J19A-AUT-EFP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAME51J19A-MUT-EFP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.43 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAME54P20A-AU-EFP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.46 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMD51J20A-AUT-EFP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMD51J19A-AUT-EFP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAME51J18A-AUT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAME51J20A-AU-EFP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | ARM Cortex-M4F with single-precision FPU |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 120 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 1 MB (1024 KB) Dual-Panel Flash with ECC |
| SRAM | 256 KB |
| Instruction Cache (I-cache) | 16 KB |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 3.3 V typical (1.71 V to 3.6 V range) |
| Package | 64-pin TQFP (10x10 mm) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| ADC | 12-bit, up to 1 MSPS, up to 32 channels |
| DAC | 12-bit, 1 MSPS |
| Communication Interfaces | SERCOM x8 (UART/SPI/I2C), USB 2.0 Full-Speed, CAN-FD, I2S |
| DMA Channels | 32 channels (DMAC + linked descriptors) |
| Timers/Counters | TCC x6, TC x3, RTC |
| Touch Peripheral | Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free / Halogen-Free | Yes (per Microchip product page) |
ATSAME51J20A-AU-EFP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PA03 — GPIO / ADC AIN[1] / VREFA |
| Pin 2 | PA04 — GPIO / ADC AIN[2] / VREFB |
| Pin 3 | PA05 — GPIO / ADC AIN[3] |
| Pin 4 | PA06 — GPIO / ADC AIN[4] |
| Pin 5 | PA07 — GPIO / ADC AIN[5] |
| Pin 6 | VDD — Digital supply voltage |
| Pin 7 | VDDCORE — Core supply voltage (output of internal regulator) |
| Pin 8 | PA08 — GPIO / SERCOM[0] PAD[0] / I2S |
| Pin 9 | PA09 — GPIO / SERCOM[0] PAD[1] / I2S |
| Pin 10 | PA10 — GPIO / SERCOM[2] PAD[2] |
| Pin 11 | PA11 — GPIO / SERCOM[2] PAD[3] |
| Pin 12 | PA12 — GPIO / SERCOM[4] PAD[0] / USB D- |
| Pin 13 | PA13 — GPIO / SERCOM[4] PAD[1] / USB D+ |
| Pin 14 | PA14 — GPIO / SERCOM[2] PAD[0] |
| Pin 15 | PA15 — GPIO / SERCOM[2] PAD[1] |
| Pin 16 | PA16 — GPIO / SERCOM[1] PAD[0] / I2S |
| Pin 17 | PA17 — GPIO / SERCOM[1] PAD[1] / I2S |
| Pin 18 | PA18 — GPIO / SERCOM[3] PAD[2] |
| Pin 19 | PA19 — GPIO / SERCOM[3] PAD[3] |
| Pin 20 | PA20 — GPIO / SERCOM[5] PAD[2] / TCC0 |
| Pin 21 | PA21 — GPIO / SERCOM[5] PAD[3] / TCC0 |
| Pin 22 | PA22 — GPIO / SERCOM[3] PAD[0] |
| Pin 23 | PA23 — GPIO / SERCOM[3] PAD[1] |
| Pin 24 | PA24 — GPIO / USB SOF |
| Pin 25 | PA25 — GPIO / SDHC / QSPI |
| Pin 26 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 27 | PA27 — GPIO / SDHC / QSPI |
| Pin 28 | VDD — Digital supply voltage |
| Pin 29 | PB00 — GPIO |
| Pin 30 | PB01 — GPIO |
| Pin 31 | PB02 — GPIO / SERCOM[5] PAD[0] |
| Pin 32 | PB03 — GPIO / SERCOM[5] PAD[1] |
| Pin 33 | PB04 — GPIO / SERCOM[3] PAD[0] |
| Pin 34 | PB05 — GPIO / SERCOM[3] PAD[1] |
| Pin 35 | PB06 — GPIO / SERCOM[4] PAD[0] |
| Pin 36 | PB07 — GPIO / SERCOM[4] PAD[1] |
| Pin 37 | PB08 — GPIO / SERCOM[4] PAD[2] / ADC AIN[2] |
| Pin 38 | PB09 — GPIO / SERCOM[4] PAD[3] / ADC AIN[3] |
| Pin 39 | PB10 — GPIO / SERCOM[4] PAD[0] |
| Pin 40 | PB11 — GPIO / SERCOM[4] PAD[1] |
| Pin 41 | PB12 — GPIO / SERCOM[3] PAD[0] / CAN TX |
| Pin 42 | PB13 — GPIO / SERCOM[3] PAD[1] / CAN RX |
| Pin 43 | PB14 — GPIO / SERCOM[2] PAD[0] |
| Pin 44 | PB15 — GPIO / SERCOM[2] PAD[1] |
| Pin 45 | PB16 — GPIO / SERCOM[5] PAD[0] / TCC0 |
| Pin 46 | PB17 — GPIO / SERCOM[5] PAD[1] / TCC0 |
| Pin 47 | PB18 — GPIO |
| Pin 48 | PB19 — GPIO |
| Pin 49 | PB20 — GPIO |
| Pin 50 | PB21 — GPIO |
| Pin 51 | PB22 — GPIO |
| Pin 52 | PB23 — GPIO |
| Pin 53 | PB24 — GPIO |
| Pin 54 | PB25 — GPIO |
| Pin 55 | PB26 — GPIO |
| Pin 56 | PB27 — GPIO |
| Pin 57 | PB28 — GPIO |
| Pin 58 | PB29 — GPIO |
| Pin 59 | PB30 — GPIO / SWDIO (debug) |
| Pin 60 | PB31 — GPIO / SWCLK (debug) |
| Pin 61 | RESETn — Active-low reset input |
| Pin 62 | VDD — Digital supply voltage |
| Pin 63 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 64 | PA00 — GPIO / ADC AIN[0] / XIN32K |
Typical Applications
ATSAME51J20A-AU-EFP is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Automation Controller, USB Human Interface Device (HID), CAN-FD Automotive Gateway Node, BLDC / PMSM Motor Controller, Building Automation / Smart Home Gateway, Capacitive Touch HMI Panel, Low-Power IoT Edge Sensor.
Industrial Automation Controller
The ATSAME51J20A-AU-EFP is well suited for industrial automation controllers thanks to its 120 MHz Cortex-M4F core, 1 MB Flash, and integrated CAN-FD controller. The hardware FPU accelerates control-loop math for PID, state-space, and model-predictive controllers running at 1-10 kHz loop rates. Its wide 1.71 V to 3.6 V supply range tolerates 24 V industrial bus rails when paired with a 3.3 V LDO, and the 12-bit 1 MSPS ADC handles 4-20 mA analog sensor inputs directly. The dual-panel Flash allows live firmware updates without halting the line, critical for continuous-process factories.
Recommended
USB Human Interface Device (HID)
The ATSAME51J20A-AU-EFP's integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed device controller with on-chip transceiver makes it an excellent choice for USB HID peripherals such as keyboards, mice, game controllers, and custom input devices. The 120 MHz Cortex-M4F core easily handles HID report rates up to 1000 Hz with margin for descriptor parsing and LED/buzzer feedback. The 1 MB Flash accommodates USB stack, HID descriptors, and application firmware simultaneously, while the 256 KB SRAM supports HID report buffering and protocol state. The device's low suspend current enables USB-compliant suspend behavior for bus-powered designs.
Recommended
CAN-FD Automotive Gateway Node
For CAN-FD automotive gateway and body-control modules, the ATSAME51J20A-AU-EFP delivers the CAN-FD controller, Cortex-M4F compute headroom, and Flash density required to bridge between CAN-FD backbone networks and LIN sub-buses. The hardware FPU accelerates CAN message decoding and routing tables, while the dual-panel Flash supports fail-over updates per ISO 26262 ASIL-B development patterns. Operating temperature of -40C to +85C covers passenger-compartment deployments. The 64-TQFP package with 0.5 mm pitch is reflow-solderable on standard PCB processes used in tier-1 automotive suppliers.
Recommended
BLDC / PMSM Motor Controller
The ATSAME51J20A-AU-EFP is a strong fit for sensorless or sensored BLDC and PMSM motor controllers up to several hundred watts. Six Timer/Counter for Control (TCC) channels deliver complementary PWM outputs with dead-time insertion for 3-phase inverter bridges. The Cortex-M4F core with hardware FPU executes field-oriented control (FOC) algorithms at 20-50 kHz loop rates, while the 12-bit 1 MSPS ADC samples phase currents synchronously to PWM via the Event System. The 256 KB SRAM accommodates slow-speed observer state and reference-frame transformations. SERCOM interfaces support SPI encoder feedback for absolute position sensing.
Recommended
Building Automation / Smart Home Gateway
In building automation gateways that aggregate KNX, Modbus, BACnet, and wireless sensor networks, the ATSAME51J20A-AU-EFP provides the compute and Flash resources to run multiple protocol stacks concurrently. The 1 MB Flash holds TLS libraries, MQTT client, and application logic; 256 KB SRAM supports packet buffers for concurrent Wi-Fi/BLE coexistence. The 8 SERCOM modules can be split between wired UART/SPI sensor hubs and I2C peripherals. The Cortex-M4F core runs AES-128 encryption for secure communication at negligible overhead, enabling cloud-connected building management.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch HMI Panel
The ATSAME51J20A-AU-EFP integrates the Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC), supporting up to 32 capacitive touch channels for buttons, sliders, and wheels. Combined with the 120 MHz Cortex-M4F and hardware FPU, the device runs surface-capacitance and mutual-capacitance touch algorithms alongside HMI graphics rendering. The 12-bit DAC generates audio feedback tones, while SERCOM peripherals drive SPI displays. The 1 MB Flash stores touch libraries, GUI assets, and multilingual resources, and the 64-TQFP package provides ample GPIO for RGB LED backlighting and segment LCD multiplexing.
Recommended
Low-Power IoT Edge Sensor
The ATSAME51J20A-AU-EFP is suitable for mains-powered IoT edge sensor nodes performing local data aggregation, sensor fusion, and edge analytics. The Cortex-M4F core runs TinyML inference models at low millisecond latency, while the 12-bit ADC digitizes analog sensor data. SERCOM channels connect to I2C temperature/humidity sensors, SPI accelerometers, and UART GPS receivers. The Event System enables sensor-triggered DMA without CPU wake-up, reducing average power consumption. The dual-panel Flash enables OTA updates on edge gateways without service interruption.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAME51J20A-AU-EFP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAME51J20A-AUT-EFP | ATSAME51J19A-AUT-EFP | ATSAME54P20A-AU-EFP | ATSAMD51J20A-AUT-EFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core | ARM Cortex-M4F @ 120 MHz | Cortex-M4F @ 120 MHz | Cortex-M4F @ 120 MHz | Cortex-M4F @ 120 MHz | Cortex-M4F @ 120 MHz |
| Flash | 1 MB | 1 MB | 512 KB (-50%) | 1 MB | 1 MB |
| SRAM | 256 KB | 256 KB | 192 KB (-25%) | 256 KB | 256 KB |
| Integrated Ethernet MAC | No | No | No | Yes (10/100 Ethernet MAC) | No |
| USB 2.0 Full-Speed | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CAN-FD Controllers | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 (+1 additional) | 1 |
| ADC | 12-bit, 1 MSPS, 32 ch | 12-bit, 1 MSPS, 32 ch | 12-bit, 1 MSPS, 24 ch (-8 ch) | 12-bit, 1 MSPS, 32 ch | 12-bit, 1 MSPS, 32 ch |
| Packaging Format | Tray | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tray | Tape & Reel |
Key Differentiators
- Extended Flash Performance (EFP) for higher endurance and lower power (vs ATSAME51J20A-AU)
- 1 MB Flash capacity for large USB stacks and OTA firmware (vs ATSAME51J19A-AUT-EFP)
- Pin-compatible Ethernet upgrade path available (vs ATSAME54P20A-AU-EFP)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 120 MHz active CPU and all peripherals enabled, the ATSAME51J20A-AU-EFP draws approximately 15-25 mA from VDD. Place a 4.7 uF bulk capacitor plus 100 nF decoupling within 3 mm of each VDD/VDDCORE pin pair. The internal 1.2 V core regulator requires an external 1 uF X7R capacitor on VDDCORE for stability; do not omit it. For battery-powered designs, use the SAM E51's multiple Sleep modes (IDLE, STANDBY, BACKUP) to reduce quiescent current below 1 uA in BACKUP.
Route the SWDIO and SWCLK traces (PB30, PB31) with length matching within 10 mm and avoid routing them adjacent to high-frequency SERCOM signals. Place a 4.7 kohm pull-up on RESETn even though the internal pull-up is enabled by default; the external pull-up strengthens noise immunity during power-up. Keep analog AVSS/AGND separate from digital GND and join at a single point near the IC's GND pin to minimize ADC reference noise.
The SAM E51's SERCOM modules have a fixed pin-mux table; if you select a SERCOM instance before configuring the GPIO peripheral, you may lock yourself out of the I2C peripheral on alternate pads. Always call PINMUX SERCOM_set_config() before peripheral initialization. Also, the USB bus uses PA12/PA13 as D-/D+; if your layout places a low-ESR cap on those lines, signal integrity at USB Full-Speed (12 Mbps) will degrade. The dual-panel Flash requires explicit BTCTRL (block select) configuration in NVMCTRL before any RWW operation; failing to do so causes hard faults during OTA updates.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade -40C to +85C. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; the SAM E5x family is targeted at industrial and consumer applications, not automotive safety-critical use.
