Microchip Technology ATSAMA5D26A-CUR

Overview

ATSAMA5D26A-CUR from Microchip Technology is an ultra-low-power Arm Cortex-A5-based microprocessor unit (MPU) operating at up to 500 MHz, featuring dual CAN-FD controllers, 10/100 Ethernet MAC with AVB and IEEE 1588 support, LCD TFT controller (1024×768), and hardware crypto accelerators (AES-256, SHA-256, TRNG). It integrates 128 KB L2 cache configurable as SRAM, 128 KB scrambled internal SRAM, and supports DDR3L/LPDDR3 memory for industrial HMI and secure IoT gateway applications.

For engineers reviewing the ATSAMA5D26A-CUR datasheet, ATSAMA5D26A-CUR pinout, ATSAMA5D26A-CUR application, or ATSAMA5D26A-CUR equivalent, key selection considerations include its dual MCAN controllers (non-ISO CAN FD), extended industrial temperature rating (−40°C to +105°C), TrustZone-enabled secure boot, on-the-fly AES encryption for DDR/QSPI, and 12-channel 12-bit ADC with resistive touchscreen support.

Technical Context

The ATSAMA5D26A-CUR implements a dual-bus H64MX/H32MX peripheral architecture with two 16-channel XDMAC controllers, enabling zero-overhead data movement between peripherals like GMAC, USB, ISC, and SDMMC. Its security subsystem includes a dedicated Secured Advanced Interrupt Controller (SAIC), Integrity Check Monitor (ICM) with SHA-256, tamper-detection circuitry across eight PIOBU pins, and 5 KB of secure SRAM with erasable/non-erasable segments.

Power management features three software-selectable low-power modes: Idle (CPU halted, peripherals active), Ultra-Low-Power (ULP0/ULP1 with sub-1 kHz clocking and partial wake-up), and Backup mode with RTC and DDR self-refresh. The device uses a 12 MHz RC oscillator and supports external 8–24 MHz crystal or 32.768 kHz slow clock, with PLLs generating system (600–1200 MHz), USB (480 MHz), and audio (11.2896/12.288 MHz) clocks.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

ATSAMA5D26A-CUR is housed in a 289-ball Low-Profile Fine-Pitch Ball Grid Array (LFBGA) package measuring 14 mm × 14 mm with 0.8 mm ball pitch and 1.4 mm thickness. This package supports high I/O density (up to 128 programmable PIOs) and thermal performance required for sustained 500 MHz operation in industrial environments.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with ATSAMA5D27A-CUR, ATSAMA5D26A-CUR omits environmental monitors but maintains identical CAN/Ethernet/USB feature set and industrial temperature rating; versus i.MX6ULL, it delivers stronger hardware-rooted security and deterministic dual-CAN timing at lower peak frequency - making it preferable for certified industrial and medical edge devices.

Availability

ATSAMA5D26A-CUR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial HMI terminals, secure IoT gateways, and medical diagnostic devices requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and qualified extended-temperature operation.

Supply support for ATSAMA5D26A-CUR 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 is a global semiconductor company delivering microcontrollers, analog, FPGA, and security solutions with emphasis on reliability, longevity, and embedded system integration.

The SAMA5D2 product line was designed specifically for secure, ultra-low-power Linux-capable edge devices in industrial automation, healthcare, and smart infrastructure - combining Arm Cortex-A performance with hardware-enforced trust and deterministic real-time peripherals.

FAQ

What is the maximum DDR3L memory capacity supported by ATSAMA5D26A-CUR?

The ATSAMA5D26A-CUR supports up to 512 Mbytes of DDR3L memory via its 32-bit wide, high-bandwidth DDR controller. This capacity is achieved using 8-bank configurations with DLL-off operation, and includes hardware ECC and on-the-fly AES encryption/decryption for secure data handling in ATSAMA5D26A-CUR-based systems.

Does ATSAMA5D26A-CUR support ISO 16845-1:2016 CAN FD conformance testing?

No, ATSAMA5D26A-CUR implements the non-ISO CAN FD frame format and does not pass the CAN FD Conformance Test according to ISO 16845-1:2016. Its dual MCAN controllers are optimized for time-triggered and event-triggered communication in industrial networks rather than automotive ISO-compliant FD deployment.

How is secure boot implemented in ATSAMA5D26A-CUR?

ATSAMA5D26A-CUR implements secure boot using a 64-Kbyte scrambled and maskable ROM containing a secure bootloader, verified against cryptographic signatures stored in fuses. Boot flow enforces TrustZone isolation, checks image integrity via ICM, and loads only authenticated code into secure SRAM before handing control to the normal world - all enforced in hardware within ATSAMA5D26A-CUR.

What power management modes are available on ATSAMA5D26A-CUR?

ATSAMA5D26A-CUR offers three software-selectable low-power modes: Idle (CPU halted, peripherals active), Ultra-Low-Power (ULP0/ULP1 with sub-1 kHz clocking and partial wake-up), and Backup mode with RTC and DDR self-refresh. Wake-up sources include up to nine PIO pins, UART reception, and analog comparator events - enabling flexible energy optimization in ATSAMA5D26A-CUR deployments.

Which external PMICs are recommended for ATSAMA5D26A-CUR?

Microchip recommends the MCP16502AA and MCP16501A PMICs for ATSAMA5D26A-CUR. Both provide leakage-free interface support across all power modes, pin-selectable VDDIODDR (1.2V/1.35V/1.8V), and dedicated rails for VDDCORE, VDDIO, and VDDFUSE - ensuring stable, efficient, and thermally optimized operation of ATSAMA5D26A-CUR in industrial applications.