ATMEGA168PA-CCUR - 8-bit AVR MCU, 16KB Flash, 20MHz | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA168PA-CCUR β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.78 | $0.78 |
| 10 | $0.74 | $7.40 |
| 100 | $0.68 | $68.00 |
| 500 | $0.62 | $310.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.58 | $580.00 |
ATMEGA168PA-CCUR Overview
An 8-bit AVR microcontroller is a single-chip integrated circuit that combines a RISC processor core, program memory, data memory, and peripherals such as timers, USART, SPI, I2C, and ADC on one die. Within the semiconductor hierarchy, it belongs to the microcontroller class of embedded processors, positioned under the broader categories of logic ICs and system-on-chip devices, and is programmed in-system through ICSP or debugWIRE.
Key differentiating features include the picoPower technology suite for ultra-low sleep-mode consumption, brown-out detection and power-on reset for supply supervision, a programmable watchdog timer, and multi-channel 10-bit ADC with PWM outputs. The advanced AVR RISC architecture executes 131 powerful instructions, most in a single clock cycle, delivering deterministic real-time performance.
Technically, the ATMEGA168PA pairs 32 general-purpose working registers directly to the ALU, achieving one-instruction-per-cycle throughput. The self-programming flash supports read-while-write firmware updates, and debugWIRE provides on-chip debugging over a single wire using only the reset line and two I/O pins, minimizing board-level debug infrastructure.
Typical applications include battery-powered portable devices, consumer electronics, sensor nodes and IoT endpoints, and low-cost industrial control boards where the compact 4x4 mm UFBGA footprint and picoPower sleep modes extend battery life while conserving PCB area.
When designing with this part, keep in mind that the fine 0.5 mm-class ball pitch of the UFBGA package requires controlled-impedance PCB fabrication and X-ray-capable assembly inspection; the trade-off for the tiny footprint is higher assembly cost than QFP alternatives.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA168PA-CCUR β 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 ATMEGA168PA-CCUR (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Working Registers, Package, Supply Voltage Range, Flash Program Memory, Instruction Set.
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Request AlternativesATMEGA168PA-CCUR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit AVR RISC |
| Flash Program Memory | 16 KB (8K x 16) |
| SRAM | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 512 B |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Maximum Throughput | 20 MIPS |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| GPIO Lines | 23 |
| Instruction Set | 131 instructions, mostly single-cycle |
| Peripherals | Brown-out detect/reset, power-on reset, PWM, watchdog timer, 10-bit ADC |
| Serial Interfaces | USART, SPI, I2C (TWI) |
| On-Chip Debug | debugWIRE |
| Low Power Technology | picoPower |
| Package | 32-UFBGA (4x4 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (R suffix) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lifecycle Stage | Active |
ATMEGA168PA-CCUR 32-ufbga (4x4 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATMEGA168PA-CCUR (32-ufbga (4x4 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 ATMEGA168PA-CCUR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATMEGA168PA-CCUR is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Portable Devices, IoT Sensor Nodes and Endpoints, Consumer Electronics Control, Low-Cost Industrial Control Boards, Debug and Prototyping Systems, Wearable and Space-Constrained Designs.
Battery-Powered Portable Devices
The ATMEGA168PA-CCUR fits battery-powered portable products because picoPower technology minimizes current draw in power-down and idle sleep modes, while the 1.8V minimum supply allows operation directly from a single alkaline or NiMH cell with a boost stage. In typical use, the MCU sleeps in power-down with watchdog enabled, wakes on a timer or external interrupt, samples sensors through the 10-bit ADC, and returns to sleep, extending battery life from months to years. The 512B EEPROM retains calibration data through battery replacement, and brown-out detection prevents corrupted flash writes during end-of-life battery discharge. The trade-off versus larger MCUs is the 1KB SRAM limit, which constrains buffering but is adequate for sensing and control loops.
Recommended
IoT Sensor Nodes and Endpoints
For IoT sensor endpoints, the ATMEGA168PA-CCUR combines sensing, control, and connectivity on one low-cost die. The 8-channel 10-bit ADC digitizes analog sensors without external converters, while the hardware SPI and I2C interfaces connect RF modules or digital sensors directly to the MCU. A typical node sleeps in power-down, wakes periodically, acquires readings over I2C, and transmits through an SPI radio, keeping average current in the microamp range thanks to picoPower sleep modes. The 32 general-purpose working registers and single-cycle execution provide responsive real-time handling of protocol timing. The 4x4 mm UFBGA package minimizes node PCB area, which directly reduces cost in high-volume deployments.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics Control
In consumer appliances and accessories, the ATMEGA168PA-CCUR serves as the main control MCU driving buttons, LEDs, motors, and user feedback. Its 23 GPIO lines and hardware PWM outputs control indicators, haptics, and small motors without external driver logic, and the 20MHz/20 MIPS throughput handles debounce, UI state machines, and communication concurrently. The power-on reset and brown-out detector guarantee clean startup and shutdown across battery sag and wall-adapter droop, improving field reliability. RoHS compliance supports global consumer-market requirements. Compared with a general TQFP part, the compact 4x4 mm UFBGA footprint lets designers shrink product enclosures, though it requires reflow-only assembly and higher PCB fabrication class.
Recommended
Low-Cost Industrial Control Boards
On industrial control boards, the ATMEGA168PA-CCUR executes deterministic control loops at up to 20 MIPS, reading analog process signals through the 10-bit ADC and driving actuators via hardware PWM. The watchdog timer recovers the system from firmware hangs, a requirement in unattended installations, while brown-out detection and power-on reset ensure predictable behavior under noisy supply conditions common on factory floors. The 1.8V to 5.5V supply range tolerates poorly regulated industrial auxiliaries, and the 512B EEPROM stores setpoints and event counters without external nonvolatile memory. For higher-memory firmware, the footprint-compatible 32KB ATMEGA328P UFBGA variant allows migration without PCB respin.
Recommended
Debug and Prototyping Systems
The ATMEGA168PA-CCUR supports debugWIRE on-chip debugging, which uses the reset line and two device I/O pins for in-circuit debugging and In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP). This makes it practical for compact prototypes where a full JTAG header is impossible. Paired with the Microchip MPLAB SNAP programmer, engineers can flash firmware, set breakpoints, and inspect memory over a High-Speed USB 2.0 connection through an 8-pin SIL header. Because the UFBGA balls cannot be probed, the PCB must expose the SPI, reset, and power signals on test pads; designing this header in from the start avoids costly rework. Firmware written for the TQFP ATMEGA168PA-AU development boards runs unchanged on the UFBGA production part.
Recommended
Wearable and Space-Constrained Designs
Wearables demand minimum PCB area and low sleep current, both strengths of the ATMEGA168PA-CCUR. The 32-ball UFBGA in 4x4 mm occupies a fraction of the area of a TQFP-32, allowing the MCU to sit beneath or beside battery cells in rings, bands, and patches. picoPower power-down modes keep average consumption within coin-cell budgets between activity bursts, and the 1.8V floor matches emerging low-voltage system rails. The internal RC oscillator removes the need for a crystal in non-timing-critical functions, saving further board area, while an external crystal can be added when UART or precise timing is required. Designers should budget for X-ray inspection during assembly of the ball-grid package.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA168PA-CCUR β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA168A-CCUR | ATMEGA168A-CCU | ATMEGA168PA-CCU | ATMEGA328PA-CCUR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 32-UFBGA (4x4 mm) | 32-UFBGA (4x4 mm) - same | 32-UFBGA (4x4 mm) - same | 32-UFBGA (4x4 mm) - same | 32-UFBGA (4x4 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB |
| SRAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 2 KB |
| Max Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| picoPower Technology | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Packaging Format | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tray | Tray | Tape & Reel |
Key Differentiators
- picoPower low-power technology (vs ATMEGA168A-CCUR)
- Tape-and-reel supply for automated assembly (vs ATMEGA168PA-CCU)
- Memory headroom path without respin (vs ATMEGA328PA-CCUR)
Design Notes
The 32-UFBGA 4x4 mm package uses a fine ball pitch that requires PCB fabrication with defined/depth-controlled via-in-pad or microvia technology and a controlled reflow profile. Design escape routing with via-in-pad on a 4-layer stack where possible, and specify X-ray inspection at the assembler since ball joints are hidden under the die. Keep the UFBGA land pattern exactly per the Microchip package drawing; do not hand-tune pad sizes without re-verifying stencil aperture design.
Bypass both VCC/AVCC pairs with 100 nF ceramic capacitors placed as close to the balls as routing allows, plus one bulk capacitor (4.7-10 uF) per supply domain. Enable the brown-out detector (BOD) at an appropriate threshold (e.g., 2.7V for 5V operation) so flash and EEPROM writes never execute during supply droop. Estimated: at 5V/16MHz active the device draws roughly 5-10 mA class current per the AVR family typical figures; verify exact figures against the datasheet current-versus-voltage tables.
debugWIRE shares the RESET pin; once debugWIRE fuse is set, ISP programming is disabled until DWEN is cleared, which can appear as a 'bricked' device to new users. Also, GPIO must not be driven while the UFBGA die is being reflowed in final test fixtures. Finally, remember that ball-out differs completely from the TQFP-32 ATMEGA168PA-AU; firmware is portable but PCB layouts are not, so never swap packages on an existing board.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance stated in the verified web data (datasheets.com listing). Other compliance attributes not stated in provided data.
