Overview
The ATmega8A, produced by Microchip Technology, is a low-power CMOS 8-bit microcontroller based on the AVR RISC architecture. This microcontroller is designed to execute powerful instructions in a single clock cycle, achieving throughputs approaching 1 MIPS per MHz. This capability allows system designers to optimize power consumption versus processing speed, making it a versatile and efficient solution for various embedded control applications.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Microcontroller Type | 8-bit AVR RISC |
| Flash Memory | 8 KB (In-System Self-programmable) |
| EEPROM | 512 Bytes |
| SRAM | 1 KB |
| General Purpose I/O Pins | 23 |
| SPI | 1 |
| TWI (I2C) | 1 |
| USART | 1 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 6 channels (8 in TQFP and QFN/MLF packages) |
| Timer/Counters | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| PWM Channels | 3 |
| Operating Voltage | 2.7 - 5.5V |
| Max Operating Frequency | 16 MHz |
| Temperature Range | -40°C to +105°C |
| Package Type | TQFP-32 |
Key Features
- Advanced RISC Architecture with 130 powerful instructions, most executed in a single clock cycle.
- 32 general purpose working registers directly connected to the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU).
- Fully static operation and up to 16 MIPS throughput at 16 MHz.
- On-chip 2-cycle multiplier.
- High endurance nonvolatile memory segments: 8 KB Flash, 512 Bytes EEPROM, 1 KB SRAM.
- In-System Self-Programmable Flash with Read-While-Write capabilities.
- True Read-While-Write operation through the Boot program.
- Support for Atmel QTouch library for capacitive touch sensing.
- Three flexible timer/counters with compare modes and internal/external interrupts.
- Serial programmable USART and byte-oriented two-wire serial interface (TWI).
- 10-bit ADC with 6 channels (8 in some packages).
Applications
- Embedded control systems.
- Industrial automation.
- Consumer electronics.
- Automotive systems.
- Medical devices.
- Capacitive touch applications using the QTouch library.
- Real-time clock (RTC) applications.
- Power efficient high endurance parameter storage.
Q & A
- What is the architecture of the ATmega8A microcontroller?
The ATmega8A is based on the AVR RISC architecture, executing powerful instructions in a single clock cycle.
- How much Flash memory does the ATmega8A have?
The ATmega8A has 8 KB of In-System Self-programmable Flash memory.
- What is the maximum operating frequency of the ATmega8A?
The maximum operating frequency is 16 MHz.
- What are the key features of the ATmega8A's memory segments?
The ATmega8A features 8 KB Flash, 512 Bytes EEPROM, and 1 KB SRAM, with high endurance and long data retention.
- Does the ATmega8A support capacitive touch sensing?
Yes, it supports capacitive touch sensing through the Atmel QTouch library.
- What types of interfaces does the ATmega8A have?
The ATmega8A includes SPI, TWI (I2C), USART, and a 10-bit ADC interface.
- What is the operating voltage range of the ATmega8A?
The operating voltage range is 2.7 - 5.5V.
- What is the temperature range for the ATmega8A?
The temperature range is -40°C to +105°C.
- Can the ATmega8A be programmed in-system?
Yes, it supports In-System Self-Programmable Flash through an SPI serial interface or an on-chip Boot program.
- What development tools are available for the ATmega8A?
The ATmega8A is supported by a full suite of development tools including C compilers, macro assemblers, program debuggers/simulators, and evaluation kits.
