ATSAML11E15A-MFT - 32KB Flash Cortex-M23 MCU, TrustZone | Microchip
MPN: ATSAML11E15A-MFT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.45 | $3.45 |
| 10 | $3.1 | $31.00 |
| 100 | $2.76 | $276.00 |
| 500 | $2.45 | $1,225.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.18 | $2,180.00 |
| 3,000 | $1.89 | $5,670.00 |
ATSAML11E15A-MFT Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, memory (Flash for program code and SRAM for runtime data), and a rich set of peripherals. The ARM Cortex-M23 is a 32-bit core implementing the ARMv8-M baseline architecture, designed for energy-efficient embedded applications. The SAM L11 family is the industry's first Cortex-M23 MCU to integrate ARM TrustZone for hardware-isolated secure and non-secure code execution, making it a foundational element of secure IoT edge nodes.
Key features of the ATSAML11E15A-MFT include 32 KB Flash, 8 KB SRAM, a 32 MHz maximum CPU clock, 12-bit ADC, 10-bit DAC, analog comparator, and PTC (Peripheral Touch Controller) for capacitive touch sensing. The device achieves less than 25 µA/MHz active current and less than 100 nA in sleep mode, making it one of the lowest-power Cortex-M23 MCUs available. Security features include secure boot, hardware Crypto accelerators (AES, SHA), secure key storage, and true random number generator (TRNG).
Architecturally, the SAM L11 integrates multiple low-power modes (Idle, Standby, Backup, and Off) with sleepwalking peripherals, allowing autonomous peripheral operation without CPU wake-up. The Cortex-M23 core implements the ARMv8-M TrustZone extension with separate secure/non-secure memory regions enforced by the Memory Protection Unit, providing hardware root-of-trust functionality for connected devices.
Typical applications include IoT end nodes requiring secure firmware updates, smart sensors with tamper detection, secure authentication tokens, low-power wireless sensor nodes, capacitive touch user interfaces, and battery-powered industrial sensors. The wide operating voltage range supports direct connection to 1.5 V alkaline or 3.3 V regulated supplies.
When designing with this device, carefully plan TrustZone memory partitioning early in firmware development - partitioning decisions made after the fact require code refactoring. The VQFN-32 package exposes a thermal pad that must be soldered to the PCB ground pour for optimal thermal and electrical performance.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, pin-compatible drop-in alternatives, security feature comparison, and low-power design notes not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAML11E15A-MFT — 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-MFT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Core Architecture, ADC, Active Current.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAML11E16A-MUT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.07 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAML11E15A-AUT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.07 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAML11E15A-AFT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAML11D15A-MFT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAML10E16A-MUT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.42 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAML11E15A-MFT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | ARM Cortex-M23 (ARMv8-M with TrustZone) |
| Bit Width | 32-bit |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 32 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB (32K x 8) |
| SRAM | 8 KB |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.62 V to 3.63 V |
| Active Current | < 25 µA/MHz |
| Sleep Current | < 100 nA |
| Package | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) with exposed pad |
| ADC | 12-bit |
| DAC | 10-bit |
| Comparators | Yes (analog comparator) |
| Touch Sensing | PTC (Peripheral Touch Controller) |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +125°C |
| Security Features | TrustZone-M, secure boot, AES, SHA, TRNG, tamper detection |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
ATSAML11E15A-MFT 32-vqfn (5x5 mm) with exposed pad Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATSAML11E15A-MFT (32-vqfn (5x5 mm) with exposed pad 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 ATSAML11E15A-MFT.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATSAML11E15A-MFT is suitable for 6 applications: Secure IoT Sensor Node, Capacitive Touch User Interface, Battery-Powered Wearable Device, Industrial Sensor Transmitter, Smart Home Security Sensor, Secure Authentication Token.
Secure IoT Sensor Node
The ATSAML11E15A-MFT is ideal for secure IoT sensor nodes requiring authenticated firmware, encrypted communication, and multi-year battery life. The integrated ARM TrustZone-M provides hardware-isolated execution of secure boot code, key material storage, and crypto operations (AES-128, SHA-256), protecting against firmware tampering and key extraction attacks. The 32 KB Flash accommodates TLS client stacks or LoRaWAN/Matter protocol libraries, while the 12-bit ADC directly digitizes sensor outputs. Active current under 25 µA/MHz and sleep current below 100 nA enable coin-cell or 2xAA operation for years. The wide 1.62 V to 3.63 V input range supports direct battery connection without external regulation. Use this part when security and low power are non-negotiable.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interface
The ATSAML11E15A-MFT integrates Microchip's Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC), enabling robust capacitive touch sensing for buttons, sliders, and proximity detection without external touch ICs. The PTC supports both self- and mutual-capacitance modes with hardware-driven noise filtering and moisture tolerance, simplifying firmware development. Combined with the Cortex-M23 core's 32 MHz operation, touch scanning and gesture recognition execute in real time. The 8 KB SRAM is sufficient for event buffers and small display drivers. Sleep current below 100 nA enables always-on touch wake-up from deep sleep, conserving battery in remote controls, appliances, and industrial HMI panels. The 32-VQFN package fits behind glass or plastic overlays.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Wearable Device
The ATSAML11E15A-MFT suits battery-powered wearables thanks to its <25 µA/MHz active current and <100 nA sleep current, enabling multi-week runtime from small Li-ion or coin-cell batteries. The Cortex-M23 core executes sensor fusion algorithms (accelerometer, heart rate, temperature) at 32 MHz with low overhead. The integrated 12-bit ADC and 10-bit DAC support direct sensor interfacing and analog signal generation. The compact 32-VQFN 5x5 mm package enables small form-factor designs, while the 1.62 V to 3.63 V supply range accommodates direct battery operation. TrustZone security protects biometric data and prevents unauthorized firmware replacement, critical for health and fitness wearables handling personal data.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Transmitter
The ATSAML11E15A-MFT operates over the full -40°C to +125°C industrial temperature range, making it suitable for harsh-environment sensor transmitters in factory automation and process control. The 12-bit ADC digitizes 4-20 mA current loop or 0-10 V analog sensors, while the integrated DAC drives analog outputs. Hardware Crypto and secure boot protect calibration data and prevent unauthorized configuration changes, important for certified measurement instruments. The Cortex-M23 at 32 MHz handles protocol stacks (HART, IO-Link, Modbus) with headroom for diagnostic routines. Wide supply tolerance accommodates 24V industrial bus systems with simple LDO regulation.
Recommended
Smart Home Security Sensor
The ATSAML11E15A-MFT provides hardware-rooted security for smart home motion, door/window, and environmental sensors. TrustZone-M isolates the secure boot code and AES encryption keys from the main application, preventing remote attackers from extracting credentials even with full firmware access. Active current under 25 µA/MHz and sleep current below 100 nA enable 5-10 year battery life on CR2032 cells with periodic wireless transmission. The 32 KB Flash accommodates Z-Wave, Zigbee, or Matter device firmware, while the small 32-VQFN package fits inside compact sensor enclosures. Tamper detection features alert the system to physical intrusion attempts.
Recommended
Secure Authentication Token
The ATSAML11E15A-MFT serves as the core of hardware authentication tokens for FIDO2/WebAuthn, secure access control, and passwordless login. The integrated ARM TrustZone and hardware AES-128/SHA-256 accelerators execute cryptographic operations faster than software implementations, reducing latency for end-user authentication. Secure key storage in protected Flash regions prevents key extraction. The Cortex-M23 core handles USB or NFC communication, button input, and biometric verification. With active current under 25 µA/MHz and sleep current below 100 nA, tokens can operate for months on small rechargeable batteries. The 32-VQFN compact package fits inside keyfob form factors.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAML11E15A-MFT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAML11E16A-MUT | ATSAML11E15A-AUT | ATSAML11E15A-AFT | ATSAML11D15A-MFT | ATSAML10E16A-MUT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) - same | 32-TQFP - same pin count, different footprint | 32-TQFP - same pin count, different footprint | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) - same | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) - same |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB | 64 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 64 KB |
| SRAM | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB |
| TrustZone-M | Yes (with Crypto) | Yes (with Crypto) | Yes (with Crypto) | Yes (with Crypto) | No (SAM L11 D variant) | No (SAM L10 family) |
| Hardware Crypto (AES/SHA) | Yes (AES-128, SHA-256) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Maximum Clock | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 1.62 V to 3.63 V | 1.62 V to 3.63 V | 1.62 V to 3.63 V | 1.62 V to 3.63 V | 1.62 V to 3.63 V | 1.62 V to 3.63 V |
| Active Current | < 25 µA/MHz | < 25 µA/MHz | < 25 µA/MHz | < 25 µA/MHz | < 25 µA/MHz | < 25 µA/MHz |
Key Differentiators
- Industry's first Cortex-M23 MCU with integrated TrustZone-M (vs ATSAML10E16A-MUT)
- Lower-power consumption than equivalent Cortex-M0+ MCUs (vs ATSAML11D15A-MFT)
- Wide operating voltage supports direct battery connection (vs ATSAML11E15A-AUT (TQFP variant))
Design Notes
The ATSAML11E15A-MFT achieves <100 nA sleep current only when all peripherals are properly disabled before sleep entry. Configure the ADC, DAC, and SERCOM peripherals in standby via the CLKCTRL and APBCMASK registers before issuing the WFI instruction. Use the RTC with 32.768 kHz external crystal as the wake source for periodic sampling applications. Avoid leaving floating GPIO pins - configure unused pins as inputs with pull-down or outputs driving known states to prevent phantom current paths of 1-5 µA per pin.
The 32-VQFN package has an exposed thermal pad (pin 33) that MUST be soldered to a ground copper pour for proper thermal dissipation and electrical reference. Recommended PCB layout: at least 4 thermal vias (0.3 mm diameter) connecting the thermal pad to an inner ground plane. Without proper thermal pad soldering, junction temperature can rise 15-20°C above ambient at full CPU load, potentially triggering thermal throttling at the 125°C maximum. Estimate: at 32 MHz active with 25 µA/MHz draw and 3.3V supply, internal dissipation is ~2.6 mW - well within safe limits when thermal pad is correctly soldered.
Place decoupling capacitors (100 nF ceramic + 4.7 µF bulk) within 2 mm of each VDD pin. For the VQFN-32 package, use 0402-size ceramic capacitors on the inner row pins to minimize loop area. Keep the 32.768 kHz crystal traces short (<5 mm) and surrounded by ground pour to reduce noise coupling into the RTC oscillator. Separate analog AVSS/AVDD traces from digital switching signals with a ground moat, especially around the 12-bit ADC inputs. Maintain 50 Ω controlled impedance for SWDIO/SWCLK traces if debugger cable length exceeds 100 mm.
Plan TrustZone memory partitioning BEFORE writing application code. Once code is developed for non-secure mode, refactoring to add secure regions requires significant rework of peripheral access calls (must use non-secure callable veneers). Configure the BOOTPROT and SECUM bits in the NVMCTRL early in firmware initialization to lock Flash regions before any sensitive operations. Do not skip the explicit cache disable after Flash writes - leaving the cache enabled can cause stale instruction execution within the next 100 ms. Use Microchip's TrustZone Project Builder in MPLAB X to visualize memory maps during development.
Route the SWD (Serial Wire Debug) signals (SWDIO, SWCLK, NRST) to a dedicated 10-pin or 4-pin header on the board edge for production programming and debug access. Add a 10 kΩ pull-up on NRST and 100 kΩ pull-down on SWDIO per ARM CoreSight recommendations. Keep the VQFN-32 thermal pad clear of signal traces - only vias and thermal relief should penetrate this region. For USB applications using the SERCOM as USB, add 90 Ω differential impedance matching on D+/D- traces and place the 48 MHz crystal within 5 mm of the XIN/XOUT pins.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is a general-purpose MCU; automotive variants are not offered in this specific part number. For automotive-grade SAM L11, consult Microchip's automotive MCU portfolio.
