ATMEGA168-15AT

Product Overview

The ATMEGA168-15AT is a high-performance, low-power 8-bit AVR RISC-based microcontroller from Microchip Technology's renowned ATmega series. Designed specifically for automotive applications, this MCU combines 16KB of in-system programmable Flash memory with advanced RISC architecture, delivering exceptional performance at 16MHz while maintaining ultra-low power consumption. Built on Atmel's proven AVR enhanced RISC architecture, this microcontroller executes powerful instructions in a single clock cycle, achieving throughputs approaching 1 MIPS per MHz, allowing the system designer to optimize power consumption versus processing speed.

Key Features & Benefits

• Automotive-Grade Reliability: AEC-Q100 qualified for demanding automotive environments, operating reliably from -40°C to 85°C. This qualification ensures the component meets stringent automotive quality and reliability standards, making it suitable for safety-critical applications in harsh vehicular conditions including extreme temperatures, vibration, and electromagnetic interference.
• Rich Peripheral Set: Integrated I2C, SPI, and UART/USART connectivity options enable seamless communication with sensors, displays, actuators, and other devices. The dual-mode USART supports both synchronous and asynchronous operation, while the master/slave SPI serial interface provides high-speed data transfer capabilities.
• Flexible I/O Configuration: 23 programmable I/O pins provide extensive interfacing capabilities for complex embedded designs. Each pin can be configured with internal pull-up resistors and can source/sink sufficient current to drive LEDs directly, reducing external component count.
• Advanced Power Management: Brown-out detection, power-on reset, programmable watchdog timer, and multiple sleep modes (Idle, ADC Noise Reduction, Power-save, Power-down, and Standby) optimize power efficiency. In Power-down mode, the device consumes less than 1µA, extending battery life in portable applications.
• Precision Analog Capabilities: 8-channel 10-bit ADC with programmable gain stage enables accurate sensor readings and analog signal processing. The ADC features a sample-and-hold circuit, differential input capability, and an internal temperature sensor for thermal monitoring.
• Wide Operating Voltage: 2.7V to 5.5V supply range offers design flexibility across various power architectures, from battery-powered systems to industrial 5V logic levels, eliminating the need for level shifters in many applications.
• Compact Surface Mount Package: 32-TQFP (7x7mm) footprint ideal for space-constrained PCB layouts while maintaining excellent thermal characteristics and ease of automated assembly.
• In-System Programmability: On-chip bootloader support enables firmware updates without removing the device from the circuit, facilitating field upgrades and reducing maintenance costs.

This microcontroller features 16KB of Flash program memory (8K x 16) organized as 8,192 words of 16 bits each, providing ample space for complex application code. The Flash memory endures a minimum of 10,000 write/erase cycles, ensuring long-term reliability for applications requiring frequent firmware updates. The 512 bytes of EEPROM provide non-volatile data storage for calibration parameters, user settings, and data logging, with a minimum endurance of 100,000 write/erase cycles. The 1KB of SRAM serves as runtime memory for variables, stack operations, and dynamic data structures.

The internal RC oscillator eliminates the need for external crystal components, reducing BOM costs and board space while providing calibrated frequencies up to 8MHz. For applications requiring precise timing, the device supports external crystal oscillators up to 16MHz. Three flexible timer/counter units (two 8-bit and one 16-bit) with separate prescalers and compare modes enable PWM generation, precise timing, and event counting. Six PWM channels support motor control, LED dimming, and analog output generation with programmable frequency and duty cycle.

Ideal Applications

Perfect for automotive control systems including engine management units (ECUs), body control modules (BCMs), dashboard controllers, climate control systems, lighting controllers, and sensor interface modules. The automotive qualification makes it particularly suitable for safety-critical applications such as anti-lock braking systems (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and airbag deployment systems.

Beyond automotive, this MCU excels in industrial automation for programmable logic controllers (PLCs), motor drives, sensor networks, and human-machine interfaces (HMIs). Consumer electronics applications include smart home devices, IoT edge nodes, wearable technology, and battery-powered instruments. The robust operating temperature range and low power consumption make it ideal for outdoor environmental monitoring stations, agricultural sensors, and remote telemetry systems.

Design Considerations & Integration Tips

Power Supply Design: Implement proper decoupling with 100nF ceramic capacitors placed close to each VCC pin, plus a 10µF bulk capacitor for the overall supply. For noise-sensitive analog applications, use separate analog and digital ground planes connected at a single point, and add LC filtering on the AVCC pin.

Clock Configuration: While the internal RC oscillator is convenient, consider an external crystal for applications requiring precise timing (UART communication, real-time clocks). Place the crystal and load capacitors (typically 22pF) as close as possible to the XTAL pins with short, direct traces to minimize parasitic capacitance and EMI.

Programming Interface: Reserve the SPI pins (MOSI, MISO, SCK) and RESET for in-system programming (ISP). Include a 6-pin ISP header on your PCB for development and production programming. Add a 10kΩ pull-up resistor on the RESET line to prevent spurious resets from noise.

I/O Protection: For automotive and industrial applications, add series resistors (100Ω-1kΩ) on I/O pins exposed to external connections to limit current during ESD events. Consider TVS diodes on communication lines and power inputs for additional protection against voltage transients.

Thermal Management: Although the TQFP package offers good thermal performance, ensure adequate copper area on the PCB for heat dissipation in high-ambient-temperature applications. The thermal pad can be connected to ground plane for improved heat sinking.

Development & Programming

The ATMEGA168-15AT is fully supported by Microchip's AVR Studio and MPLAB X IDE development environments, offering comprehensive debugging capabilities through the integrated debugWIRE interface. The extensive AVR-GCC toolchain provides optimized C/C++ compilation, while Arduino compatibility enables rapid prototyping using the familiar Arduino IDE and vast library ecosystem. Numerous code examples, application notes, and reference designs are available to accelerate your development cycle.

Quality & Compliance

RoHS compliant and manufactured to the highest quality standards by Microchip Technology, a global leader in microcontroller and analog semiconductor solutions. Each unit undergoes rigorous testing to meet AEC-Q100 automotive qualification standards, including high-temperature operating life (HTOL), temperature cycling, and humidity testing. Supplied in professional Tape & Reel packaging for automated pick-and-place assembly, ensuring consistent quality and ease of manufacturing integration. Full traceability and lot tracking available for automotive and aerospace applications requiring documentation.

Why Choose HQICKEY?

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• ATMEGA168-15AT.pdf