The Microchip ATTINY461A-SUR: A Compact Powerhouse for Embedded Designs

In the vast ecosystem of microcontrollers, 8-bit AVR architecture continues to hold a significant position, prized for its simplicity, robust performance, and ease of use. The Microchip ATTINY461A-SUR stands out as a prime example of this enduring legacy, offering a compelling blend of integration, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in a small-form-factor package. This device is engineered to deliver high performance for a wide array of demanding embedded control applications.

Housed in a 20-pin SOIC package, the ATTINY461A-SUR is designed for space-constrained applications. At its core lies a high-performance, low-power 8-bit AVR RISC processor capable of reaching speeds up to 12 MIPS at 12 MHz. This ensures responsive and deterministic control for time-sensitive operations. Its enhanced architecture features a single-cycle instruction execution for most instructions, dramatically increasing throughput over conventional CISC microcontrollers.

A key strength of this microcontroller is its rich set of integrated peripherals. It is equipped with 4KB of self-programmable Flash memory, 256B of EEPROM, and 256B of internal SRAM. For analog interfacing, it includes a sophisticated 10-channel, 10-bit ADC, making it ideal for sensor data acquisition. Furthermore, it boasts two analog comparators, a programmable watchdog timer, and multiple power-saving sleep modes, which are crucial for battery-powered and low-power applications where energy efficiency is paramount.

Communication flexibility is another highlight. The ATTINY461A-SUR supports multiple serial interfaces, including a Universal Serial Interface (USI) that can be configured for SPI, I2C, or UART protocols, and a full USART. This versatility allows for seamless connectivity with a vast array of sensors, memory chips, and other peripheral devices, simplifying system design.

The integrated debugWIRE on-chip debug system provides a simple and cost-effective method for debugging, streamlining the development process. Its robust I/O capabilities and durable design ensure reliable operation in industrial environments, making it suitable for automotive, industrial, consumer, and appliance control systems.

ICGOODFIND: The Microchip ATTINY461A-SUR is a highly integrated and versatile 8-bit microcontroller that successfully balances processing power, peripheral set, and power consumption. Its compact size and robust feature set make it an exceptional choice for designers seeking a reliable and cost-optimized solution for sophisticated embedded control tasks.

Keywords: AVR Microcontroller, Low-Power, Embedded Control, Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), Serial Communication.