![]() ATMEGA1284P-AU device package |
![]() ATMEGA1284P-AU 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 ATMEGA1284P-AU?
The ATMEGA1284P-AU is an AVR 8-bit high-performance low-power microcontroller from ATMEL Corporation. The ATMEGA1284P-AU is a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture microcontroller with 128kB of flash memory. The microcontroller IC also houses 4kB of EEPROM, 16kB of internal SRAM and 32 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 ATMEGA1284P microcontroller is given in the following table:
Pin name | Pin description |
Vcc | Digital supply voltage |
GND | Ground |
PA7:0 | Analog signal port for ADC |
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. |
AVcc | Supply voltage for ADC. |
Aref | Analog reference pin for ADC. |
XTAL1. XTAL2 | Input and output of oscillator amplifier |
Features
- 8-bit microcontroller
- RISC architecture
- Powerful instruction set
- Single clock cycle execution
- Fully static operation
- 20 MIPS throughput at 20MHz
- On-chip 2 cycle multiplier
- 4kB EEPROM
- 16kB built-in SRAM
- Optional boot code section
- Firmware lock security feature
- Real time counter with separate oscillator
- Six PWM channels
- 8-channel 10-bit ADC
- 2 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 ATMEGA1284P-AU are listed as following:
- Architecture: 8-bit RISC
- Instruction set length; 131
- General purpose registers: 32 x 8-bit
- Flash memory: 128kB
- EEPROM: 4kB
- SRAM: 16kB
- Timer/counter: 2 x 8-bit
- ADC: 8-channel 10-bit
- GPIOs: 32
- Package: 44 lead TQFP
- Throughput: 1 MIPS per MHz
- Max oscillator frequency: 20MHz
How ATMEGA1284P-AU 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 ATMEGA1284P 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 ATMEGA1284P microcontroller.
![ATMEGA1284P-AU application circuit](https://www.win-source.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ATMEGA1284P-AU-application-circuit-400x222.jpg)
ATMEGA1284P-AU application circuit
COMMENTS