ATSAME51N20A-AU - 120MHz Cortex-M4F MCU, 1MB Flash | Microchip
MPN: ATSAME51N20A-AU ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $12.84 | $12.84 |
| 10 | $11.42 | $114.20 |
| 100 | $9.96 | $996.00 |
| 250 | $9.31 | $2,327.50 |
| 500 | $8.97 | $4,485.00 |
ATSAME51N20A-AU Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program and data memory, and a rich set of peripheral interfaces such as timers, ADCs, communication controllers, and GPIOs. Within the broader system hierarchy, an MCU sits below the microprocessor in compute capability but above bare-metal logic in software flexibility, and the ARM Cortex-M4F class specifically targets deterministic real-time control with hardware DSP and FP32 support. The SAM E51 family belongs to Microchip's 32-bit SAM family, which itself belongs to the Microcontrollers category within Integrated Circuits.
Key features of the ATSAME51N20A-AU include: 120 MHz Cortex-M4F core with FPU and DSP extensions; 1 MB Dual-Panel Flash supporting live firmware updates while executing from the other bank; 256 KB SRAM with advanced bus matrix; up to 6 SERCOM interfaces configurable as UART, SPI, or I2C; one CAN-FD controller; one USB 2.0 Full-Speed device/host port; one Ethernet MAC (GMII/RMII/MII); and an integrated PTC peripheral for touch sensing. The on-chip Cryptographic Accelerator offloads AES-128/192/256, SHA-256/HMAC, and true random number generation from the CPU, freeing cycles for application code.
Architecturally, the device uses a multi-layer AHB/APB bus matrix with dedicated bridges, enabling concurrent DMA-driven peripheral access without CPU intervention. The 12-bit ADC achieves 1 MSPS throughput in single-ended mode, suitable for high-speed sensor sampling in industrial control loops. Power management includes multiple clock domains, run, idle, standby, and backup sleep modes, with RTC retention consuming only a few microamperes.
Typical applications include industrial automation controllers, building automation gateways, smart metering, graphical HMIs with TFT displays, IoT edge nodes with secure connectivity, motor and inverter control, automotive body and chassis subsystems, and medical instrumentation. The wide peripheral mix and security accelerator make it equally suitable for connected sensors requiring TLS acceleration.
When designing with the ATSAME51N20A-AU, ensure the 100-pin TQFP PCB layout provides adequate power decoupling near each VDD pin pair (10 nF + 1 µF per domain), maintain a continuous ground pour under the device, and follow the SAM E51 hardware checklist for HSE crystal layout to preserve USB accuracy. The internal dual-panel flash architecture requires bootloader coordination to enable safe firmware bank swaps.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing as of 2026-10-07, drop-in alternatives from the SAM E5x family and the cross-referenced ATSAMD51N20A-AU, and practical design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAME51N20A-AU — 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 ATSAME51N20A-AU (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, DAC, Package, Operating Temperature, SRAM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAME51N19A-AU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.98 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMD51N20A-AU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.49 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAME53N20A-AU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.3 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAME51N20A-AU-EFP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAME51N20A-AUT-EFP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →STM32F407VGT6
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAME51N20A-AU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | ARM Cortex-M4F with FPU and DSP |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 1 MB (1M x 8) Dual-Panel with ECC |
| SRAM | 256 KB |
| Operating Voltage | 2.7 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C |
| Package | 100-TQFP (14x14 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| ADC | 12-bit, up to 1 MSPS, up to 32 channels |
| Communication Interfaces | 6x SERCOM (UART/SPI/I2C), 1x CAN-FD, 1x USB 2.0 FS, 1x Ethernet MAC |
| Cryptographic Accelerator | AES-128/192/256, SHA-256/HMAC, TRNG |
| Timers | 16-bit TC, 32-bit TCC, RTC |
| DMA Channels | 32 (12 dedicated + 20 configurable) |
| MSL Level | 3 (per JEDEC J-STD-020) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
ATSAME51N20A-AU 100-tqfp (14x14 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAME51N20A-AU (100-tqfp (14x14 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 ATSAME51N20A-AU.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAME51N20A-AU is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation Controller, Building Automation Gateway, Smart Metering / Energy Monitoring, Graphical HMI / TFT Display Controller, Secure IoT Edge Node, Motor and Inverter Control.
Industrial Automation Controller
The ATSAME51N20A-AU fits industrial automation controllers thanks to its 120 MHz Cortex-M4F with FPU/DSP for deterministic PID loops, CAN-FD for fieldbus backbones, and 1 MB Dual-Panel Flash that enables live firmware bank swaps without halting the line. The 12-bit 1 MSPS ADC with up to 32 channels ingests multi-axis sensor data while the on-chip cryptographic accelerator secures OPC-UA or MQTT-TLS links to the SCADA layer. Estimated: at 120 MHz the core executes a 3-axis field-oriented motor-control loop in under 5 µs per iteration.
Recommended
Building Automation Gateway
In building automation gateways the ATSAME51N20A-AU aggregates BACnet, KNX, and Modbus traffic via its 6 configurable SERCOM channels plus Ethernet MAC and USB 2.0 FS. Hardware AES-256 and TRNG accelerate TLS 1.3 handshakes for cloud uplinks while 256 KB SRAM buffers telemetry bursts. The -40 to +85 C industrial temperature range supports rooftop and basement enclosures. Estimated: with full TLS 1.3 the crypto accelerator offloads roughly 60-70% of CPU cycles versus firmware-only stacks.
Recommended
Smart Metering / Energy Monitoring
The ATSAME51N20A-AU suits smart electricity meters thanks to its high-resolution 12-bit ADC with up to 32 channels for voltage/current sensing, 1 MB Dual-Panel Flash for metering firmware updates between billing cycles, and RTC with backup domain for time-of-use tariffs. CAN-FD or Ethernet backhauls metrology data to concentrators while the cryptographic accelerator secures DLMS/COSEM or ANSI C12.19 sessions. Estimated: with 4 ksps simultaneous sampling across three phases, headroom remains for power-quality harmonic analysis.
Recommended
Graphical HMI / TFT Display Controller
For graphical HMIs, the ATSAME51N20A-AU drives TFT panels through its parallel display interface while the Cortex-M4F DSP accelerates anti-aliased fonts and LVGL rendering at full frame rates. 256 KB SRAM supports double-buffered frame layers; the Ethernet MAC streams remote-screen updates. The 100-TQFP exposes enough GPIO for resistive or capacitive touch via the integrated PTC peripheral. Estimated: a 480x272 RGB565 screen refreshes above 60 fps with simple widget composition.
Recommended
Secure IoT Edge Node
In secure IoT edge nodes the ATSAME51N20A-AU pairs Cortex-M4F compute with on-chip AES/SHA/TRNG, eliminating external secure-element latency for many TLS sessions. The 1 MB flash hosts MQTT-SN, CoAP, or Matter stacks plus application logic; USB 2.0 FS enables field commissioning. -40 to +85 C operation supports outdoor enclosures and industrial cabinets. Estimated: TLS 1.3 ECDHE-ECDSA handshake time is reduced by roughly 40-50% versus firmware AES.
Recommended
Motor and Inverter Control
For motor and inverter control, the ATSAME51N20A-AU executes field-oriented control on its 120 MHz Cortex-M4F, with hardware sine/cosine via CORDIC and 1 MSPS ADC sampling for back-EMF sensing. The TCC timers generate complementary PWM with dead-band insertion and hardware fault shutdown, while CAN-FD reports telemetry to the vehicle or system controller. Estimated: a 3-shunt FOC loop at 20 kHz PWM leaves substantial CPU headroom for speed PI and trajectory profiling.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAME51N20A-AU — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAME51N19A-AU | ATSAMD51N20A-AU | ATSAME53N20A-AU | ATSAME51N20A-AU-EFP | STM32F407VGT6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-TQFP (14x14 mm) | 100-TQFP (14x14 mm) | 100-TQFP (14x14 mm) | 100-TQFP (14x14 mm) | 100-TQFP (14x14 mm) | 100-LQFP (14x14 mm) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | STMicroelectronics |
| Core / Max Clock | Cortex-M4F / 120 MHz | Cortex-M4F / 120 MHz | Cortex-M4F / 120 MHz | Cortex-M4F / 120 MHz | Cortex-M4F / 120 MHz | Cortex-M4F / 168 MHz |
| Flash | 1 MB | 1 MB | 1 MB | 1 MB | 1 MB | 1 MB |
| SRAM | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 192 KB |
| Crypto Accelerator | AES/SHA/TRNG | AES/SHA/TRNG | None | AES/SHA/TRNG | AES/SHA/TRNG | AES/TDES (STM32 crypto) |
| CAN-FD | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 (EFP extended) | 2 | 2 |
| Ethernet MAC | Yes (GMII/RMII/MII) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated cryptographic accelerator with TRNG (vs ATSAMD51N20A-AU)
- 1 MB Dual-Panel Flash for live firmware update (vs STM32F407VGT6)
- Up to 32-channel 1 MSPS 12-bit ADC (vs STM32F407VGT6)
Design Notes
Place a 10 µF bulk + 100 nF + 10 nF decoupling network within 2 mm of every VDD/VDDIO pin pair on the 100-TQFP, with vias stitching the ground pour to a continuous inner plane. The SAM E5x's internal dual-bank flash bank-switch events draw short current spikes; insufficient decoupling will cause spurious VDD drops and reset events. Estimated: at 120 MHz active current is ~30 mA per VDD domain with peaks during flash writes.
Route the HSE crystal traces symmetrically within 8 mm of the XIN/XOUT pins, guard them with a ground ring, and keep all high-speed digital traces (SERCOM SPI, Ethernet RMII) more than 5 mm away. The 25 MHz main oscillator is shared with the USB FS PLL, so a noisy layout will degrade USB eye compliance. Place the optional 32.768 kHz LSE crystal close to pins XIN32/XOUT32 with the same guarding rules for RTC accuracy.
Do not omit the NRESET pull-up or the WDT disable sequence during programming; the SAM E5x ships with the WDT enabled after a bad reset and will lock the CPU if firmware does not refresh it. For Dual-Panel Flash live updates, always mark one bank as 'active' and the other as 'staging' in the FCRPE/FCWPE registers, and validate the new image's CRC32 before committing the swap - otherwise a power loss between banks can brick the application.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip material declaration; lead-free matte-tin finish; halogen-free per industry standards. Industrial temperature grade -40 C to +85 C. AEC-Q100 not applicable for this industrial-grade part.
