ATMEGA328P-AU
| Part Number | ATMEGA328P-AU |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer |
 Microchip |
| Description | AVR AVR® ATmega Microcontroller IC 8-Bit 20MHz 32KB (16K x 16) FLASH 32-TQFP (7x7) |
| Product Group | Microcontroller |
| MOQ | 2000 pcs |
| SPQ | 2000 pcs |
| Figure/Case | 32-TQFP |
| Package | T&R Pack |
| PDF Datasheet | |
| Ship From | Hong Kong |
| Shipment Way | DHL / Fedex / TNT / UPS / Others |
| Delivery Term | Ex-Works |
| Send RFQ | sales@signalhk.com |
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Core | 8-bit AVR core |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB Flash memory (programmable in-system) |
| RAM | 2 KB RAM |
| EEPROM | 1 KB EEPROM |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Clock Speed | 20 MHz maximum operating frequency |
| Timers | 3x 8-bit timers, 1x 16-bit timer |
| ADC | 10-bit, 6-channel Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) |
| PWM | 6 PWM channels |
| I/O Pins | 23 General-purpose I/O pins |
| Communication Interfaces | 1x I2C, 1x SPI, 1x UART |
| Watchdog | Independent Watchdog (IWDG) |
| Low Power Modes | Sleep, Standby, and Power-down modes for power saving |
| Interrupts | 2 external interrupts, 1 software interrupt |
| Temperature Range | -40°C to +85°C |
| Package | QFN-32 (32 pins) |
| Bootloader | Support for in-application programming (IAP) |
| Peripheral Features | 1x Watchdog Timer (WDT), 1x Timer, 1x TWI, 1x SPI |
| Oscillator | Internal 8 MHz oscillator, external clock support |
| Development Tools | Supported by Atmel Studio, Arduino IDE, and third-party tools |
| Protection | Brown-out Reset (BOR), Watchdog Timer (WDT), Power-on Reset (POR) |
| Package Size | 32-pin QFN (Quad Flat No-lead Package) |
| Temperature Monitoring | No internal temperature sensor |
ATMEGA328P-AU and Arduino: The Heart of DIY Electronics
The ATMEGA328P-AU is a versatile and popular microcontroller in the world of embedded systems and DIY electronics. This 8-bit microcontroller, produced by Atmel (now part of Microchip Technology), has found widespread use in a variety of applications. Its most famous usage is as the heart of the Arduino Uno, one of the most popular open-source hardware platforms for electronics prototyping and development.
In this article, we’ll explore the ATMEGA328P-AU, its features, how it integrates with the Arduino platform, and why it has become the go-to choice for hobbyists, engineers, and makers.
What is the ATMEGA328P-AU?
The ATMEGA328P-AU is a microcontroller based on Atmel’s AVR architecture. It offers an excellent balance between processing power, memory size, and power consumption, making it ideal for embedded systems and small-scale computing projects.
Some key features of the ATMEGA328P-AU include:
- • 8-bit AVR core: A proven architecture for embedded systems.
- • 32 KB of flash memory: Suitable for storing your code and programs.
- • 2 KB SRAM and 1 KB EEPROM: For runtime data and non-volatile storage.
- • 6 ADC channels: 10-bit analog-to-digital conversion, allowing for sensor integration.
- • Up to 20 MHz clock speed: Sufficient for most low to mid-level embedded applications.
- • 23 I/O pins: To interface with LEDs, sensors, motors, and more.
- • PWM outputs: 6 PWM outputs for controlling things like motor speed and light intensity.
- • Wide operating voltage: 1.8V to 5.5V, allowing flexibility for different projects.
Why ATMEGA328P-AU and Arduino?
The Arduino platform is a powerful and user-friendly environment designed to help users develop electronics projects without the need for extensive programming or hardware expertise. The ATMEGA328P-AU is one of the primary microcontrollers used in Arduino boards, such as the Arduino Uno, and is what makes the platform so accessible and adaptable.
1. Ease of Use and Open Source Hardware:
One of the reasons the ATMEGA328P-AU is so popular in the Arduino ecosystem is due to the Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment). The Arduino IDE is free and open-source, offering a straightforward way to write, compile, and upload code to the microcontroller. Users don't need to worry about configuring low-level settings for each chip, making it easy to get started with embedded systems.
2. Simplified Programming with Arduino Language:
Arduino programming is done using the Arduino programming language, which is based on C/C++ but simplified for beginners. Arduino code is structured in two main sections: setup() (for initialization) and loop() (for the repeated execution of code). With built-in libraries and functions, users can easily access various hardware features such as reading from sensors, writing to LEDs, and sending/receiving data over communication protocols like I2C, SPI, or UART.
3. Widespread Community Support:
Another significant advantage of the ATMEGA328P-AU and the Arduino ecosystem is the vast global community that has grown around it. Arduino users and enthusiasts share their projects, tutorials, and code online, allowing others to learn from and build on each other’s work. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced engineer, there’s a wealth of resources available to help you with your projects.
4. Extensive Hardware Ecosystem:
The Arduino platform offers a large variety of shields (add-on boards) and components that can easily interface with the ATMEGA328P-AU. These include motor drivers, LCD displays, sensors, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth modules, and much more. The simplicity with which you can connect and control external hardware is one of the main reasons Arduino is so widely used in rapid prototyping.
5. Versatility for Projects:
From simple LED blinkers to complex robotics, home automation, and IoT (Internet of Things) projects, the ATMEGA328P-AU is capable of handling a wide range of tasks. Its rich peripheral set—including timers, ADCs, PWM outputs, and communication interfaces—allows users to control motors, sensors, lights, and more. It can also interact with other microcontrollers and devices through I2C, SPI, and UART communication.
ATMEGA328P-AU in Arduino Boards
The Arduino Uno is the most well-known development board that features the ATMEGA328P-AU. It’s the entry-level board used by thousands of hobbyists and students around the world to get started with electronics and embedded systems. The Arduino Uno offers:
- • 32 KB of flash memory, where 0.5 KB is reserved for the bootloader.
- • 2 KB of SRAM to store variable data.
- • 1 KB of EEPROM for persistent data storage.
- • 14 digital I/O pins, of which 6 can provide PWM output.
- • 6 analog inputs for sensor data acquisition.
Practical Applications of ATMEGA328P-AU with Arduino
The ATMEGA328P-AU, when paired with the Arduino platform, is used in a wide variety of real-world applications:
- • Home Automation: Create smart devices such as light controllers, motion detectors, or temperature sensors. Control them using a smartphone, PC, or even voice commands.
- • Robotics: Build small robots or automated vehicles that use sensors and actuators to navigate and perform tasks.
- • Wearables: With its small footprint, the ATMEGA328P-AU can be embedded in wearable devices like fitness trackers and smartwatches.
- • IoT Projects: Integrate the microcontroller with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth modules to connect your project to the internet or communicate with other devices.
- • Prototyping and Learning: Arduino with ATMEGA328P-AU is widely used for prototyping new devices and educational purposes, making it an excellent choice for beginners and advanced users alike.
The ATMEGA328P-AU microcontroller, integrated into the Arduino Uno platform, has become a cornerstone of the DIY electronics and maker communities. Its simplicity, low cost, and versatility have enabled makers, hobbyists, students, and engineers to bring their electronic projects to life with ease. With an excellent set of peripherals, community support, and an accessible development environment, it’s easy to see why the ATMEGA328P-AU remains one of the most widely used microcontrollers for embedded applications. Whether you're building a robot, creating a smart home device, or simply learning about electronics, the ATMEGA328P-AU and Arduino provide the tools and resources to turn your ideas into reality.
Comparison table for ATmega328P, ATmega2560, ATmega32U4, ATtiny85, ATmega168, ATmega8, and ATmega32
| Feature | ATmega328P | ATmega2560 | ATmega32U4 | ATtiny85 | ATmega168 | ATmega8 | ATmega32 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | 8-bit AVR | 8-bit AVR | 8-bit AVR | 8-bit AVR | 8-bit AVR | 8-bit AVR | 8-bit AVR |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB | 256 KB | 32 KB | 8 KB | 16 KB | 8 KB | 32 KB |
| SRAM | 2 KB | 8 KB | 2.5 KB | 512 B | 1 KB | 1 KB | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 1 KB | 4 KB | 1 KB | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 1 KB |
| Clock Speed | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 20 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz |
| GPIO Pins | 23 | 86 | 26 | 6 | 23 | 23 | 32 |
| ADC Channels | 8 (10-bit) | 16 (10-bit) | 12 (10-bit) | 4 (10-bit) | 8 (10-bit) | 6 (10-bit) | 8 (10-bit) |
| PWM Channels | 6 | 15 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 4 |
| UART | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| SPI | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| I2C | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| USB | No | No | Yes (2.0) | No | No | No | No |
| Timers | 3 (8-bit & 16-bit) | 6 (8-bit & 16-bit) | 4 (8-bit & 16-bit) | 2 (8-bit) | 3 (8-bit & 16-bit) | 3 (8-bit & 16-bit) | 3 (8-bit & 16-bit) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power Consumption | Low | Moderate | Low | Very Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8V - 5.5V | 1.8V - 5.5V | 2.7V - 5.5V | 2.7V - 5.5V | 1.8V - 5.5V | 2.7V - 5.5V | 2.7V - 5.5V |
| Package Options | DIP, TQFP, QFN | TQFP, QFN | TQFP, QFN | SOIC, PDIP | DIP, TQFP | DIP, TQFP | TQFP, PDIP |
| Typical Applications | Arduino Uno, DIY Projects | Arduino Mega, Complex Projects | Arduino Leonardo, USB Projects | Small Projects, Wearables | Arduino (older versions), Small Projects | Basic Projects, Learning | Industrial Control, Automation |
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