ATMEGA2560-16AU Microcontroller
 ATMEGA2560-16AU device package |
 ATMEGA2560-16AU schematic symbol |
Microcontrollers are perhaps the most versatile and widely used ICs in electronic circuits. A microcontroller is a programmable integrated circuit (IC) which can be considered as a miniature computer system. A microcontroller IC typically combines processor core, RAM, ROM, and input/output peripherals into a single IC package. Due to their versatility and functionality, microcontrollers can virtually be found in almost all digital electronic circuits and embedded systems. From home appliances, office machines, entertainment systems, modems, and vending machines to satellite systems, industrial robots, military hardware, automotives and aircrafts, microcontrollers are found everywhere. The greatest feature of microcontrollers is their ability to be programmed which allows the engineers to customize their functionality according to their requirements. Today thousands of different microcontrollers with varying bit sizes, package sizes, clock speeds, RAMs, ROMs, I/Os and other technical specifications are available in the market to choose from. The latest technology paradigms of Industry 4.0 and Internet of Things have increased the utility and importance of microcontrollers manifold.
What is ATMEGA2560-16AU？
The ATMEGA2560-16AU is an AVR 8-bit high-performance low-power microcontroller from ATMEL Corporation. The ATMEGA2560-16AU is a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture microcontroller with 256kB of flash memory. The microcontroller IC also houses 4kB of EEPROM, 8kB of internal SRAM and 86 GPIO lines. The device also features three flexible timers/counter, serial USART, SPI port, 10-bit ADC and five programmable power saving modes. The operating voltage range is 1.8V to 5.5V. The A in the suffix signifies that the microcontroller comes in a TQFP package and the U signifies that the device has an “industrial” temperature range.
Pin Configuration
The pin description of the ATMEGA2560-16AU microcontroller is given in the following table:
| Pin name | Pin description |
| Vcc, GND | Digital supply voltage and ground pins |
| PA7:0 | Port A pins. Bi-directional I/O port with internal pull up resistors. |
| PB7:0 | Port B pins. Bi-directional I/O port with internal pull up resistors. |
| PC5:0 | Port C pins. Bi-directional I/O port with internal pull up resistors. |
| PD7:0 | Port D pins. Bi-directional I/O port with internal pull up resistors. |
| PE7:0 | Port E pins. Bi-directional I/O port with internal pull up resistors. |
| PF7:0 | Analog input port for the ADC. |
| PH/J/K/L7:0 | Port H/J/K/L pins. Bi-directional I/O port with internal pull up resistors. |
| AVcc | Supply voltage for ADC. |
| Aref | Analog reference pin for ADC. |
Features
- 8-bit microcontroller
- RISC architecture
- Powerful instruction set
- Fully static operation
- 16 MIPS throughput at 16MHz
- On-chip 2 cycle multiplier
- 4kB EEPROM
- 8kB built-in SRAM
- 256kB flash memory
- Optional boot code section
- Firmware lock security feature
- Real time counter with separate oscillator
- 12 x PWM channels
- 16-channel 10-bit ADC
- 4 x Programmable serial USART
- SPI interface
- On-chip analog comparator
- Internal calibrated oscillator
- Support for power down modes
Applications
Since microcontrollers are general-purpose programmable ICs, so there are literally hundreds of applications in which they are used. Some of the popular applications of microcontrollers are listed down below:
- Camera systems
- Security alarms
- Washing machines
- Temperature control systems
- Building automation systems
- Motor control circuits
- Instrumentation devices
- Industrial control systems
- Robot systems
- IC testing equipment
- GPS tracking applications
- GSM based automation systems
- RFID based identification systems
- Kitchen appliances
Specifications
The salient technical specifications of the ATMEGA2560-16AU are listed as following:
- Architecture: 8-bit RISC
- Instruction set length; 135
- General purpose registers: 32 x 8-bit
- Flash memory: 256kB
- EEPROM: 4kB
- SRAM: 8kB
- Timer/counter: 2 x 8-bit
- ADC: 16-channel 10-bit
- GPIOs: 86
- Package: 100 lead TQFP
- Throughput: 1 MIPS per MHz
- Max oscillator frequency: 16MHz
Alternatives
CY8C3446AXI-115, CY8C3246AXI-138T, CY8C3246AXI-138;
How ATMEGA2560-16AU work?
There is a plethora of applications and circuits in which microcontrollers are used. One of the most common applications of the microcontrollers is the control of DC motors. H-bridges or motor driver ICs are used in conjunction with microcontroller to control the DC motors because microcontrollers cannot provide sufficient power for the motors to run. The ATMEGA2560 microcontroller also features PWM channels therefore the PWM based control of motors is also possible. Following is a DC motor control application circuit based on ATMEGA2560 microcontroller.
ATMEGA2560 application circuit
| Parts | Mfr. | Description | Stock | Prices | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATMEGA2560-16AU | Microchip Technology | IC MCU 8BIT 256KB FLASH 100TQFP | 6500 | $5.041 Lowest |  |
| ATMEGA1284P-AUR | Microchip Technology | IC MCU 8BIT 128KB FLASH 44TQFP | 7500 | $3.187 Lowest |  |
| ATMEGA1284P-MU | Microchip Technology | IC MCU 8BIT 128KB FLASH 44VQFN | 5000 | $3.539 Lowest | |
| ATMEGA1284P-PU | Microchip Technology | IC MCU 8BIT 128KB FLASH 40DIP | 3128 | $5.377 Lowest |  |
| ATMEGA328P-MMHR | Microchip Technology | IC MCU 8BIT 32KB FLASH 28VQFN | 5136 | $1.893 Lowest | |