Microchip Technology AT97SC3204-U2MA-20

Overview

AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 from Microchip Technology (formerly Atmel) is a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) IC compliant with TCG TPM 1.2 and PC Client TIS 1.2 specifications. It integrates an AVR RISC microprocessor, hardware RSA crypto engine (2048-bit signature in 200ms), FIPS 140-2–compliant RNG, 3.3V supply, and 33MHz LPC interface for secure boot and platform authentication in PCs and embedded systems.

For engineers reviewing the AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 datasheet, AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 pinout, AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 application, or AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 equivalent, key selection criteria include LPC bus timing compliance, industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C), 40-pin QFN package, NV storage capacity (1756 bytes), and hardware-based key generation security assurance.

Technical Context

The AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 implements a dedicated TCG-compliant security subsystem using an on-chip AVR CPU, EEPROM-resident firmware, and isolated cryptographic accelerators. Its LPC interface supports SIRQ and CLKRUN# for interrupt signaling and dynamic clock gating in power-constrained platforms.

It features internal physical security circuitry, dynamic key cache management without host intervention, and a hardware RNG used for both TCG protocol functions and system-level random number generation - all operating within a single-die architecture with no external memory dependencies.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 is packaged in a 40-pad QFN (6.0 mm × 6.0 mm, 0.50 mm pitch, 0.9 mm height) per JEDEC MO-220 WJJD-2, with exposed thermal pad. Pinout matches the 40ML1 variant defined in Atmel-5295ES.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar TPM security applications.

Compared with SLB9670 and NPCT750A, AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 uniquely delivers industrial-grade operation, full 1756-byte NV storage, and proven integration with legacy BIOS-based TPM 1.2 ecosystems - making it optimal for long-lifecycle embedded and industrial PC designs requiring field reliability over 10+ years.

Availability

AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for secure boot authentication, platform integrity attestation, and hardware-bound credential storage requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Microchip Technology acquired Atmel in 2016 and maintains its security IC portfolio, including TPM solutions designed for hardware-rooted trust in computing platforms.

The AT97SC3204 product line delivers certified, single-chip TPM 1.2 modules targeting PC OEMs, industrial system integrators, and embedded security developers needing drop-in, standards-compliant hardware trust anchors.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 in a computing platform?

The AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 serves as a hardware-rooted trust anchor implementing the TCG TPM 1.2 specification. It provides cryptographic key generation, secure storage, platform measurement, and attestation services - enabling secure boot, disk encryption binding, and remote integrity verification. Its integrated AVR CPU, RSA engine, and FIPS 140-2 RNG operate independently of the host system to ensure tamper-resistant security functionality in the AT97SC3204-U2MA-20.

Does the AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 support both commercial and industrial temperature ranges?

Yes, the AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 is qualified for industrial operation from -40°C to +85°C, as confirmed in the Atmel ordering documentation and summary datasheet. This makes it suitable for deployment in harsh environments such as factory automation, transportation systems, and outdoor kiosks - unlike commercial-grade variants limited to 0°C–70°C. The AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 part number specifically denotes this industrial temperature grade.

What package type is used for the AT97SC3204-U2MA-20?

The AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 uses a 40-pad Very-thin Quad Flat No Lead (VQFN) package, designated 40ML1, with 6.0 mm × 6.0 mm body size, 0.50 mm pitch, and 0.9 mm maximum height. This package is documented in the Atmel-5295ES datasheet summary and aligns with JEDEC MO-220 WJJD-2. The AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 does not use the 28-pin TSSOP variant.

How does the AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 handle cryptographic key storage and management?

The AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 stores RSA private keys in internal EEPROM with hardware-enforced access controls, supporting up to 1756 bytes of user-defined NV data. Key cache management is fully autonomous - the device handles loading, flushing, and caching per TCG commands like TPM_FlushSpecific without host OS or driver involvement. This design ensures keys never leave the AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 boundary and remain protected against software extraction.

Is the AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 compatible with standard PC motherboard LPC interfaces?

Yes, the AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 implements the TCG PC Client TIS 1.2 specification over a 33MHz LPC bus, supporting all required signals: LAD[0:3], LFRAME#, LCLK, SERIRQ, CLKRUN#, and LPCPD#. Its pinout and timing behavior are validated for interoperability with Intel and AMD chipset LPC controllers - enabling direct integration into standard PC motherboard designs without protocol translation or bridge ICs. The AT97SC3204-U2MA-20 requires no firmware adaptation for basic TIS 1.2 compliance.