ATMEGA164P-A15MZ - 16KB AVR MCU 16MHz 44-VQFN | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA164P-A15MZ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.47 | $2.47 |
| 10 | $2.22 | $22.20 |
| 100 | $1.98 | $198.00 |
| 500 | $1.78 | $890.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.58 | $1,580.00 |
ATMEGA164P-A15MZ Overview
An AVR microcontroller is a single-chip computer built on a modified Harvard RISC architecture that executes most instructions in a single clock cycle. Within the semiconductor taxonomy, the ATmega164P sits at the intersection of the microcontroller, embedded processor, and integrated circuit families: it integrates CPU, non-volatile program memory, data memory, timers, serial interfaces, and analog peripherals on one die, eliminating the external memory bus and glue logic required by a microprocessor-based design.
Key features include 16 KB ISP Flash with read-while-write capability, 512 B EEPROM for parameter storage, 1 KB internal SRAM, 32 general-purpose I/O lines, 32 general-purpose working registers, and a real-time counter with a separate oscillator. Three flexible timer/counters with compare modes and PWM, two USARTs, a byte-oriented Two-Wire serial interface, and an 8-channel 10-bit ADC cover the majority of embedded control requirements without external support chips.
The device is built on Microchip picoPower technology, which combines multiple sleep modes, a 32 kHz real-time counter, and an on-chip calibrated oscillator to minimize active and standby current. The A15 speed grade is specified for 16 MHz operation across the full automotive temperature range, and the -A15MZ ordering code denotes the automotive-qualified QFN EP (exposed pad) package supplied in tape and reel.
Typical applications include automotive body control modules, industrial motor and process control, home appliance control boards, battery-powered instrumentation, and consumer embedded systems. The 44-pin QFN footprint with exposed pad provides a compact, thermally enhanced land pattern for space-constrained control boards.
When designing with this device, decouple every VCC pin with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within a few millimeters of the pin, and connect the exposed pad to a solid ground plane for both electrical reference and heat spreading. The AVR505 and AVR527 migration application notes document the pin and code compatibility path from earlier ATmega16/32 devices.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers a single reference for selection, cross-reference, and layout decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA164P-A15MZ — 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 ATMEGA164P-A15MZ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Flash Memory, EEPROM, SRAM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA324P-A15MZ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA644P-A15MZ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA164P-20MUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA164P-20MQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.96 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA164P-20MUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA164P-15MT1
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA164P-A15MZ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit AVR RISC |
| Program Memory Size | 16 KB (8K x 16) In-System Programmable Flash |
| EEPROM | 512 B |
| SRAM | 1 KB |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 16 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.7 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C |
| Package | 44-pin VQFN (7x7 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| General Purpose I/O Lines | 32 |
| General Purpose Working Registers | 32 |
| Timers/Counters | 3 flexible timer/counters with compare modes and PWM |
| Serial Interfaces | 2x USART, byte-oriented Two-Wire serial interface, SPI |
| ADC | 8-channel, 10-bit successive approximation |
| Real-Time Counter | Yes, with separate on-chip oscillator |
| Instruction Set | 133 powerful instructions, most single clock cycle execution |
| Speed Grade | A15 (16 MHz automotive grade) |
| Power Technology | Microchip picoPower |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lifecycle Stage | Active |
ATMEGA164P-A15MZ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PB0 — Port B, bit 0 (also T0/XCK0) |
| Pin 2 | PB1 — Port B, bit 1 (also T1/CLKO) |
| Pin 3 | PB2 — Port B, bit 2 (also INT2/AIN0) |
| Pin 4 | PB3 — Port B, bit 3 (also OC0/AIN1) |
| Pin 5 | PB4 — Port B, bit 4 (also SS) |
| Pin 6 | PB5 — Port B, bit 5 (also MOSI) |
| Pin 7 | PB6 — Port B, bit 6 (also MISO) |
| Pin 8 | PB7 — Port B, bit 7 (also SCK) |
| Pin 9 | RESET — Reset input, active low |
| Pin 10 | VCC — Digital supply voltage |
| Pin 11 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 12 | XTAL2 — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 13 | XTAL1 — Crystal oscillator input / external clock |
| Pin 14 | PD0 — Port D, bit 0 (also RXD0) |
| Pin 15 | PD1 — Port D, bit 1 (also TXD0) |
| Pin 16 | PD2 — Port D, bit 2 (also RXD1) |
| Pin 17 | PD3 — Port D, bit 3 (also TXD1) |
| Pin 18 | PD4 — Port D, bit 4 (also OC1B) |
| Pin 19 | PD5 — Port D, bit 5 (also OC1A) |
| Pin 20 | PD6 — Port D, bit 6 (also OC2B) |
| Pin 21 | PD7 — Port D, bit 7 (also OC2A) |
| Pin 22 | PC0 — Port C, bit 0 (also SCL) |
| Pin 23 | PC1 — Port C, bit 1 (also SDA) |
| Pin 24 | PC2 — Port C, bit 2 (also TCK) |
| Pin 25 | PC3 — Port C, bit 3 (also TMS) |
| Pin 26 | PC4 — Port C, bit 4 (also TDO) |
| Pin 27 | PC5 — Port C, bit 5 (also TDI) |
| Pin 28 | PC6 — Port C, bit 6 (also TOSC1) |
| Pin 29 | PC7 — Port C, bit 7 (also TOSC2) |
| Pin 30 | AVCC — Analog supply voltage for ADC |
| Pin 31 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 32 | AREF — Analog reference voltage for ADC |
| Pin 33 | PA7 — Port A, bit 7 (also ADC7) |
| Pin 34 | PA6 — Port A, bit 6 (also ADC6) |
| Pin 35 | PA5 — Port A, bit 5 (also ADC5) |
| Pin 36 | PA4 — Port A, bit 4 (also ADC4) |
| Pin 37 | PA3 — Port A, bit 3 (also ADC3) |
| Pin 38 | PA2 — Port A, bit 2 (also ADC2) |
| Pin 39 | PA1 — Port A, bit 1 (also ADC1) |
| Pin 40 | PA0 — Port A, bit 0 (also ADC0) |
| Pin 41 | VCC — Digital supply voltage |
| Pin 42 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 43 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 44 | GND — Ground |
Typical Applications
ATMEGA164P-A15MZ is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Body Control Module, Industrial Motor and Process Control, Home Appliance Control Board, Battery-Powered Instrumentation, Consumer Embedded Systems, Sensor Interface Node.
Automotive Body Control Module
The ATMEGA164P-A15MZ fits automotive body control modules because its -40 C to +125 C A15 automotive temperature grade and 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply range match the electrical environment of a 12 V vehicle bus after regulation. Its 32 general-purpose I/O lines drive relays, lamps, and switch inputs directly, while the 8-channel 10-bit ADC reads potentiometers, temperature sensors, and battery voltage dividers without external signal conditioning. Two USARTs provide LIN or CAN-controller links, and three timer/counters generate the PWM used for dimming and small actuator drive. The 44-pin VQFN with exposed pad spreads heat into the PCB ground plane, which matters in a sealed module where ambient can reach +105 C. Firmware can be migrated from earlier ATmega16/32 designs using Microchip application note AVR505.
Recommended
Industrial Motor and Process Control
In industrial motor and process control, the ATMEGA164P-A15MZ provides the deterministic single-cycle execution of the AVR RISC core at 16 MHz, giving roughly 16 MIPS for closed-loop control loops. Three flexible timer/counters with compare modes and PWM generate the gate-drive waveforms for small three-phase or brushed DC motor stages, while the 8-channel 10-bit ADC samples current shunts and position feedback. The byte-oriented Two-Wire serial interface connects to EEPROM, I/O expanders, or sensor hubs, and the two USARTs handle Modbus or proprietary fieldbus links. The 512 B EEPROM stores calibration constants and run-hour counters without an external memory device. The extended -40 C to +125 C rating allows the same board design to be used in both cabinet-mounted and near-motor locations.
Recommended
Home Appliance Control Board
The ATMEGA164P-A15MZ suits home appliance control boards because it integrates the complete control function - 16 KB Flash for the application, 512 B EEPROM for user settings, 1 KB SRAM for runtime state, 32 I/O lines for buttons, LEDs, and relays, and an 8-channel 10-bit ADC for thermistor and level sensing - in a single 44-pin QFN. Microchip picoPower technology and multiple sleep modes keep standby current low enough to meet appliance energy regulations, and the real-time counter with its separate oscillator maintains timekeeping during sleep. Three timer/counters with PWM drive buzzer tones and motor speed control. The 2.7 V to 5.5 V range allows direct operation from a regulated 3.3 V or 5 V rail, and the QFN exposed pad simplifies thermal management in a sealed appliance enclosure.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Instrumentation
For battery-powered instrumentation, the ATMEGA164P-A15MZ combines a 2.7 V to 5.5 V operating range with Microchip picoPower sleep modes, allowing direct operation from a single Li-ion cell or a 3-cell alkaline pack without a boost converter. The 8-channel 10-bit ADC digitizes sensor bridge outputs, and the 512 B EEPROM retains calibration coefficients across battery changes. The real-time counter with a separate 32 kHz oscillator keeps time while the CPU sleeps, waking periodically to sample and log data. Two USARTs and the Two-Wire serial interface support optional wireless modules or external data-logging memory. At 16 MHz the core executes most instructions in one clock cycle, so measurement and filtering routines complete quickly and the device returns to sleep, extending battery life in portable field instruments.
Recommended
Consumer Embedded Systems
The ATMEGA164P-A15MZ serves consumer embedded systems that need a proven, well-documented 8-bit MCU with a broad peripheral set. Its 32 general-purpose I/O lines and 32 working registers support keypad scanning, LED matrix drive, and rotary encoder decoding, while three timer/counters with PWM handle backlight dimming and audio tone generation. The 8-channel 10-bit ADC reads touch pads, battery level, and ambient light sensors. Two USARTs allow firmware updates and debug logging, and the byte-oriented Two-Wire serial interface connects to small OLED or character displays. The 44-pin VQFN (7x7 mm) package keeps the board compact, and the 16 KB Flash / 1 KB SRAM combination is sufficient for typical consumer firmware stacks. The AVR instruction set and toolchain are widely supported, shortening development time.
Recommended
Sensor Interface Node
As a sensor interface node, the ATMEGA164P-A15MZ pairs an 8-channel 10-bit ADC with two USARTs and a byte-oriented Two-Wire serial interface, allowing it to acquire analog sensor data and forward it over a wired or wireless link. The 16 KB Flash holds the sampling, filtering, and protocol firmware, while 512 B EEPROM stores sensor calibration coefficients and node addresses. Three timer/counters provide precise sampling intervals and PWM excitation for resistive sensors. The -40 C to +125 C A15 rating allows the node to be mounted close to the process rather than in a conditioned cabinet, reducing cable length and noise pickup. The 44-pin VQFN with exposed pad provides a compact footprint for densely packed sensor boards, and the 2.7 V to 5.5 V range accommodates both 3.3 V and 5 V sensor front ends.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA164P-A15MZ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA324P-A15MZ | ATMEGA644P-A15MZ | ATMEGA164P-20MU | ATMEGA164P-15MT1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-pin VQFN (7x7 mm) | 44-pin VQFN (7x7 mm) - same | 44-pin VQFN (7x7 mm) - same | 44-pin VQFN (7x7 mm) - same | 44-pin VQFN (7x7 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 32 KB | 64 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB |
| SRAM | 1 KB | 2 KB | 4 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 512 B | 1 KB | 2 KB | 512 B | 512 B |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 20 MHz | 16 MHz |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.7 V to 5.5 V | 2.7 V to 5.5 V | 2.7 V to 5.5 V | 2.7 V to 5.5 V | 2.7 V to 5.5 V |
| General Purpose I/O Lines | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| ADC Channels / Resolution | 8-channel, 10-bit | 8-channel, 10-bit | 8-channel, 10-bit | 8-channel, 10-bit | 8-channel, 10-bit |
| Serial Interfaces | 2x USART, Two-Wire, SPI | 2x USART, Two-Wire, SPI | 2x USART, Two-Wire, SPI | 2x USART, Two-Wire, SPI | 2x USART, Two-Wire, SPI |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tray | Tape & Reel |
Key Differentiators
- Automotive A15 temperature grade in a QFN package (vs ATMEGA164P-20MU)
- Pin-compatible memory upgrade path (vs ATMEGA324P-A15MZ)
- Lower cost for memory-constrained designs (vs ATMEGA644P-A15MZ)
- Integrated analog and serial peripherals reduce external component count (vs ATMEGA164P-15MT1)
Design Notes
Decouple every VCC pin (pins 10 and 41) and the AVCC pin (pin 30) with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within a few millimeters of the pin, and add a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the regulator output. AVCC should be connected to VCC through a low-pass filter (10 uH inductor or ferrite bead plus 100 nF) when the ADC is used, and AREF should be decoupled with 100 nF to ground. Keep the analog ground return separate from the digital return and join them at a single point under the device to avoid injecting digital switching noise into ADC measurements.
Estimated: the 44-pin VQFN (7x7 mm) package uses the exposed pad as its primary heat path, so the pad must be soldered to a ground plane with a via array. At 5.5 V and 16 MHz the device draws on the order of 10-15 mA, giving roughly 80 mW dissipation, which produces only a few degrees of junction rise even with a modest copper area. The thermal design constraint is therefore the +125 C ambient limit of the A15 grade rather than self-heating; verify that nearby power components do not raise the local board temperature above that limit.
Route the crystal between XTAL1 (pin 13) and XTAL2 (pin 12) with the shortest possible traces, keep the load capacitors within 5 mm of the pins, and place a solid ground guard ring around the oscillator loop. Do not route high-speed digital signals or switching regulator nodes under the crystal. For the QFN land pattern, use the manufacturer-recommended stencil aperture and via-in-pad or via-adjacent thermal reliefs on the exposed pad to prevent solder wicking and voiding during reflow.
The RESET pin (pin 9) is active low and must not be left floating; add a 10 kOhm pull-up to VCC and a 100 nF capacitor to ground for reliable power-on reset, and keep the trace short to avoid noise-induced resets in electrically noisy environments. When migrating firmware from ATmega16/32 designs, review Microchip application note AVR505, which documents differences in the low-frequency crystal oscillator driver strength and the resulting crystal load capacitance and ESR requirements.
Compliance Information
The A15 ordering code denotes the automotive speed grade with a -40 C to +125 C operating range, consistent with AEC-Q100 qualification. RoHS compliance is stated on distributor listings. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals status were not present in the retrieved data and are marked unknown.
