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Microchip Technology ATSAMR21E17A-MU
- Part No.:
- ATSAMR21E17A-MU
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Category:
- RF Transceiver ICs
- Package:
- 32-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
ATSAMR21E17A-MU.pdf
- Description:
- IC RF TXRX+MCU ISM>1GHZ 32QFN
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
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Product details
Overview
ATSAMR21E17A-MU from Microchip Technology (formerly Atmel) is a 32-pin QFN ARM Cortex-M0+ microcontroller with integrated 2.4GHz ISM band transceiver, 128KB Flash, 16KB SRAM, and operating voltage of 1.8–3.6V. It delivers 2.46 CoreMark/MHz performance at 48MHz and supports SleepWalking peripherals for ultra-low-power wireless sensor node operation in industrial monitoring systems.
For engineers reviewing the ATSAMR21E17A-MU datasheet, ATSAMR21E17A-MU pinout, ATSAMR21E17A-MU application, or ATSAMR21E17A-MU equivalent, key selection criteria include its integrated AT86RF233 radio interface, SERCOM-configurable USART/I²C/SPI, 4-channel 12-bit ADC with oversampling, and RF pin layout (RFP/RFN) requiring differential 100Ω matching and AC coupling.
Technical Context
The ATSAMR21E17A-MU integrates an ARM Cortex-M0+ core with a hardware-assisted MAC and AES-128 security engine tightly coupled to the AT86RF233 transceiver via dedicated SERCOM4. Its Event System enables autonomous peripheral coordination-including RF state transitions-without CPU intervention, supporting standby-mode wake-up on RSSI threshold or frame-ready events.
Clock architecture includes DFLL48M and FDPLL96M for precise system timing, plus independent XOSCRF (16MHz crystal oscillator for RF), OSC8M, and OSCULP32K sources. The 32-pin QFN package omits XOSC32K but retains XTAL1/XTAL2 for RF crystal, with RFN/RFP pins assigned to physical pins 18 and 19 per datasheet Figure 4.2.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| CPU Core | ARM Cortex-M0+ running at up to 48MHz; enables deterministic real-time control with 2.46 CoreMark/MHz efficiency. |
| Memory | 128KB Flash + 16KB SRAM; sufficient for Zigbee/Thread stack + application logic without external memory. |
| Wireless Interface | Integrated AT86RF233 transceiver: -99dBm RX sensitivity, +4dBm TX output, 250kb/s O-QPSK data rate in 2.4GHz ISM band. |
| Analog Peripherals | 4-channel 12-bit ADC (350ksps), two analog comparators with window mode; supports battery voltage monitoring and sensor signal acquisition. |
| Digital Interfaces | Four SERCOM modules (configurable as USART/I²C/SPI/LIN), USB 2.0 FS host/device, 16 GPIOs with programmable pull options. |
| Power Management | Idle and standby sleep modes; SleepWalking enables peripherals to operate autonomously while CPU remains powered down. |
| Operating Range | -40°C to +85°C industrial temperature grade; QFN32 package with matte Sn plating (MU suffix). |
Pinout & Package
ATSAMR21E17A-MU uses a 32-pin QFN package (5mm × 5mm, 0.5mm pitch) with exposed thermal pad internally connected to GND. Pin assignment follows Atmel-42223G Figure 4.2: RFP (pin 18), RFN (pin 19), XTAL1 (pin 2), XTAL2 (pin 1), SWDIO (PA31, pin 46), SWCLK (PA30, pin 45), RESET (pin 41), VDDIO (pins 13, 24, 35), DVDD (pin 21), AVDD (pin 5), and GNDANA (pins 3, 6, 8).
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| RFP / RFN (pins 18/19) | Differential RF transceiver port | Requires 100Ω differential impedance trace and AC coupling; no DC path to ground or supply permitted per datasheet Section 5.4.2. |
| XTAL1 / XTAL2 (pins 2/1) | 16MHz crystal oscillator input/output for RF subsystem | Directly drives AT86RF233; must use 16MHz ±20ppm crystal with load capacitance matching XTAL1/XTAL2 parasitic CPAR = 3pF. |
| PA31 / PA30 (pins 46/45) | SWD debug interface | Two-pin Serial Wire Debug: SWDIO (bidirectional data) and SWCLK (clock); supports non-intrusive on-chip debug and flash programming. |
| PA06 / PA07 (pins 7/8) | ADC input channels AIN[6]/AIN[7] | Support single-ended or differential acquisition; programmable gain (1/2x–16x) and hardware oversampling up to 16-bit resolution. |
| PA14 / PA15 (pins 15/16) | RF control and clock signals | PA14 = EXTINT[14] / SERCOM2/PAD[2] / FECTRL[4]; PA15 = EXTINT[15] / SERCOM2/PAD[3] / FECTRL[5]; used for antenna diversity or TX/RX indicator control. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Hardware-assisted MAC | Auto-Acknowledge and Auto-Retry reduce host CPU overhead during packet transmission and retransmission handling. |
| SleepWalking capability | Peripherals (e.g., ADC, RTC, Event System) execute predefined tasks in standby mode without waking CPU-enabling sub-μA average current in sensor polling. |
| Integrated AES-128 engine | Dedicated security accelerator operates in parallel with PHY transactions; supports encryption/decryption without blocking RF or CPU operations. |
| Configurable SERCOM interfaces | Four SERCOM modules support simultaneous I²C (up to 3.4MHz), SPI, USART, or LIN slave-eliminating need for external protocol bridges. |
| RF pin layout optimization | RFP/RFN placed adjacent (pins 18/19) with symmetric routing recommendation; minimizes differential skew and improves EMI immunity in compact PCB layouts. |
Applications
| Smart Building Sensor Node | Industrial Wireless Actuator |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Battery-powered temperature/humidity sensor transmitting data every 5 minutes to a gateway via IEEE 802.15.4. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: ATSAMR21E17A-MU serves as main controller and RF transceiver; RTC triggers periodic wake-up; SleepWalking ADC samples sensor and initiates transmit sequence. Use Value: Integrated transceiver eliminates external RF IC and level-shifting components; 128KB Flash accommodates over-the-air firmware updates and multi-sensor fusion algorithms. | Use Scenario: Remote-controlled valve actuator receiving commands from central PLC over low-latency mesh network. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: ATSAMR21E17A-MU executes motor control via TCC PWM outputs while maintaining secure RF link using AES-128 encrypted frames. Use Value: Hardware MAC ensures reliable command delivery with auto-retry; 48MHz CPU handles real-time PID loop (<100μs jitter) alongside RF stack processing. |
| Asset Tracking Tag | Energy Meter Communication Module |
Use Scenario: GPS-denied indoor asset tag reporting location via RSSI-based proximity to fixed beacons. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: ATSAMR21E17A-MU measures received signal strength from multiple beacons using hardware RSSI capture and logs timestamps via RTC calendar. Use Value: On-die RF front-end provides consistent -99dBm sensitivity across temperature; low-power standby draws <1.5μA enabling 5-year battery life on coin cell. | Use Scenario: Smart meter add-on module relaying consumption data to utility concentrator using PRIME or G3-PLC coexistence protocols. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: ATSAMR21E17A-MU implements IEEE 802.15.4g waveform generation and CRC-16 frame validation in hardware, offloading baseband processing from host MCU. Use Value: Dedicated 128-byte TX/RX frame buffer and hardware CRC reduce host memory footprint and interrupt latency by >40% vs software-only implementations. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar wireless microcontroller applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATSAMR21G17A-MU | 48-pin QFN, 28 GPIOs, 5 SERCOMs, 8-channel ADC, XOSC32K included | Supports larger sensor arrays and external RTC backup; requires more PCB area and layout complexity | Select when additional analog inputs, SERCOMs, or 32.768kHz crystal support are required. |
| STM32WLE5JC | ARM Cortex-M4, LoRa/FSK/GFSK sub-GHz + 2.4GHz, 256KB Flash, 64KB RAM | Targets long-range LPWAN; lacks native IEEE 802.15.4 MAC and AT86RF233 compatibility | Select for sub-GHz deployment or when higher CPU performance and dual-band flexibility outweigh ecosystem lock-in. |
Compared with ATSAMR21G17A-MU, ATSAMR21E17A-MU reduces pin count and analog channel count for cost-sensitive compact designs; compared with STM32WLE5JC, it offers tighter integration with IEEE 802.15.4 stacks and lower RF BOM cost but lacks sub-GHz capability and M4-level compute.
Availability
ATSAMR21E17A-MU is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial wireless sensor networks, smart building controls, and battery-powered IoT edge devices requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.
Supply support for ATSAMR21E17A-MU 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 full support for the SMART ARM-based microcontroller portfolio, including design tools, documentation, and long-term product availability.
The SAM R21 product line was designed specifically for ultra-low-power IEEE 802.15.4-compliant wireless applications, emphasizing seamless RF-MCU integration, hardware-accelerated security, and energy-efficient peripheral autonomy.
FAQ
What is the maximum data rate supported by the ATSAMR21E17A-MU's integrated transceiver?
The ATSAMR21E17A-MU integrates the AT86RF233 transceiver, which supports a base data rate of 250kb/s using O-QPSK modulation in the 2.4GHz ISM band. Higher rates (500kb/s, 1000kb/s, 2000kb/s) are specified only for the -40°C to +85°C temperature range per datasheet Note 2-fully applicable to ATSAMR21E17A-MU's MU-grade rating.
Does ATSAMR21E17A-MU include a 32.768kHz crystal oscillator for RTC operation?
No. The ATSAMR21E17A-MU does not include an XOSC32K circuit; this feature is present only in the SAM R21G variant per Configuration Summary Table on page 4. For RTC calendar functionality, ATSAMR21E17A-MU relies on the internal 32kHz ultra-low-power oscillator (OSCULP32K) or an external 32.768kHz source connected to PA00/PA01.
Can ATSAMR21E17A-MU operate without an external 16MHz crystal?
No. The AT86RF233 transceiver requires a 16MHz crystal connected to XTAL1/XTAL2 (pins 2/1) for RF clock synthesis. While the MCU core can run from internal oscillators (DFLL48M, OSC8M), the RF subsystem will not function without the external 16MHz crystal per datasheet Section 5.4.3.1 and Figure 5-2.
How many SERCOM modules are available on ATSAMR21E17A-MU?
The ATSAMR21E17A-MU provides four SERCOM modules (SERCOM0–SERCOM3), with SERCOM4 reserved for internal connection to the AT86RF233 and not available for general-purpose use per datasheet Section 2.1 and Figure 3.2. Each SERCOM supports USART, UART, SPI, I²C (up to 3.4MHz), or LIN slave configuration.
What is the purpose of the FECTRL[0..5] signals on ATSAMR21E17A-MU?
FECTRL[0..5] are dedicated digital output signals mapped to PORT pins (e.g., PA08/PA09/PA12–PA15) that control external RF front-end components. They enable antenna diversity switching, external power amplifier enable/disable, and RX/TX indication-providing hardware-level coordination between ATSAMR21E17A-MU and external RF circuitry without CPU intervention.
ATSAMR21E17A-MU Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Series:
- SMART™ SAM R21
- Package/Case:
- 32-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Tray
- Product Status:
- Active
- Programmable:
- Not Verified
- Type:
- TxRx + MCU
- RF Family/Standard:
- General ISM > 1GHz
- Protocol:
- -
- Modulation:
- O-QPSK
- Frequency:
- 2.4GHz
- Data Rate (Max):
- 250kbps
- Power - Output:
- 4dBm
- Sensitivity:
- -99dBm
- Memory Size:
- 128kB Flash, 16kB SRAM
- Serial Interfaces:
- I2C, SPI, UART, USART, USB
- GPIO:
- 16
- Voltage - Supply:
- 1.8V ~ 3.6V
- Current - Receiving:
- 11.3mA ~ 11.8mA
- Current - Transmitting:
- 7.2mA ~ 13.8mA
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Supplier Device Package:
- 32-QFN (5x5)
ATSAMR21E17A-MU FAQ
1.How can I place an order for ATSAMR21E17A-MU through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for ATSAMR21E17A-MU on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for ATSAMR21E17A-MU reliable?
The price and inventory of ATSAMR21E17A-MU are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for ATSAMR21E17A-MU is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for ATSAMR21E17A-MU?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for ATSAMR21E17A-MU transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for ATSAMR21E17A-MU?
ATSAMR21E17A-MU orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your ATSAMR21E17A-MU order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for ATSAMR21E17A-MU?
For technical support, including ATSAMR21E17A-MU datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your ATSAMR21E17A-MU requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that ATSAMR21E17A-MU is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All ATSAMR21E17A-MU products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that ATSAMR21E17A-MU meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of ATSAMR21E17A-MU?
All ATSAMR21E17A-MU units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with ATSAMR21E17A-MU, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The ATSAMR21E17A-MU part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for ATSAMR21E17A-MU:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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