ATMEGA168PV-10MU - 8-bit AVR MCU 16KB 10MHz | Microchip
MPN: ATMEGA168PV-10MU ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.85 | $3.85 |
| 10 | $3.42 | $34.20 |
| 100 | $2.95 | $295.00 |
| 500 | $2.61 | $1,305.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.35 | $2,350.00 |
ATMEGA168PV-10MU Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a processor core, non-volatile program memory, data SRAM, EEPROM, timers, analog peripherals, and general-purpose I/O on one die. Within the semiconductor hierarchy, this device belongs to the AVR ATmega family -> 8-bit MCU -> embedded processor -> integrated circuit, targeting low-power embedded control nodes rather than high-performance computing.
Key features include the AVR enhanced RISC architecture with 133 powerful instructions, most executing in a single clock cycle; 23 general-purpose I/O lines; three flexible timer/counters with compare modes; an 8-channel 10-bit ADC; and programmable serial USART, SPI, and two-wire interface (I2C). The picoPower technology and power management modes (idle, ADC noise reduction, power-save, power-down, standby) make this P variant well suited for battery-powered designs.
The picoPower ATmega168P core executes from flash with read-while-write support, enabling in-system self-programming through the boot loader section. Operating from 1.8V to 5.5V, the device tolerates battery discharge curves without a regulator change, and the 10 MHz rating across the full supply range simplifies clock tree design in low-voltage systems.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor nodes, consumer appliance control boards, industrial sensor interfacing, and hobby/prototyping platforms compatible with Arduino-style toolchains.
When designing with this device, budget flash carefully: 16KB accommodates well-structured C code, but floating-point-heavy firmware can exhaust it quickly.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, verified drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMEGA168PV-10MU — 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 ATMEGA168PV-10MU (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Supply Voltage Range, Flash Memory, Speed.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMEGA168PA-MU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.72 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA168PB-MU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.31 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA168P-20MUR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.58 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA168A-MU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.38 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATMEGA168-20MU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →ATMEGA48PV-10MU
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA168PV-10MU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit AVR RISC |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB (8K x 16) |
| EEPROM | 512 B |
| SRAM | 1 KB |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 10 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| General Purpose I/O | 23 lines |
| Timers/Counters | 3 flexible timer/counters |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit |
| Package | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C |
| Interface | USART, SPI, 2-wire (I2C) |
| Power Technology | picoPower low power |
| Program Memory Type | FLASH (ISP, read-while-write) |
| Series | AVR ATmega168P |
| Lifecycle Status | Active (newer device ATMEGA168PA available) |
ATMEGA168PV-10MU Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PD3 (PCINT19/OC2B/INT1) — Port D bit 3, pin change interrupt, Timer2 compare B output, external interrupt 1 |
| Pin 2 | PD4 (PCINT20/XCK/T0) — Port D bit 4, pin change interrupt, USART external clock, Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 3 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 4 | VCC — Digital supply voltage |
| Pin 5 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 6 | VCC — Digital supply voltage |
| Pin 7 | PB6 (PCINT6/XTAL1/TOSC1) — Port B bit 6, crystal oscillator input or Timer oscillator |
| Pin 8 | PB7 (PCINT7/XTAL2/TOSC2) — Port B bit 7, crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 9 | PD5 (PCINT21/OC0B/T1) — Port D bit 5, Timer0 compare B output, Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 10 | PD6 (PCINT22/OC0A/AIN0) — Port D bit 6, Timer0 compare A output, analog comparator input 0 |
| Pin 11 | PD7 (PCINT23/AIN1) — Port D bit 7, analog comparator input 1 |
| Pin 12 | PB0 (PCINT0/CLKO/ICP1) — Port B bit 0, clock output, Timer1 input capture |
| Pin 13 | PB1 (PCINT1/OC1A) — Port B bit 1, Timer1 compare A output (PWM) |
| Pin 14 | PB2 (PCINT2/SS/OC1B) — Port B bit 2, SPI slave select, Timer1 compare B output |
| Pin 15 | PB3 (PCINT3/MOSI/OC2A) — Port B bit 3, SPI master output, Timer2 compare A output |
| Pin 16 | PB4 (PCINT4/MISO) — Port B bit 4, SPI master input |
| Pin 17 | PB5 (PCINT5/SCK) — Port B bit 5, SPI clock / ISP programming clock |
| Pin 18 | AVCC — ADC supply voltage |
| Pin 19 | ADC6 — Dedicated ADC input channel 6 |
| Pin 20 | AREF — Analog reference voltage for ADC |
| Pin 21 | GND — Ground (also connect exposed pad) |
| Pin 22 | ADC7 — Dedicated ADC input channel 7 |
| Pin 23 | PC0 (PCINT8/ADC0) — Port C bit 0, ADC input channel 0 |
| Pin 24 | PC1 (PCINT9/ADC1) — Port C bit 1, ADC input channel 1 |
| Pin 25 | PC2 (PCINT10/ADC2) — Port C bit 2, ADC input channel 2 |
| Pin 26 | PC3 (PCINT11/ADC3) — Port C bit 3, ADC input channel 3 |
| Pin 27 | PC4 (PCINT12/ADC4/SDA) — Port C bit 4, ADC channel 4, I2C data line |
| Pin 28 | PC5 (PCINT13/ADC5/SCL) — Port C bit 5, ADC channel 5, I2C clock line |
| Pin 29 | PC6 (PCINT14/RESET) — Reset input (active low), pin change interrupt 14 |
| Pin 30 | PD0 (PCINT16/RXD) — Port D bit 0, USART receiver input |
| Pin 31 | PD1 (PCINT17/TXD) — Port D bit 1, USART transmitter output |
| Pin 32 | PD2 (PCINT18/INT0) — Port D bit 2, external interrupt 0 |
Typical Applications
ATMEGA168PV-10MU is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes, Appliance and Consumer Control Boards, Industrial Sensor Interfacing, Prototyping and Arduino-Compatible Platforms, Handheld and Portable Instruments, LED Lighting and Dimming Control.
Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes
The ATMEGA168PV-10MU fits battery-powered sensor nodes because its picoPower technology provides multiple sleep modes (power-down, power-save, standby) and a 1.8V to 5.5V supply range that lets the MCU run directly from two AA cells or a lithium coin cell without a boost converter. In a typical node the device wakes on watchdog or external interrupt, reads an analog sensor through its 10-bit ADC, packs the sample, and transmits over USART or SPI to a radio module before returning to power-down. Using power-down between samples keeps average current far below the active-mode draw, directly extending battery life. The 16KB flash accommodates sensor compensation math and a lightweight protocol stack in a single 5x5 mm VQFN footprint.
Recommended
Appliance and Consumer Control Boards
In appliance and consumer product control boards, the ATMEGA168PV-10MU provides the right balance of code space, analog integration, and cost. The 16KB ISP flash stores button handling, display driving, and control state machines, while 512B EEPROM retains user settings and calibration through power loss. The 10-bit ADC reads temperature sensors and pot setPosition inputs directly, and three timer/counters generate PWM for fan, heater, or motor control without external components. The 1.8V to 5.5V supply range tolerates unregulated transformer supplies after rectification, and the industrial -40C to +85C rating covers unheated appliance enclosures. The 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) package keeps PCB area small for two-layer cost-optimized boards.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interfacing
For industrial sensor interfacing, the ATMEGA168PV-10MU combines the peripherals needed to bridge analog field sensors to digital systems. Its USART handles Modbus-RTU style RS-485 links through an external transceiver, the SPI port services high-speed ADCs or isolated interfaces, and the two-wire (I2C) interface reads digital environmental sensors. The 10-bit ADC with internal reference digitizes 4-20 mA derived voltages, while the industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade and 1.8V to 5.5V supply tolerance survive panel-level power fluctuations. The 16KB flash leaves headroom for linearization tables and CRC-checked protocol layers. picoPower sleep modes suit intermittently powered loop-powered installations where average current is budgeted in microamps.
Recommended
Prototyping and Arduino-Compatible Platforms
The ATMEGA168PV-10MU is fully compatible with the Arduino ecosystem toolchain because the ATmega168 family is the classic AVR target of that platform, supported by AVR-GCC, avrdude, and Microchip Studio. Engineers use it on custom carrier boards where the well-documented ATmega168 register map, boot loader examples, and vast codebase shorten software bring-up to days. ISP programming via the SPI header or a pre-loaded USART boot loader enables rapid iteration, and the 16KB flash runs the standard Arduino core with room for application logic. The 32-VQFN package suits transition from breadboard DIP prototypes (using ATmega168 DIP siblings) to production-grade surface-mount hardware without changing firmware or pin mapping.
Recommended
Handheld and Portable Instruments
Handheld and portable instruments benefit from the ATMEGA168PV-10MU's combination of low sleep current, wide supply range, and integrated analog. The device sleeps in power-down between measurements, waking on a key interrupt or RTC timer; its 10-bit ADC and internal bandgap reference read battery voltage and probe signals without an external converter, while PWM outputs drive LCD backlighting and piezo indicators efficiently. Running from a 3V lithium cell across the full 1.8V to 5.5V range avoids low-battery brownouts, and the -40C to +85C industrial rating tolerates vehicle or outdoor storage. The compact 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) exposed-pad package fits slim enclosures, with the pad doubling as a ground plane connection for ADC noise performance.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Dimming Control
In LED lighting control, the ATMEGA168PV-10MU drives dimming directly from its timer/counter PWM outputs, generating 8-bit or higher effective-resolution dimming curves for constant-current LED drivers through an optocoupler or MOSFET gate. The 16KB flash stores gamma-correction tables, DALI-like protocol handlers, and touch or button user interfaces, while the ADC monitors current sense resistors for open/short fault detection. The 1.8V to 5.5V supply range allows the controller to ride on the same rectified low-voltage rail as the LED string via a small regulator, and the -40C to +85C grade suits enclosed luminaires. Sleep modes support occupancy-sensor-triggered fixtures that must draw near-zero standby power.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMEGA168PV-10MU — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMEGA168PA-MU | ATMEGA168PB-MU | ATMEGA168P-20MUR | ATMEGA48PV-10MU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) exposed pad | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) - same | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) - same | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) - same | 32-VQFN (5x5 mm) - same |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 4 KB |
| SRAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB (PB generation) | 1 KB | 512 B |
| EEPROM | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 256 B |
| Max Clock Frequency | 10 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 10 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (picoPower) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (picoPower) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (picoPower) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (picoPower) |
| Power Technology | picoPower | picoPower (improved) | Standard picoPower class | picoPower | picoPower |
| GPIO Count | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
Key Differentiators
- picoPower sleep current at 10 MHz class price (vs ATMEGA168A-MU)
- Pin-compatible upgrade path to 32KB (vs ATMEGA328P-MU)
- Balanced memory set vs ATMEGA48PV-10MU (vs ATMEGA48PV-10MU)
Design Notes
Connect both VCC pins (4 and 6) and AVCC (pin 18) to the same supply rail, each with a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor placed within 2 mm of the pin. AVCC must never lag VCC at power-up or the ADC and port C may latch into an undefined state; a small series resistor plus shunt diode arrangement on AVCC protects the ADC rail per the datasheet. For battery designs, exploit power-down sleep and disable the digital input buffers (DIDR0) on unused ADC channels to cut leakage.
The exposed pad on the underside of the 32-VQFN must be soldered to a ground array - it is both the primary thermal path and the ADC ground reference. Use a 3x3 via pattern (approximately 0.3 mm vias) connecting the pad to the internal ground plane, and verify paste segmentation to avoid voiding during reflow. Keep the crystal (pins 7/8) traces under 10 mm with guard ground, and route ADC sensing on pins 19/22 (ADC6/ADC7) away from PWM and SPI lines to limit digital coupling into the 10-bit converter.
Fuse misconfiguration is the top field failure with this device: setting the clock source fuse for an external crystal when none is fitted leaves the part unresponsive and unable to reprogram via ISP. Always program CKOUT and clock fuses last, and keep a working high-voltage parallel programmer available for recovery. Second, PC6/RESET must not be driven high above VCC; a reset line pulled directly to a 5V rail while the MCU runs at 1.8V violates the pin limit and triggers the runaway-program-counter protection, causing erratic resets.
Estimated: at 5V, 10 MHz, and 20 mA total I/O sink/source, die power stays below roughly 100 mW plus 1.5 mV-class analog loading - far below any thermal limit for the 5x5 mm VQFN, whose exposed-pad theta_JA is typically under 100 C/W on a multilayer board. Thermal design is therefore not a constraint for this MCU unless large continuous LED or relay drive currents are sourced through port pins; keep per-pin current at or below the 20 mA class rating stated in the datasheet absolute maximum table.
Compliance Information
Mouser lists the device with GRN (green) packaging, indicating RoHS-compliant, lead-free construction. Not an automotive AEC-Q100 part - industrial/consumer grade -40C to +85C. Obtain current REACH and conflict-minerals declarations from the Microchip product page.
