ATSAML11E15A-MU - 32KB Flash Cortex-M23 MCU w/ TrustZone | Microchip
MPN: ATSAML11E15A-MU ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.56 | $25.60 |
| 100 | $2.18 | $218.00 |
| 500 | $1.92 | $960.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.74 | $1,740.00 |
| 3,000 | $1.55 | $4,650.00 |
ATSAML11E15A-MU 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 such as timers, communication interfaces, and analog blocks. The Cortex-M23 is an ARMv8-M Baseline core that introduces TrustZone for ARMv8-M, the smallest and most energy-efficient implementation of hardware-isolated trusted execution. The SAM L11 family from Microchip sits inside the wider 32-bit MCU hierarchy (ARM Cortex-M -> 32-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> semiconductor), and it is positioned as Microchip's ultra-low-power secure MCU line for IoT endpoints.
The ATSAML11E15A-MU integrates secure key storage, chip-level tamper resistance, hardware crypto accelerators (AES, SHA, TRNG), and an enhanced Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC) for capacitive touch and proximity sensing. Its 6 SERCOM (serial communication) interfaces can each be configured as UART, I2C, or SPI, giving designers flexibility to mix protocol needs. The device supports 1.62 V to 3.63 V supply voltage and an industrial operating temperature range of -40 C to +85 C.
Typical applications include secure IoT sensor nodes, connected medical devices, smart-home controllers, low-power wireless endpoints (LoRa/BLE/Zigbee host MCUs), and touch-based human-machine interfaces. The combination of TrustZone isolation and <25 uA/MHz active power allows secure firmware updates and authenticated sensor telemetry on a coin-cell or Li-Ion battery for years.
When designing with this part, allocate sufficient Flash for a TrustZone-aware linker script (Secure / Non-Secure split), and reserve one SERCOM for a debug UART or external memory. Bypass VDD with 100 nF and 4.7 uF ceramic capacitors placed within 3 mm of the supply pins. The QFN package requires a small thermal pad for ground reference and improved electrical performance.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing as of 2026-09-22, Microchip same-family alternatives with shared QFN-32 footprints, drop-in replacement guidance, and PCB/design notes that are not duplicated on the manufacturer datasheet landing page.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAML11E15A-MU — 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-MU (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Core Architecture, Active Current, Sleep Current.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAML11E15A-MFT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.89 / 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 →ATSAML11E14A-MU
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAML11E15A-AUKPH
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAML11E15A-MU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | ARM Cortex-M23 with TrustZone (ARMv8-M Baseline) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB (32K x 8) |
| SRAM | 8 KB |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.62 V to 3.63 V |
| Active Mode Current | <25 uA/MHz |
| Sleep Mode Current | <100 nA |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C |
| Package | 32-pin VQFN (5x5 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| SERCOM Modules | 6 (configurable as UART/I2C/SPI) |
| Crypto Acceleration | AES, SHA, TRNG (hardware) |
| Touch Controller | Enhanced Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC) |
| TrustZone | Yes (ARMv8-M TrustZone) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
ATSAML11E15A-MU Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Main supply voltage input (1.62 V to 3.63 V) |
| Pin 2 | GND — Ground reference |
| Pin 3 | PA00 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 4 | PA01 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 5 | PA02 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 6 | PA03 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 7 | PA04 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 8 | PA05 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 9 | PA06 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 10 | PA07 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 11 | PA08 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 12 | PA09 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 13 | PA10 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 14 | PA11 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 15 | PA14 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 16 | PA15 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 17 | PA16 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 18 | PA17 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 19 | PA18 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 20 | PA19 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 21 | PA20 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 22 | PA21 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 23 | PA22 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 24 | PA23 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 25 | PA24 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 26 | PA25 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 27 | PA27 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 28 | PA28 — General purpose I/O / SERCOM pad |
| Pin 29 | RESET — Active-low reset input |
| Pin 30 | SWDIO — Serial Wire Debug data |
| Pin 31 | SWCLK — Serial Wire Debug clock |
| Pin 32 | GND — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
ATSAML11E15A-MU is suitable for 6 applications: Secure IoT Sensor Nodes, Battery-Powered Medical Wearables, Smart Home Hubs and Touch Panels, Industrial Sensor Edge Nodes, Connected Automotive Sub-systems, Capacitive Touch Human-Machine Interface.
Secure IoT Sensor Nodes
The ATSAML11E15A-MU is purpose-built for secure IoT sensor endpoints, where its <25 uA/MHz active current and <100 nA sleep current enable multi-year battery life on a coin cell or Li-Ion pack. Integrated hardware AES/SHA/TRNG plus ARM TrustZone isolation allow firmware to authenticate telemetry to the gateway and accept authenticated over-the-air firmware updates. With 32 KB Flash it can host a small TLS stack, an application layer, and a TrustZone-aware secure bootloader concurrently. Six SERCOMs map to UART, I2C, or SPI for any sensor or sub-GHz radio frontend. Estimated active-mode runtime at 10% duty cycle and 3.3 V typically exceeds 5 years on a 240 mAh CR2032.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Medical Wearables
Wearable medical devices (continuous glucose monitors, pulse oximeters, smart patches) demand a low-power 32-bit MCU with deterministic real-time response and reliable firmware security. The ATSAML11E15A-MU delivers sub-100 nA sleep retention while keeping RTC and SRAM alive for instant wake on sensor interrupt. TrustZone protects patient-identifiable data buffers and firmware integrity, while the enhanced Peripheral Touch Controller on certain package variants supports on-skin capacitive buttons without an external touch IC. The QFN-32 (5x5 mm) footprint keeps the BOM area small enough for a wrist-worn form factor.
Recommended
Smart Home Hubs and Touch Panels
In wall-mount smart-home control panels and appliances, the ATSAML11E15A-MU serves as the secure host MCU running the user interface logic, touch scanning, and secure commissioning. Its enhanced PTC supports up to 12 self-capacitance touch channels for sliders and buttons without an external touch controller, lowering BOM cost. TrustZone isolates commissioning credentials (Wi-Fi/BLE pairing keys) from the main application, so firmware exploits cannot exfiltrate them. The 32 KB Flash budget fits an LVGL-style UI plus an MQTT/HTTP bridge, and 8 KB SRAM is sufficient for screen-frame buffers under partial-update schemes.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Edge Nodes
Industrial 4.0 edge nodes - process transmitters, flow meters, predictive-maintenance vibration sensors - need a 32-bit MCU that can run cryptographic authentication, communicate over RS-485 or CAN, and survive -40 C to +85 C enclosures. The ATSAML11E15A-MU meets this profile with its industrial temperature grade, hardware AES for OPC-UA or MQTT-TLS payloads, and up to six SERCOMs that can be configured as UART, I2C, or SPI. The -MFT drop-in variant extends the upper limit to +125 C for unventilated enclosures. Estimated active-mode power at 32 MHz is approximately 800 uA at 3.3 V.
Recommended
Connected Automotive Sub-systems
Within automotive body-electronics and cabin sub-systems (HVAC controls, ambient lighting controllers, seat modules), the AEC-Q100 qualified ATSAML11E15A-AUT drop-in variant of this die provides the same QFN-32 footprint, TrustZone, and SERCOM count. Its hardware crypto accelerators protect CAN/XL message authentication, while the low active current keeps quiescent drain on the 12 V battery in check when the vehicle is parked. Engineers can develop with the industrial-grade ATSAML11E15A-MU in the lab and qualify the production build with the -AUT variant without changing PCB layout.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch Human-Machine Interface
The ATSAML11E15A-MU's enhanced Peripheral Touch Controller supports both self- and mutual-capacitance scanning, enabling robust touch buttons, sliders, and proximity wakeup on appliances, locks, and industrial HMIs. Hardware-driven PTC scanning offloads the CPU, allowing the core to stay in a low-power sleep state between touches. Combined with TrustZone, designers can implement anti-tamper touch gestures whose calibration coefficients are stored in secure flash. The QFN-32 footprint allows routing of up to 12 touch electrodes directly to the package pins without a matrix multiplexer.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAML11E15A-MU — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAML11E15A-MFT | ATSAML11E15A-AUT | ATSAML11E15A-AFT | ATSAML11E14A-MU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) - same | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) - same | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) - same | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) - same |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB (-50%) |
| SRAM | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB |
| Core Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| TrustZone | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) | -40 C to +125 C (extended) | -40 C to +85 C (automotive) | -40 C to +125 C (automotive) | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) |
| AEC-Q100 Qualified | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Active Current | <25 uA/MHz | <25 uA/MHz | <25 uA/MHz | <25 uA/MHz | <25 uA/MHz |
Key Differentiators
- Higher Flash density at the same package footprint (vs ATSAML11E14A-MU)
- Industrial temperature with pin-to-pin compatibility to AEC-Q100 grade (vs ATSAML11E15A-AUT)
- Lower sleep current than the extended-temperature variant (vs ATSAML11E15A-MFT)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 3.3 V VDD and 32 MHz active mode, the ATSAML11E15A-MU draws ~800 kA continuously. Place one 100 nF X7R 0402 ceramic bypass capacitor within 3 mm of each VDD pin and one shared 4.7 uF X5R bulk capacitor on the supply rail. For battery-powered designs, route the MCU's VDD through an external load switch or LDO enable pin so unused peripherals can be power-gated during sleep.
The 32-pin VQFN package exposes a central thermal/ground pad on its underside. This pad must be soldered to a ground pour on the top layer for electrical reference and thermal dissipation, with at least 5 thermal vias (0.3 mm drill, 0.5 mm pitch) stitching the pad to the internal ground plane. Failing to solder the e-pad can degrade ADC noise performance and SERCOM signal integrity at higher baud rates.
Do not assume all 32 pins are user I/O - pins 1 and 32 are VDD and GND, and pin 29 is the active-low RESET input which must be pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor for normal operation. The SWDIO/SWCLK pins (30, 31) are required for programming and debug; if your enclosure forbids through-hole access, route them to a 2x5 0.05 inch Tag-Connect footprint to preserve field-recovery capability.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance confirmed via Microchip product page. The ATSAML11E15A-MU itself is not AEC-Q100 qualified; choose the -AUT variant for automotive applications.
