Overview
The ATmega8A, produced by Microchip Technology (formerly Atmel), is a high-performance, low-power AVR 8-bit microcontroller. It is based on the AVR enhanced RISC architecture, which allows for the execution of powerful instructions in a single clock cycle. This architecture enables the device to achieve throughputs close to 1 MIPS per MHz, making it highly efficient for various embedded control applications. The ATmega8A is designed to optimize power consumption versus processing speed, making it a versatile choice for system designers.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Core | AVR |
| Data Bus Width | 8 bit |
| Program Memory Size | 8 KB (In-System Self-programmable Flash) |
| EEPROM Size | 512 Bytes |
| SRAM Size | 1 KB |
| Number of I/O Lines | 23 |
| Interfaces | SPI, TWI (I2C), USART |
| ADC Channels | 6 (8 in TQFP and QFN/MLF packages) |
| Timer/Counters | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| PWM Channels | 3 |
| Operating Voltage | 2.7 - 5.5 V |
| Max Operating Frequency | 16 MHz |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40°C to +105°C |
| Package | TQFP-32 |
Key Features
- Advanced RISC Architecture with 130 powerful instructions, most of which execute in a single clock cycle.
- 32 x 8 general purpose working registers.
- Fully static operation.
- Up to 16 MIPS throughput at 16 MHz.
- On-chip 2-cycle multiplier.
- High endurance non-volatile memory segments: 8 KB Flash, 512 Bytes EEPROM, 1 KB SRAM.
- Write/erase cycles: 10,000 Flash/100,000 EEPROM.
- Data retention: 20 years at 85°C/100 years at 25°C.
- Optional boot code section with independent lock bits.
- In-system programming by on-chip boot program with true Read-While-Write operation.
- Support for Atmel QTouch library for capacitive touch sensing.
Applications
The ATmega8A is suitable for a wide range of embedded control applications due to its high performance, low power consumption, and flexible programming capabilities. Some common applications include:
- Industrial control systems.
- Consumer electronics.
- Automotive systems.
- Medical devices.
- Wireless and wired communication systems.
- Capacitive touch interfaces.
Q & A
- What is the core architecture of the ATmega8A?
The ATmega8A is based on the AVR enhanced RISC architecture. - How much program memory does the ATmega8A have?
The ATmega8A has 8 KB of In-System Self-programmable Flash program memory. - What is the maximum operating frequency of the ATmega8A?
The maximum operating frequency is 16 MHz. - What are the operating voltage ranges for the ATmega8A?
The operating voltage ranges from 2.7 V to 5.5 V. - How many I/O lines does the ATmega8A have?
The ATmega8A has 23 general purpose I/O lines. - Does the ATmega8A support capacitive touch sensing?
Yes, it supports capacitive touch sensing through the Atmel QTouch library. - What is the data retention period for the ATmega8A's non-volatile memory?
The data retention period is 20 years at 85°C or 100 years at 25°C. - Can the ATmega8A be programmed in-system?
Yes, it supports in-system programming through an on-chip boot program. - What types of timers/counters are available on the ATmega8A?
The ATmega8A has two 8-bit timer/counters and one 16-bit timer/counter. - Is the ATmega8A RoHS compliant?
Yes, the ATmega8A is RoHS compliant.
