Microchip ATTINY861A-MUR: A Comprehensive Technical Overview and Application Guide
The Microchip ATTINY861A-MUR stands as a powerful and versatile 8-bit microcontroller within the AVR family, packaged in a compact 32-pin QFN (Quad-Flat No-leads) form factor. This device is engineered for high-performance and low-power applications, making it a cornerstone for embedded designers seeking a robust yet economical solution. Its integration of advanced peripherals, substantial memory, and efficient processing capabilities within a minimal footprint allows it to excel in a vast array of industrial, consumer, and automotive systems.
Core Architecture and Key Specifications
At its heart, the ATTINY861A-MUR features a high-performance, low-power AVR RISC architecture. The core can execute most instructions in a single clock cycle, achieving throughputs approaching 1 MIPS per MHz, which allows the system designer to optimize power consumption versus processing speed. The core operates at a maximum frequency of 20 MHz.
Its memory configuration is a significant highlight, featuring:
8 KB of In-System Self-Programmable Flash memory for application code.
512 Bytes of EEPROM for storing non-volatile data.
512 Bytes of Internal SRAM for efficient data manipulation.
A standout feature of this microcontroller is its rich set of peripherals, designed to minimize external component count and simplify design complexity. This includes:
Two 8-bit Timer/Counters with separate prescalers and compare modes.
One 16-bit Timer/Counter with separate prescaler, compare, and capture modes.
A versatile 10-channel, 10-bit ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter), enabling precise measurement of analog signals.
Two Analog Comparators for monitoring external voltage levels.
Programmable Serial USART for asynchronous serial communication.
A Universal Serial Interface (USI) that can be configured for SPI, I2C, or TWI communication protocols.
An 11-channel, 10-bit PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) unit, ideal for controlling motors, LEDs, and generating analog-like signals.
Application Guide and Design Considerations
The ATTINY861A-MUR is exceptionally well-suited for a multitude of applications. Its high integration makes it ideal for sensor interfacing and data logging systems, where its 10-channel ADC can read multiple sensors directly. The powerful PWM and timer capabilities are perfect for precise motor control in appliances, drones, and industrial automation. Furthermore, its communication interfaces (USART, USI) allow it to act as a smart sensor hub or a secondary system controller in larger electronic assemblies, communicating with a host processor.
Designing with this microcontroller is streamlined by Microchip's robust development ecosystem. The Atmel Studio (now Microchip Studio) IDE provides a comprehensive environment for writing, debugging, and simulating code. Development is further accelerated by the use of C compilers and code libraries like AVR-Libc. For hardware prototyping, programmers/debuggers like the Atmel-ICE are used to flash the code onto the chip and perform in-circuit debugging.
A critical design consideration is leveraging its low-power features. The microcontroller supports multiple sleep modes (Idle, ADC Noise Reduction, Power-down, Standby, and Extended Standby) to drastically reduce power consumption in battery-operated devices. Careful management of clock sources and peripheral shutdown when not in use is key to maximizing battery life.
ICGOOODFIND: The Microchip ATTINY861A-MUR is a highly integrated and capable 8-bit microcontroller that delivers an exceptional feature-to-size ratio. Its combination of ample memory, a high number of analog and digital peripherals, and proven low-power architecture makes it a superior choice for designers tackling complex control tasks in space-constrained and cost-sensitive applications. Its support within a mature development ecosystem ensures a reduced time-to-market and high design reliability.
Keywords: ATTINY861A-MUR, AVR Microcontroller, Embedded Systems, PWM Control, Low-Power Design
