Microchip Technology ATSAMA5D26B-CNR

Overview

ATSAMA5D26B-CNR from Microchip Technology is an ultra-low-power Arm® Cortex®-A5 microprocessor unit (MPU) operating at up to 500 MHz, integrating a 128-Kbyte configurable L2 cache, 12-channel 12-bit ADC with resistive touchscreen support, dual CAN-FD controllers, and 10/100 Ethernet MAC with IEEE 802.1AS timestamping - deployed in industrial HMIs, secure IoT gateways, and point-of-sale terminals requiring real-time connectivity and cryptographic acceleration.

For engineers reviewing the ATSAMA5D26B-CNR datasheet, ATSAMA5D26B-CNR pinout, ATSAMA5D26B-CNR application, or ATSAMA5D26B-CNR equivalent, this page delivers verified technical context, validated package mapping (289-ball LFBGA), confirmed security features (TrustZone®, AESB, tamper detection), and precise peripheral configuration for SAMA5D26-series design-in.

Technical Context

The ATSAMA5D26B-CNR implements a full Armv7-A architecture with MMU, NEON SIMD engine, and floating-point unit (FPU), enabling Linux® execution and high-precision signal processing. Its multilayer bus architecture supports concurrent DDR3L/LPDDR3 access and dedicated DMA channels for LCD, ISC, and USB without CPU overhead.

Security is enforced via hardware-isolated TrustZone® memory regions, on-the-fly AES encryption/decryption of DDR and QSPI memories (AESB), and a dedicated Integrity Check Monitor (ICM) using SHA256 to detect runtime memory tampering - all backed by 5 Kbytes of scrambled SRAM with tamper-erasable segments and eight configurable tamper pins.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

ATSAMA5D26B-CNR 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-density routing 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 high-security, low-power MPU applications.

Compared with ATSAMA5D26B-CNR, ATSAMA5D27B-CNR reduces package size and tamper capability but lowers BOM cost, while ATSAMA5D28B-CNR extends security with die-level environmental sensing - making ATSAMA5D26B-CNR the balanced choice for industrial gateways needing dual CAN-FD, full tamper pin count, and compact LFBGA without die-shield overhead.

Availability

ATSAMA5D26B-CNR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial HMIs, secure IoT gateways, and point-of-sale terminals requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for ATSAMA5D26B-CNR 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 Inc. is a leading provider of microcontrollers, analog components, and Flash-IP solutions, delivering secure, low-power semiconductor products for industrial, automotive, and IoT markets.

The SAMA5D2 product line was engineered for secure, ultra-low-power embedded applications demanding Linux-capable processing, hardware-accelerated cryptography, and industrial-grade reliability - targeting POS, medical edge devices, and smart infrastructure.

FAQ

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

The ATSAMA5D26B-CNR operates at up to 500 MHz on its Arm Cortex-A5 core. This frequency is achievable under typical conditions with appropriate power rail regulation (e.g., VDDCORE at 1.25 V) and thermal management. The device also supports dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) through its Power Management Controller (PMC) to optimize power consumption during variable workload scenarios. ATSAMA5D26B-CNR maintains timing compliance across its full industrial temperature range (−40°C to +105°C).

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

Yes, the ATSAMA5D26B-CNR integrates two MCAN controllers supporting CAN FD frame formats, including bit-rate switching and payloads up to 64 bytes. However, Microchip explicitly states that MCAN implements the non-ISO CAN FD frame format and does not pass the ISO 16845-1:2016 conformance test. ATSAMA5D26B-CNR is intended for proprietary or vendor-specific CAN FD networks where ISO compliance is not mandated, such as internal industrial subsystems or custom vehicle ECUs.

Which memory types are supported by the ATSAMA5D26B-CNR's external memory controller?

The ATSAMA5D26B-CNR supports DDR2, DDR3, DDR3L, LPDDR1, LPDDR2, and LPDDR3 via its 32-bit multiport DDR controller, with capacity up to 512 Mbytes. It also supports QSPI flash (single/dual/quad mode), e.MMC 4.51 (8-bit SDMMC0), SD 3.0, and 8-bit/16-bit SLC/MLC NAND with up to 32-bit BCH ECC. ATSAMA5D26B-CNR's DDR controller includes hardware AESB for on-the-fly encryption/decryption of DDR and QSPI memory traffic.

How does the ATSAMA5D26B-CNR implement hardware security for secure boot?

The ATSAMA5D26B-CNR enforces secure boot via a hardened 64-Kbyte scrambled ROM containing a secure bootloader, programmable fuse box (544 bits) for JTAG disable and BMS lock, and integrity verification using the Integrity Check Monitor (ICM) with SHA256. Boot flow validates signature and hash of first-stage software before execution. ATSAMA5D26B-CNR also provides 5 Kbytes of tamper-responsive scrambled SRAM - 1 Kbyte non-erasable and 4 Kbytes erasable upon intrusion detection - ensuring root-of-trust persistence.

What low-power modes are available on the ATSAMA5D26B-CNR, and which peripherals remain active in Backup mode?

The ATSAMA5D26B-CNR offers Idle, Ultra-Low-Power (ULP0/ULP1), and Backup modes. In Backup mode, the RTC, wake-up logic, and PIOBU tamper/wake pins remain powered; DDR can be held in Self-Refresh. The 32-kHz oscillator, backup regulator (VDDBU), and selected wakeup sources (e.g., RXLP UART, ACC comparator) stay functional. ATSAMA5D26B-CNR achieves sub-100 µA quiescent current in this state while retaining full timekeeping and asynchronous event detection capability.