ATSAML11E15A-AUT - 32KB Flash Cortex-M23 TrustZone MCU | Microchip
MPN: ATSAML11E15A-AUT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.42 | $3.42 |
| 10 | $3.08 | $30.80 |
| 100 | $2.74 | $274.00 |
| 500 | $2.41 | $1,205.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.07 | $2,070.00 |
ATSAML11E15A-AUT Overview
An ARM Cortex-M23 microcontroller is a 32-bit embedded processor core based on the ARMv8-M architecture, designed for low-power applications that require hardware-isolated security. TrustZone for ARMv8-M extends this concept by partitioning code and memory into Secure and Non-Secure worlds at the bus level, enabling chip-level isolation between trusted firmware (bootloader, crypto keys) and application code. The Cortex-M23 sits within the hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> SoC -> semiconductor. The SAM L11 family is Microchip's lowest-power Cortex-M23 line with integrated security primitives.
Key features of the ATSAML11E15A-AUT include TrustZone-M hardware isolation, secure key storage, chip-level tamper resistance, a 12-bit ADC, multiple SERCOM interfaces for I2C/SPI/UART, and an AES crypto accelerator. The device supports sleep modes down to <100 nA, integrated real-time clock, and a wide operating temperature range suitable for industrial environments.
The SAM L11 architecture pairs the Cortex-M23 core with a single-cycle hardware multiplier, Microchip's event system for low-latency peripheral signaling, and a peripheral touch controller. Built on an ultra-low-power process, the device integrates an enhanced Power Management Unit (PMU) with multiple sleep modes and DC-DC buck converter support for maximum efficiency at low load currents.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, secure authentication tokens, smart meters, wearable health monitors, and industrial HMI panels. The combination of TrustZone, secure boot, and crypto acceleration makes it particularly well-suited for edge devices that require authenticated firmware updates and tamper-resistant key storage.
When designing with this MCU, ensure the Secure/Non-Secure memory partition is mapped at link time using the Microchip Studio or MPLAB X IDE TrustZone linker scripts. Decoupling capacitors (100 nF + 1 uF) must be placed close to VDD pins, and unused GPIOs should be configured as outputs or inputs with internal pull to minimize leakage.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet. The SAM L11 datasheet is referenced throughout, with parametric data traced to real distributor listings.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAML11E15A-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 ATSAML11E15A-AUT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Core Architecture, Package, ADC, Sleep Current.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAML11E15A-AUKPH
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAML11E15A-AFT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAML11E14A-AUT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.34 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAML11D15A-MU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAML10E15A-AU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAML10E15A-AF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAML11E15A-AUT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | ARM Cortex-M23 |
| Bit Width | 32-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 32 KB (32K x 8) Flash |
| RAM Size | 8 KB SRAM |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.62 V to 3.63 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 32-TQFP (7x7 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Security Feature | ARM TrustZone-M, secure key storage, tamper resistance |
| Active Current | <25 uA/MHz |
| Sleep Current | <100 nA |
| ADC | 12-bit |
| Communication Interfaces | SERCOM (I2C/SPI/UART) |
| Crypto Accelerator | AES |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
ATSAML11E15A-AUT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Power supply input |
| Pin 2 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 3 | PA00 — GPIO / XIN |
| Pin 4 | PA01 — GPIO / XOUT |
| Pin 5 | PA02 — GPIO / ADC[0] |
| Pin 6 | PA03 — GPIO / ADC[1] |
| Pin 7 | PA04 — GPIO / VREF |
| Pin 8 | PA05 — GPIO |
| Pin 9 | PA06 — GPIO |
| Pin 10 | PA07 — GPIO |
| Pin 11 | PA08 — GPIO / SERCOM |
| Pin 12 | PA09 — GPIO / SERCOM |
| Pin 13 | PA10 — GPIO / SERCOM |
| Pin 14 | PA11 — GPIO / SERCOM |
| Pin 15 | PA14 — GPIO / SWDIO |
| Pin 16 | PA15 — GPIO |
| Pin 17 | PA16 — GPIO |
| Pin 18 | PA17 — GPIO |
| Pin 19 | PA18 — GPIO |
| Pin 20 | PA19 — GPIO |
| Pin 21 | PA22 — GPIO / SERCOM |
| Pin 22 | PA23 — GPIO / SERCOM |
| Pin 23 | PA24 — GPIO |
| Pin 24 | PA25 — GPIO |
| Pin 25 | PA27 — GPIO / SWCLK |
| Pin 26 | PA28 — GPIO / Reset |
| Pin 27 | PB02 — GPIO |
| Pin 28 | PB03 — GPIO |
| Pin 29 | PB08 — GPIO |
| Pin 30 | PB09 — GPIO |
| Pin 31 | PB10 — GPIO |
| Pin 32 | PB11 — GPIO |
Typical Applications
ATSAML11E15A-AUT is suitable for 6 applications: IoT Sensor Nodes, Secure Authentication Tokens, Smart Metering, Wearable Health Monitors, Industrial HMI Panels, Edge AI Sensor Processing.
IoT Sensor Nodes
The ATSAML11E15A-AUT fits IoT sensor nodes perfectly with its <25 uA/MHz active current and <100 nA sleep current, enabling multi-year battery life on a single coin cell. The 32 KB Flash supports over-the-air (OTA) firmware with TrustZone-protected bootloader for secure field updates. The Cortex-M23 core at 32 MHz easily handles periodic sensor sampling, BLE/Wi-Fi co-processor handshakes via SERCOM, and edge preprocessing before transmit. Integrated 12-bit ADC interfaces directly with analog sensors, eliminating external converters. The wide 1.62V-3.63V supply range supports direct Li-ion or 3.3V regulated rails.
Recommended
Secure Authentication Tokens
The ATSAML11E15A-AUT is ideal for hardware authentication tokens due to its ARM TrustZone-M hardware isolation and secure key storage. The Cortex-M23's TrustZone partitions crypto operations into the Secure world, isolating keys from application code at the bus level. The integrated AES crypto accelerator handles authentication challenges without external secure elements. The <100 nA sleep current enables tokens to remain dormant for years while maintaining secure state. Tamper detection pins and chip-level tamper resistance prevent physical attacks on stored credentials in payment or access-control applications.
Recommended
Smart Metering
The ATSAML11E15A-AUT suits smart electricity, water, and gas meters where secure, authenticated data transmission is critical. Its 32 KB Flash stores metering firmware and tamper logs, while 8 KB SRAM handles concurrent protocol stack and metering math. The wide -40C to +85C industrial temperature range covers outdoor and basement installations. TrustZone-M protects calibration constants and crypto keys from field tampering attempts. The Cortex-M23 at 32 MHz computes metrology algorithms (RMS, harmonics) while SERCOM ports drive wired M-Bus or wireless M-Bus radio modules with low-power sleep modes between transmissions.
Recommended
Wearable Health Monitors
The ATSAML11E15A-AUT powers wearable health monitors with its sub-100 nA sleep current extending battery life to weeks. The Cortex-M23 core processes heart rate, SpO3, and motion sensor data at 32 MHz while consuming <25 uA/MHz. The small 32-TQFP (7x7 mm) package fits wrist-worn form factors. TrustZone-M protects health data and BLE pairing credentials in compliance with medical data regulations. The 12-bit ADC reads biosensor analog outputs directly, and SERCOM interfaces drive I2C health sensors and SPI BLE radio modules with minimal external components.
Recommended
Industrial HMI Panels
The ATSAML11E15A-AUT drives industrial HMI panels requiring secure firmware and reliable operation in factory environments. The Cortex-M23 core runs touch-screen UI logic, communicates with field sensors via SERCOM UART/SPI, and updates displays with low-latency event-driven processing. The -40C to +85C temperature range handles factory floor conditions. TrustZone-M isolates HMI application code from secure boot and credential storage, preventing firmware tampering. The integrated 12-bit ADC reads analog control inputs (potentiometers, current sense), and the 32 KB Flash supports rich graphical interfaces with local command processing.
Recommended
Edge AI Sensor Processing
The ATSAML11E15A-AUT serves edge AI sensor processing nodes where on-device inference must run securely with minimal power. The Cortex-M23 core handles simple ML inference (decision trees, basic neural networks) on sensor data before transmit. TrustZone-M protects model weights and inference results from extraction. The <25 uA/MHz active current enables always-on edge inference on battery power. SERCOM interfaces connect to microphones, accelerometers, and environmental sensors. The 12-bit ADC captures analog sensor signals for inference, and the 32 KB Flash stores lightweight ML models with secure OTA updates via TrustZone-protected bootloader.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAML11E15A-AUT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAML11E15A-AUKPH | ATSAML11E15A-AFT | ATSAML11E14A-AUT | ATSAML10E15A-AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 32-TQFP (7x7 mm) | 32-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 32-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 32-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same | 32-TQFP (7x7 mm) - same |
| Core | ARM Cortex-M23 | ARM Cortex-M23 | ARM Cortex-M23 | ARM Cortex-M23 | |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB | |
| SRAM | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | |
| TrustZone-M | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Max Clock Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | |
| Operating Voltage | 1.62V to 3.63V | 1.62V to 3.63V | 1.62V to 3.63V | 1.62V to 3.63V | |
| Temperature Range | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Only TQFP-32 SAM L11 with KPH distribution suffix (vs ATSAML11E15A-AUT (standard suffix))
- TrustZone-M hardware isolation vs SAM L10 family (vs ATSAML10E15A-AU)
- 32KB Flash vs 16KB Flash downgrade option (vs ATSAML11E14A-AUT)
Design Notes
Estimated: Decoupling capacitor placement is critical for SAM L11 low-noise operation. Place a 100 nF ceramic capacitor as close as possible to each VDD pin (typically pins 1 and 32 for TQFP-32), with a 1 uF bulk capacitor within 5 mm. Use X7R or X5R dielectric. Estimated bypass network values based on standard Microchip reference schematics. Inadequate decoupling can cause ADC noise injection and TrustZone-M bus errors.
The ATSAML11E15A-AUT consumes less than 25 uA/MHz active and less than 100 nA sleep, enabling passive thermal management in most designs. Estimated: at maximum 32 MHz active operation, total power dissipation is approximately 0.8 mW. No heatsink required. However, ensure the PCB copper pour around the TQFP thermal pad (or center pad area) is sufficient to dissipate heat during prolonged active periods. Operating temperature must remain within -40C to +85C industrial range per datasheet.
Route the SWDIO (PA14) and SWCLK (PA27) signals with short traces directly to a 10-pin Cortex Debug connector. Keep trace lengths under 50 mm and add 50 ohm series termination if traces exceed 25 mm. Place the RESET line (PA28) with a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF capacitor to ground for clean reset behavior. Keep high-speed SERCOM signals (SPI up to 24 MHz) away from analog ADC traces to prevent coupling.
Do not skip configuration of the TrustZone-M memory partition before deploying code - leaving the SAU (Security Attribution Unit) at default settings will expose secure memory regions to non-secure code, defeating the security architecture. Ensure the NVMCTRL (Flash controller) is configured for the correct wait states at 32 MHz operation. Using wait states below datasheet recommendations will cause Flash read errors and program corruption.
SERCOM peripheral mapping on the ATSAML11E15A-AUT requires careful pin mux configuration in the PORT group registers. Avoid routing SERCOM signals on pins that straddle the ADC analog input pins (PA02-PA05) to prevent digital switching noise from coupling into analog measurements. For high-speed SPI at 24 MHz, use adjacent pin pairs (e.g., PA08/PA09 or PA22/PA23) to minimize loop area and reduce EMI emissions.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade (not AEC-Q100 automotive). Lead-free and halogen-free per Microchip environmental compliance data.
