ATMEGA168PA-AU

The ATMEGA168PA-AU is a high-performance, low-power 8-bit microcontroller from Atmel (now part of Microchip Technology). It is based on the AVR enhanced RISC architecture and offers a combination of powerful features and cost-effectiveness, making it a popular choice for many embedded control applications.

Key Features and Specifications

1. Architecture: The ATMEGA168PA-AU employs the AVR enhanced RISC architecture, which allows it to execute powerful instructions in a single clock cycle. This results in high throughput, approaching 1 MIPS per MHz, enabling system designers to optimize the device for power consumption versus processing speed.
2. Memory: The microcontroller features 16K bytes of In-System Self-Programmable (ISP) Flash program memory, 512 bytes of EEPROM for non-volatile data storage, and 1K bytes of internal SRAM for temporary data storage.
3. Timers and Counters: The ATMEGA168PA-AU includes two 8-bit Timer/Counters with separate prescalers and compare modes, as well as one 16-bit Timer/Counter with a separate prescaler, compare mode, and capture mode. Additionally, there is a real-time counter with a separate oscillator.
4. Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC): The device offers an 8-channel 10-bit ADC for analog signal conversion, making it suitable for applications requiring precise analog measurements.
5. Communication Interfaces: The ATMEGA168PA-AU supports a variety of communication interfaces, including two Master/Slave SPI serial interfaces, one programmable serial USART, and one byte-oriented 2-wire serial interface (Philips I2C compatible).
6. Power Management: The microcontroller includes multiple power-saving modes, such as Idle, Power-down, Power-save, ADC Noise Reduction, and Standby, which allow it to consume minimal power when not in active use.
7. Programmable Watchdog Timer: The device features a programmable watchdog timer with an internal oscillator, providing a safety mechanism to prevent system hangs or crashes.
8. QTouch Library Support: Atmel’s QTouch library allows the ATMEGA168PA-AU to support capacitive touch buttons, sliders, and wheels, enhancing user interface options for embedded applications.
9. Package: The ATMEGA168PA-AU is available in a 32-pin QFP package, making it suitable for a wide range of PCB layouts and applications.

Applications

The ATMEGA168PA-AU is suitable for a variety of applications, including:

• Embedded systems and controllers for industrial automation
• Consumer electronics, such as remote controls and handheld devices
• Computer peripherals and interfaces
• Sensors and data acquisition systems

Summary

The ATMEGA168PA-AU is a versatile and powerful 8-bit microcontroller that combines high performance, low power consumption, and a rich feature set. Its compact package, multiple communication interfaces, and support for capacitive touch sensing make it an excellent choice for a wide range of embedded control applications. With its ISP Flash memory, the ATMEGA168PA-AU also offers flexibility in programming and updating, making it a valuable asset in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.