Microchip Technology ATSAMA5D26B-CN

Overview

ATSAMA5D26B-CN from Microchip Technology is an ultra-low-power Arm Cortex-A5-based microprocessor unit (MPU) operating at up to 500 MHz, integrating a 128-Kbyte configurable L2 cache, dual CAN-FD controllers, 10/100 Ethernet MAC with IEEE 1588 PTP support, and hardware crypto accelerators (AES-256, SHA-256, TRNG). It supports DDR2/DDR3L/LPDDR2/LPDDR3 memory and targets secure industrial HMI, IoT gateways, and point-of-sale terminals requiring real-time connectivity and tamper-resistant operation.

For engineers reviewing the ATSAMA5D26B-CN datasheet, ATSAMA5D26B-CN pinout, ATSAMA5D26B-CN application, or ATSAMA5D26B-CN equivalent, key selection criteria include its dual MCAN interface (non-ISO CAN FD), 128 I/Os with 8 tamper-detection pins, -40°C to +105°C extended temperature rating, TrustZone-enabled secure boot, and Linux-ready peripheral set including LCDC, ISC, and dual QSPI.

Technical Context

The ATSAMA5D26B-CN implements an Armv7-A architecture Cortex-A5 core with NEON SIMD engine and floating-point unit, paired with a multilayer bus matrix supporting concurrent high-bandwidth transfers across DDR, QSPI, NAND, and peripheral domains. Its security subsystem includes Arm TrustZone, 5-Kbyte scrambled SRAM with tamper erasure, Integrity Check Monitor (ICM), and on-the-fly AES encryption for DDR/QSPI memories.

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 integrates two MCAN controllers with SRAM-based mailboxes, time-triggered transmission, and IEEE 802.1AS timestamping - all validated for extended industrial temperature operation (-40°C to +105°C).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

ATSAMA5D26B-CN 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, optimized for thermal performance and high-density PCB layouts in industrial and embedded applications.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar high-performance, secure MPU applications.

Compared with ATSAMA5D26B-CN, ATSAMA5D27B-CN adds production-ready touch and environmental sensing capabilities, while i.MX6ULL trades security depth and industrial robustness for higher raw CPU throughput and broader ecosystem tooling - making ATSAMA5D26B-CN optimal for certified secure industrial endpoints.

Availability

ATSAMA5D26B-CN is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial HMI, secure IoT gateways, and point-of-sale terminals requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and guaranteed extended temperature availability.

Supply support for ATSAMA5D26B-CN 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 smart, connected, and secure embedded control solutions with emphasis on reliability, longevity, and trust.

The SAMA5D2 product line was designed specifically for secure, ultra-low-power industrial and IoT edge applications demanding Arm Cortex-A performance with hardware-enforced safety, cryptography, and extended temperature resilience - embodied in the ATSAMA5D26B-CN.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the ATSAMA5D26B-CN?

The ATSAMA5D26B-CN operates at up to 500 MHz on its Arm Cortex-A5 core. This frequency is sustained under typical conditions with appropriate thermal management and voltage regulation. The device also includes a 128-Kbyte configurable L2 cache and 32-Kbyte L1 instruction/data caches to maintain performance efficiency at this clock rate. ATSAMA5D26B-CN's system bus runs up to 166 MHz, and its DDR controller supports high-bandwidth memory access independent of CPU frequency scaling.

Does the ATSAMA5D26B-CN support CAN FD, and what are its limitations?

Yes, the ATSAMA5D26B-CN integrates two MCAN controllers supporting CAN FD with SRAM-based mailboxes and time/event-triggered transmission. However, it implements the non-ISO CAN FD frame format and does not pass the ISO 16845-1:2016 CAN FD Conformance Test. ATSAMA5D26B-CN is suitable for proprietary or vendor-specific CAN FD networks but may require protocol adaptation for strict ISO-compliant deployments.

What security features are implemented in hardware on the ATSAMA5D26B-CN?

The ATSAMA5D26B-CN includes hardware-based security features: Arm TrustZone for secure world isolation, 5-Kbyte scrambled SRAM with tamper-erasure (1 KB nonerasable, 4 KB erasable), Integrity Check Monitor (ICM) using SHA-256, on-the-fly AES-128/192/256 encryption for DDR/QSPI, secure bootloader, and eight dedicated tamper detection pins (PIOBU0–PIOBU7). ATSAMA5D26B-CN also supports FIPS PUB 140-2/140-3 compliant TRNG and SHA/AES engines.

Which memory types does the ATSAMA5D26B-CN support, and what is the maximum capacity?

The ATSAMA5D26B-CN supports DDR2, DDR3L, LPDDR1, LPDDR2, and LPDDR3 memory via its 32-bit DDR controller, with maximum addressable capacity of 512 Mbytes across 8 banks. It also supports QSPI flash (single/dual/quad mode), e.MMC 4.51 (SDMMC0), SD 3.0, and 8-bit SLC/MLC NAND with up to 32-bit BCH ECC. ATSAMA5D26B-CN's memory controller includes hardware scrambling and on-the-fly AES decryption for secure code execution from external memory.

Is the ATSAMA5D26B-CN qualified for extended industrial temperature operation?

Yes, the ATSAMA5D26B-CN is qualified for extended industrial temperature operation from -40°C to +105°C ambient. This rating applies to the full feature set including dual MCAN, Ethernet, DDR interface, and security peripherals. The device includes internal temperature and voltage monitors, crystal oscillator failure detection, and IEC 60730 Class B–compliant safety features - all validated across the full temperature range. ATSAMA5D26B-CN's LFBGA package and thermal design ensure reliable operation in harsh environments.