ATMEGA163-8PI - 8-bit AVR MCU 16KB Flash 8MHz 40-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA163-8PI ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.95 | $4.95 |
| 10 | $4.55 | $45.50 |
| 100 | $4.1 | $410.00 |
| 500 | $3.75 | $1,875.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.4 | $3,400.00 |
ATMEGA163-8PI Overview
An 8-bit AVR microcontroller is a single-chip processor built on the AVR enhanced RISC architecture, in which most of the 130 powerful instructions execute in a single clock cycle. Within the semiconductor hierarchy, it belongs to the microcontroller (MCU) class of embedded processors, descending from the AVR ATmega product family, and integrates program memory, data memory, peripherals, and a CPU core in one package.
Key features include 32 x 8 general-purpose working registers, fully static operation for clock-speed-independent timing, an on-chip 2-cycle hardware multiplier, and In-System Programmable (ISP) flash that allows firmware updates without removing the chip from the PCB. The single-cycle instruction execution delivers throughput approaching 1 MIPS per MHz, letting designers trade clock speed directly against power consumption.
Technically, the ATmega163 combines a rich AVR instruction set with 32 general-purpose registers that are all directly connected to the ALU, allowing two independent registers to be accessed in one instruction executed in one clock cycle. This Harvard-architecture pipeline is the foundation of the high code efficiency and real-time deterministic behavior the AVR core is known for.
Typical applications include legacy industrial control boards, embedded instrumentation, motor-adjacent control logic, and hobby or educational platforms that require a robust DIP-packaged, socketed microcontroller that can be reprogrammed in-system.
When designing with this device, remember the 8 MHz maximum clock frequency specified for the -8 speed grade, and use a crystal with proper load capacitors on XTAL1/XTAL2 for timing-critical designs.
This page adds value beyond the manufacturer datasheet by consolidating distributor availability, drop-in alternatives, design notes, and FAQ answers in one place. Pricing shown is an estimate; request a quote from XAIPART for current ATMEGA163-8PI pricing as of 2026-09-16.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA163-8PI — 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 ATMEGA163-8PI (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Throughput, Core Architecture, Debug Interface.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA323-8PI
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.48 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA162L-8PI
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$3.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA162-16PU
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$3.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA16-16PI
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$3.72 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA8515-16PI
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA163-8PI Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | AVR |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Series | AVR ATmega |
| Program Memory Size | 16KB (8K x 16) FLASH |
| RAM Size | 1KB x 8 SRAM |
| Program Memory Type | In-System Programmable FLASH |
| Speed | 8 MHz |
| Throughput | Up to 8 MIPS at 8 MHz (approaching 1 MIPS per MHz) |
| Instruction Set | 130 powerful instructions, most single-clock-cycle |
| General Purpose Registers | 32 x 8 |
| Hardware Multiplier | On-chip 2-cycle multiplier |
| Operation | Fully static |
| Package | 40-PDIP (0.600 inch, 15.24 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through Hole |
| Temperature Grade | I (Industrial, -40C to +85C) |
ATMEGA163-8PI Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PB0 — Port B bit 0 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 2 | PB1 — Port B bit 1 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 3 | PB2 — Port B bit 2 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 4 | PB3 — Port B bit 3 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 5 | PB4 — Port B bit 4 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 6 | PB5 — Port B bit 5 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 7 | PB6 — Port B bit 6 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 8 | PB7 — Port B bit 7 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 9 | RESET — Reset input (active low) |
| Pin 10 | VCC — Digital supply voltage |
| Pin 11 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 12 | XTAL2 — Oscillator amplifier output |
| Pin 13 | XTAL1 — Oscillator amplifier input / external clock |
| Pin 14 | PD0 — Port D bit 0 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 15 | PD1 — Port D bit 1 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 16 | PD2 — Port D bit 2 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 17 | PD3 — Port D bit 3 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 18 | PD4 — Port D bit 4 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 19 | PD5 — Port D bit 5 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 20 | PD6 — Port D bit 6 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 21 | PD7 — Port D bit 7 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 22 | PC0 — Port C bit 0 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 23 | PC1 — Port C bit 1 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 24 | PC2 — Port C bit 2 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 25 | PC3 — Port C bit 3 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 26 | PC4 — Port C bit 4 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 27 | PC5 — Port C bit 5 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 28 | PC6 — Port C bit 6 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 29 | PC7 — Port C bit 7 (general-purpose I/O) |
| Pin 30 | AVCC — Analog supply voltage for ADC |
| Pin 31 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 32 | AREF — Analog reference voltage for ADC |
| Pin 33 | PA0 — Port A bit 0 (general-purpose I/O / ADC) |
| Pin 34 | PA1 — Port A bit 1 (general-purpose I/O / ADC) |
| Pin 35 | PA2 — Port A bit 2 (general-purpose I/O / ADC) |
| Pin 36 | PA3 — Port A bit 3 (general-purpose I/O / ADC) |
| Pin 37 | PA4 — Port A bit 4 (general-purpose I/O / ADC) |
| Pin 38 | PA5 — Port A bit 5 (general-purpose I/O / ADC) |
| Pin 39 | PA6 — Port A bit 6 (general-purpose I/O / ADC) |
| Pin 40 | PA7 — Port A bit 7 (general-purpose I/O / ADC) |
Typical Applications
ATMEGA163-8PI is suitable for 6 applications: Legacy Industrial Control Boards, Embedded Instrumentation and Test Equipment, Educational and Hobby Embedded Platforms, Motor-Adjacent Control Logic and Relay Sequencing, Building Automation and Environmental Monitoring, Secure Legacy Repair and Obsolescence Management.
Legacy Industrial Control Boards
The ATMEGA163-8PI fits industrial control PCBs that were designed around DIP-40 AVR sockets, where the industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating and through-hole mounting provide vibration-tolerant, field-replaceable reliability. Its 16KB ISP flash is large enough for relay-sequencing, sensor-polling, and Modus-style serial protocols implemented in compact AVR code, and its fully static operation allows low-clock, low-EMI designs. Because it executes most of its 130 instructions in a single cycle at up to 8 MIPS, deterministic I/O timing is easy to guarantee. Heisener's 62,616-piece stock makes it viable for sustaining these boards, while the ATMEGA323-8PI serves as the forward-drop-in when inventory runs out.
Recommended
Embedded Instrumentation and Test Equipment
Bench instruments, data loggers, and measurement front-ends benefit from the ATMEGA163-8PI's 1KB SRAM for sample buffering and its 32 x 8 register file, which lets tight measurement loops run without RAM spills. The on-chip 2-cycle multiplier accelerates scaling math such as ADC calibration and unit conversion, while the 1-MIPS-per-MHz instruction efficiency keeps power consumption low in battery-operated meters. The socketed DIP package allows instruments to be field-upgraded by simply swapping or reprogramming the MCU through its In-System Programmable flash. For higher-clock designs migrating the same hardware, the ATMEGA16-16PI doubles throughput to 16 MIPS on the identical footprint.
Recommended
Educational and Hobby Embedded Platforms
The ATMEGA163-8PI's 40-pin DIP package is ideal for breadboards, solderless prototypes, and educational trainer kits, because every pin - including XTAL1/XTAL2, RESET, and the AVR port pins - is visible and probe-friendly for learning. Its 16KB In-System Programmable flash supports classroom re-flashing cycles without wear concerns, and the well-documented AVR instruction set with 130 mostly single-cycle instructions is a standard teaching architecture. The fully static core tolerates slow manual clocking during step-through debugging exercises. Stock from DigiKey ('order today, ships today') and XAIPART supports small educational volume orders at qty-1 pricing of approximately $4.95 as of 2026-09-16.
Recommended
Motor-Adjacent Control Logic and Relay Sequencing
In systems where a dedicated drive chip handles the motor power stage, the ATMEGA163-8PI serves as the sequencing controller: it generates PWM references, monitors limit switches, and manages start/stop interlocks. The single-cycle instruction execution gives sub-microsecond interrupt latency at 8 MHz, which is fast enough for PWM bit-banging at low resolution, while the on-chip 2-cycle multiplier handles speed-ramp calculations efficiently. The industrial temperature grade suits motor-enclosure environments that experience wide thermal swings. Designers migrating these boards should pair the MCU with modern gate drivers and consider the ATMEGA323-8PI to gain 2KB SRAM for larger ramp tables and logging buffers.
Recommended
Building Automation and Environmental Monitoring
Thermostats, light controllers, and environmental sensor nodes use the ATMEGA163-8PI where its 1KB SRAM comfortably holds sensor averaging buffers and display variables, and its low-power static operation enables duty-cycled battery designs. The near 1-MIPS-per-MHz efficiency means the MCU can sleep at low clock rates and burst to full 8-MIPS throughput only during radio or display updates. Through-hole mounting withstands the thermal cycling of wall-mounted HVAC hardware better than fine-pitch SMD, and ISP flash enables firmware updates during building maintenance visits without desoldering. Because the part is EOL, new building-automation designs should pin the ATMEGA162L-8PI for low-voltage rail compatibility.
Recommended
Secure Legacy Repair and Obsolescence Management
Repair depots maintaining ATmega163-based equipment - from medical bench gear to factory machines - rely on the ATMEGA163-8PI as a last-time-buy component while transitioning designs. Its exact register map and fuse settings guarantee drop-in function in boards whose firmware cannot be recompiled, unlike newer family members that require code review. Distributor inventory such as Heisener's 62,616 pieces and DigiKey's ship-today stock provides a buffer window for planned migration. The recommended strategy is to qualify the ATMEGA323-8PI in parallel, since published cross-comparisons (FindIC) document its near-identical architecture, giving maintenance teams a long-term sourced path once ATmega163 stock is exhausted.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA163-8PI — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA323-8PI | ATMEGA162L-8PI | ATMEGA16-16PI | ATMEGA8515-16PI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) | Microchip Technology (Atmel) |
| Package | 40-PDIP (0.600 inch, 15.24 mm) | 40-PDIP - same | 40-PDIP - same | 40-PDIP - same | 40-PDIP - same |
| Program Flash | 16KB (8K x 16) | 16KB (8K x 16) | 16KB | 16KB | 8KB |
| SRAM | 1KB x 8 | 2KB x 8 | 1KB | 1KB | 512B |
| Max Clock Speed | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz (L grade) | 16 MHz | 16 MHz |
| Throughput | Up to 8 MIPS at 8 MHz | Up to 8 MIPS | Up to 8 MIPS | Up to 16 MIPS | Up to 16 MIPS |
| Temperature Range | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial | Industrial | Industrial | Industrial |
Key Differentiators
- Legacy-firmware compatibility (vs ATMEGA323-8PI)
- Larger SRAM for buffering (vs ATMEGA8515-16PI)
- Industry-best channel stock for an EOL part (vs ATMEGA162L-8PI)
Design Notes
Estimated: as an early AVR DIP part, the ATmega163 draws core current on the order of a few mA at 8 MHz plus I/O current per pin; budget the 40-pin DIP supply rail for the sum of core current and up to 20 mA per driven I/O pin. Decouple VCC and AVCC separately with 100 nF ceramics placed within 10 mm of pins 10 and 30, and connect AVCC to VCC through a low-pass RC filter if the ADC is used. Verify the exact supply-voltage range against the manufacturer datasheet, as the -8PI industrial part supports the standard 5V AVR rail.
For socketed DIP-40 designs, keep the crystal within 15 mm of XTAL1/XTAL2 (pins 13/12) with load capacitors to ground, and route the crystal traces short and away from high-current switching nets. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor directly across VCC (pin 10) and GND (pin 11) to minimize ground bounce when multiple port pins switch simultaneously. If the ADC is used, ground AREF (pin 32) via a decoupling network per the datasheet typical-application circuit and keep analog traces on Port A away from clock lines.
The most common migration pitfall is assuming register-map identity: although ATMEGA323-8PI shares the DIP-40 footprint and AVR architecture with the ATmega163, peripheral register addresses, EEPROM size, and fuse definitions differ between family members. Always recompile or at minimum re-verify firmware constants before dropping in any alternative. Also note the 'I' temperature suffix matters: the commercial -8PC is not valid below 0C. Finally, this part is EOL - design any new PCB with a migration path (e.g., ATMEGA162 footprint reuse) to avoid a forced redesign later.
Compliance Information
Compliance status for this EOL Atmel/Microchip part was not stated in the retrieved distributor data; verify against the manufacturer product page or request compliance documents from the distributor.
