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 close to 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
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Flash Memory | 8 KB of In-System Self-programmable Flash with Read-While-Write capabilities |
| EEPROM | 512 bytes |
| SRAM | 1 KB |
| General Purpose I/O Lines | 23 |
| Working Registers | 32 general purpose working registers |
| Timer/Counters | Two 8-bit Timer/Counters, one 16-bit Timer/Counter with separate prescaler, compare mode, and capture mode |
| PWM Channels | Three PWM channels |
| ADC Channels | 6 channels (10-bit accuracy) in PDIP package, 8 channels in TQFP and QFN/MLF packages |
| Serial Interfaces | Byte-oriented Two-wire Serial Interface, Programmable Serial USART, Master/Slave SPI Serial Interface |
| Operating Voltage | 2.7 - 5.5V |
| Max Operating Frequency | 16 MHz |
| Temperature Range | -40°C to +105°C |
| Package Options | 28-lead PDIP, 32-lead TQFP, 32-pad QFN/MLF |
Key Features
- Advanced RISC Architecture with 130 powerful instructions, most executed in a single clock cycle
- Fully static operation with up to 16 MIPS throughput at 16 MHz
- On-chip 2-cycle multiplier
- High endurance non-volatile memory segments with 10,000 write/erase cycles for Flash and 100,000 for EEPROM
- Data retention of 20 years at 85°C or 100 years at 25°C
- In-System Programming by on-chip Boot Program with true Read-While-Write operation
- Programming lock for software security
- Peripheral features include two 8-bit Timer/Counters, one 16-bit Timer/Counter, Real Time Counter, three PWM channels, and an 8-channel ADC
- Programmable Watchdog Timer with separate on-chip oscillator and on-chip Analog Comparator
- Power-on Reset and programmable Brown-out Detection
- Internal Calibrated RC Oscillator and external and internal interrupt sources
- Five sleep modes: Idle, ADC Noise Reduction, Power-save, Power-down, and Standby
Applications
The ATmega8A is suitable for a wide range of embedded control applications due to its flexibility and cost-effectiveness. Some common applications include:
- Industrial control systems
- Consumer electronics
- Automotive systems
- Medical devices
- Robotics and automation
- Capacitive touch sensing applications using the Atmel QTouch library
Q & A
- What is the ATmega8A microcontroller based on?
The ATmega8A is based on the AVR RISC architecture.
- 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 package options for the ATmega8A?
The package options include 28-lead PDIP, 32-lead TQFP, and 32-pad QFN/MLF.
- Does the ATmega8A support In-System Programming?
- 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.
- How many general purpose I/O lines does the ATmega8A have?
The ATmega8A has 23 general purpose I/O lines.
- What are the operating voltage ranges for the ATmega8A?
The operating voltage ranges from 2.7V to 5.5V.
- Does the ATmega8A support capacitive touch sensing?
- What are the sleep modes available on the ATmega8A?
The ATmega8A has five sleep modes: Idle, ADC Noise Reduction, Power-save, Power-down, and Standby.
