ATSAM3N2CA-CU Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The ATSAM3N2CA-CU is an ARM Cortex-M3 SAM3N microcontroller IC featuring 32-bit single-core architecture, 48MHz clock speed, and 128KB FLASH memory in a 100-TFBGA (9x9) package. This part is classified as obsolete, necessitating identification of equivalent substitute components for new designs and ongoing production requirements. Substitute parts must maintain electrical compatibility across core parameters including supply voltage range, package form factor, I/O count, and peripheral feature sets.

Substiute Parts

ATSAM3N2CA-CU

Microchip TechnologyIn Stock: 3884ATSAM3N2CA-CU Datasheet

Current PartRFQ

ATSAM4N8CA-CU

AtmelIn Stock: 1533ATSAM4N8CA-CU Datasheet

DirectRFQ

ATSAM4S2CA-CU

Microchip TechnologyIn Stock: 1150ATSAM4S2CA-CU Datasheet

DirectRFQ

Key Parameters

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the ATSAM3N2CA-CU are selected based on the following critical parameters that determine functional compatibility:

Electrical Compatibility Parameters:

• Voltage supply range: 1.62V ~ 3.6V (must match or encompass)
• Package form factor: 100-TFBGA (9x9) (must be identical)
• Number of I/O: 79 (must match)
• Operating temperature range: -40°C ~ 85°C (must match or exceed)
• Connectivity interfaces: I2C, IrDA, SPI, UART/USART (must be present)
• Peripheral features: Brown-out Detect/Reset, DMA, POR, PWM, WDT (must be present)

Acceptable Variations:

• Core processor architecture: ARM Cortex-M3 or ARM Cortex-M4 (upward compatible)
• Clock speed: Equal to or greater than 48MHz
• Program memory: Equal to or greater than 128KB
• RAM size: Equal to or greater than 16KB
• Data converter specifications: Equal to or greater capability

Two substitute parts meet these criteria: ATSAM4N8CA-CU and ATSAM4S2CA-CU, both maintaining identical package geometry, I/O count, voltage range, and peripheral feature sets while offering enhanced processing capability and memory capacity.

Parameter Comparison

Engineering Selection Recommendations

ATSAM4S2CA-CU is the primary substitute for the ATSAM3N2CA-CU. This part maintains identical program memory capacity (128KB FLASH) while providing enhanced processing capability through ARM Cortex-M4 architecture and increased clock speed (120MHz). The ATSAM4S2CA-CU offers expanded connectivity options including USB, SSC, and EBI/EMI interfaces, plus enhanced data conversion capability (16x12b A/D, 2x12b D/A versus 16x10b A/D, 1x10b D/A). Both parts share ROHS3 compliance and REACH unaffected status. Active product status ensures long-term availability and supply chain continuity.

ATSAM4N8CA-CU serves as an alternative substitute when higher program memory capacity (512KB FLASH) is beneficial for application requirements. This part provides the highest clock speed (100MHz) among available substitutes and quadrupled RAM capacity (64K x 8). The ATSAM4N8CA-CU maintains all required peripheral features and I/O count. Active product status supports ongoing production needs.

Both substitute parts are electrically compatible with the obsolete ATSAM3N2CA-CU across all critical parameters: identical package geometry, I/O count, voltage supply range, operating temperature range, and peripheral feature sets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can ATSAM4N8CA-CU and ATSAM4S2CA-CU be used interchangeably with ATSAM3N2CA-CU?

A: Both parts are electrically compatible substitutes. They maintain identical package form factor (100-TFBGA 9x9), I/O count (79), voltage supply range (1.62V ~ 3.6V), operating temperature range (-40°C ~ 85°C), and required peripheral features. Selection between them depends on application-specific memory and connectivity requirements.

Q: What are the key differences between the two substitute parts?

A: ATSAM4S2CA-CU matches the original program memory size (128KB) and adds enhanced connectivity (USB, SSC, EBI/EMI). ATSAM4N8CA-CU provides significantly higher program memory (512KB) and RAM (64K x 8 versus 16K x 8 in the original). Clock speeds differ: ATSAM4S2CA-CU operates at 120MHz while ATSAM4N8CA-CU operates at 100MHz.

Q: Are there compliance or certification differences between substitute parts?

A: ATSAM4S2CA-CU maintains ROHS3 compliance and REACH unaffected status matching the original part. ATSAM4N8CA-CU compliance specifications are not provided in available documentation. Both parts share identical ECCN (3A991A2) and HTSUS (8542.31.0001) classifications.

Q: Does the package form factor remain identical across all parts?

A: Yes. All three parts use 100-TFBGA (9x9) package geometry with identical pin count (79 I/O). PCB layout and footprint compatibility is maintained.

Q: What is the impact of upgrading from ARM Cortex-M3 to ARM Cortex-M4?

A: Both substitute parts employ ARM Cortex-M4 architecture, providing enhanced instruction set capability and improved performance. This represents an upward-compatible upgrade with no functional degradation for applications designed for ARM Cortex-M3 architecture.

Q: Are supply voltage and operating temperature ranges identical?

A: Yes. All three parts operate across identical voltage supply range (1.62V ~ 3.6V) and operating temperature range (-40°C ~ 85°C TA). No power supply or thermal management modifications are required.