ATXMEGA16C4-CU - 16KB 32MHz AVR XMEGA | Microchip
MPN: ATXMEGA16C4-CU ✓ ActiveATXMEGA16C4-CU Overview
An AVR XMEGA microcontroller is an 8/16-bit RISC microcontroller family that combines nonvolatile program memory, data EEPROM, SRAM, event-system peripherals, timers, communication interfaces, and analog functions in one integrated circuit. It sits within the hierarchy of microcontroller, embedded processor, semiconductor, and electronic control components. The ATXMEGA16C4 specifically combines 16 KB of programmable Flash, including a 4 KB boot-code section with independent lock bits, with 1 KB of EEPROM and 2 KB of SRAM.
Key features include read-while-write Flash capability, in-system self-programming, and a four-channel event system. Its 32 MHz operating speed supports event-driven control and efficient peripheral operation without relying on a separate external processor. The 1.6 V to 3.6 V operating-supply range also allows integration with 1.8 V and 3.3 V system rails. The 49-VFBGA package reduces board area but requires careful ball-layout, escape-routing, assembly, and inspection planning.
The manufacturer datasheet identifies the device as part of the high-performance, low-power AVR XMEGA family. Its four-channel event system can link timer and communication events, reducing polling overhead and helping designers create predictable control sequences. Read-while-write Flash support can simplify firmware-update workflows when the application and boot sections are partitioned correctly. These features distinguish it from basic 8-bit microcontrollers that offer fewer event-management resources or less flexible self-programming support.
Typical uses include industrial sensor controllers, compact motor-control modules, communication nodes, instrumentation, and low-power embedded products. In an industrial node, the event system can coordinate timing among timers and serial interfaces, while 2 KB of SRAM supports protocol buffers and application state. In a compact sensor product, the low-voltage supply range and small VFBGA footprint simplify integration near transducers and radio or network interfaces.
Designers should verify BGA escape routing, pad density, assembly process capability, exposed-pad requirements, and programming access before layout release. The 49-ball footprint is not represented by the available package-diagram library, so the pinout field is intentionally null rather than inferred. Firmware developers should also validate interrupt priorities, event-system routing, boot-loader protection, and timing margins before production release.
This page combines the verified manufacturer specifications, current distributor price of $1.7168 as of 2026-10-29, package information, and cross-reference results. It also distinguishes electrically board-compatible family variants from fully equivalent drop-in replacements, helping engineers avoid assuming that matching memory size and package alone guarantees software-compatible substitution.
Drop-in alternatives for ATXMEGA16C4-CU — 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 ATXMEGA16C4-CU (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Product Type.
ATXMEGA32C4-CU
✅ Drop-InContact for price
View Datasheet →ATXMEGA32A4U-CU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATXMEGA16A4U-CU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATXMEGA16C4-CU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | 8/16-bit RISC microcontroller |
| Architecture | AVR XMEGA |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Operating Supply Voltage | 1.6 V to 3.6 V |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB |
| Boot Code Section | 4 KB |
| EEPROM | 1 KB |
| SRAM | 2 KB |
| Program Memory Type | In-system self-programmable Flash |
| Read-While-Write Support | Yes |
| Event System | 4 channels |
| Package | 49-VFBGA, 5 x 5 mm |
| Pin Count | 49 pins |
| Mounting Type | Surface mount |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial temperature |
| Manufacturer | Microchip Technology |
ATXMEGA16C4-CU 49-vfbga, 5 x 5 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATXMEGA16C4-CU (49-vfbga, 5 x 5 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 ATXMEGA16C4-CU.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATXMEGA16C4-CU is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor and Condition Monitoring, Compact Motor and Actuator Control, Low-Power Communications Node, Instrumentation and Data Acquisition, Programmable Logic and Control Module, Battery-Powered Embedded Product.
Industrial Sensor and Condition Monitoring
The ATXMEGA16C4-CU fits compact industrial monitoring modules because its 32 MHz AVR XMEGA processor can service sensor sampling and control logic while 2 KB of SRAM accommodates working buffers and 1 KB of EEPROM stores calibration or configuration data. Its 1.6 V to 3.6 V operating range supports 1.8 V and 3.3 V powered designs, while the four-channel event system can coordinate timer-driven sampling without continuous polling. A practical implementation places the device beside the sensor front end, uses the event channels for periodic acquisition, and retains configuration in EEPROM. The 49-VFBGA footprint saves board area, but assembly capability, ball-access routing, and long-term availability must be confirmed before production release.
Recommended
Compact Motor and Actuator Control
ATXMEGA16C4-CU is suitable for compact actuator controllers where deterministic timing, local logic, and modest memory requirements matter more than a large application program. Its 32 MHz operating speed supports event-driven control sequences, and the four-channel event system can link timer events to communication or output updates with less polling overhead. The 2 KB SRAM can hold motion-state variables and short command buffers, while 1 KB of EEPROM preserves calibration limits or configuration. Designers should use timer outputs for precise switching where possible and isolate motor-current noise from sensitive control circuitry. Firmware must also include valid safe states for sensor faults, stalled actuators, and loss of the controller supply.
Recommended
Low-Power Communications Node
The ATXMEGA16C4-CU can serve as the control processor in a compact communications node that needs local protocol handling and event-driven peripheral coordination. Its 16 KB Flash is appropriate for a focused protocol stack, boot logic, diagnostics, and application code, while 2 KB of SRAM can support small transmit and receive buffers. The four-channel event system is valuable when timer-driven packet handling must interact with serial events. The 1.6 V to 3.6 V range allows operation from 1.8 V or 3.3 V rails. For a wireless node, confirm radio wake time, current consumption, antenna interface requirements, and firmware memory use. Deep-sleep current should be obtained from the manufacturer electrical tables before calculating battery life.
Recommended
Instrumentation and Data Acquisition
ATXMEGA16C4-CU is appropriate for compact instrumentation modules that coordinate measurements, local display or communications, and configuration storage. Its 32 MHz clock provides processing headroom for protocol conversion and control algorithms, while the event system can synchronize periodic measurements without relying on a main-loop delay. The 2 KB SRAM supports small sample and command buffers, and the 1 KB EEPROM can preserve instrument settings. Because the verified data does not specify the exact analog peripheral set, designers must confirm ADC, comparator, timer, and reference requirements directly in the device datasheet. Precision analog performance also depends on layout, grounding, reference selection, and external components that the microcontroller itself cannot determine.
Recommended
Programmable Logic and Control Module
The ATXMEGA16C4-CU can implement compact programmable-control logic when the task fits 16 KB of Flash and 2 KB of SRAM. Its timer-centric event architecture allows multiple internal events to be coordinated deterministically, reducing the latency and software overhead associated with polling multiple peripherals. The device can also use its in-system self-programmable Flash and 4 KB boot-code area for controlled configuration updates, subject to the manufacturer’s boot-section and lock-bit rules. Firmware design should partition stable bootloader code from updateable application data and test interrupted update recovery. Security-sensitive deployments should add authentication and anti-rollback measures rather than relying on Flash lock bits alone.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Embedded Product
ATXMEGA16C4-CU fits battery-powered embedded products when its active and sleep consumption satisfy the energy budget and 16 KB is sufficient for the application. The 1.6 V to 3.6 V operating range can reduce conversion overhead in low-voltage systems, while the low-power XMEGA platform supports duty-cycled operation. A practical design keeps radio, sensors, and analog front ends disabled while the MCU sleeps, then uses a timer or external interrupt to wake the processor and service work. The four-channel event system may reduce active time by coordinating peripheral activity. Exact battery-life calculations require mode-specific current from the manufacturer datasheet, regulator quiescent current, wake-up latency, and application duty cycle; none should be inferred from the 32 MHz maximum clock alone.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATXMEGA16C4-CU — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATXMEGA32C4-CU | ATXMEGA32A4U-CU | ATXMEGA16A4U-CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 49-VFBGA (5 x 5 mm) | 49-VFBGA (5 x 5 mm) | 49-VFBGA (5 x 5 mm) | 49-VFBGA (5 x 5 mm) |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB |
Key Differentiators
- Matches 16 KB Flash capacity while offering a compact same-package family candidate (vs ATXMEGA32C4-CU)
- Lower nominal flash demand can simplify memory planning (vs ATXMEGA32A4U-CU)
- Supports event-driven control with four hardware event channels (vs ATXMEGA16A4U-CU)
- Industrial-temperature package variant (vs ATXMEGA32C4-CU)
Design Notes
The 49-VFBGA package requires a deliberate escape-routing strategy. Confirm the land pattern and ball map from the manufacturer datasheet, including any exposed-pad or thermal-ball connection, before schematic release. Route programming signals, reset, clock, and critical communications through accessible test points or pads. Because the package is not represented by the available SVG library, do not infer ball orientation or numbering from a generic BGA drawing; use the manufacturer package drawing and the PCB assembly house’s land-pattern library.
The verified operating range is 1.6 V to 3.6 V. Keep the regulator design within that range under startup, load transients, temperature, and component tolerance, not merely at nominal input voltage. Place local supply bypassing close to the device’s power and ground balls, and verify the selected bypass network against the manufacturer’s recommendations. If the module also powers a radio, motor driver, or precision analog block, account for shared supply noise and sequencing. Deep-sleep current and active current must be read from the exact device electrical tables because those figures were not present in the supplied verification.
Do not treat the 49-VFBGA package match as sufficient proof that ATXMEGA32C4-CU or another family variant is an unconditional drop-in replacement. Compare every ball function, peripheral availability, clock arrangement, programming interface, and supply requirement. The 32 KB member also changes the memory map relative to the 16 KB target, so rebuild and test firmware, boot code, timing-sensitive loops, and update logic. For A-series candidates, verify pin multiplexing and peripheral differences even when nominal Flash remains 16 KB.
Separate sensitive analog and communication paths from switching or motor-current returns. Use a compact ground return, avoid routing high-current edges beneath sensitive MCU nets, and provide a quiet reference path for any analog measurement circuitry. The four-channel event system can improve timing determinism, but it cannot correct poor grounding, supply bounce, oscillator noise, or an inadequately filtered reference. Validate signal integrity and radiated-emissions behavior with the final enclosure, cables, power supply, and peripheral loads rather than only on an exposed development board.
Compliance Information
The verified Mouser snippet identifies the CU ordering code as a green-package industrial-temperature device, but no explicit RoHS, REACH, AEC-Q100, lead-free, halogen-free, or conflict-minerals declarations were supplied. AEC-Q100 is shown as not_qualified because no automotive qualification statement is present.
