Microchip ATTINY214-SSFR: A Comprehensive Datasheet and Application Guide

The Microchip ATTINY214-SSFR represents a powerful and versatile 8-bit microcontroller from the enhanced TinyAVR® 2-series family, engineered to deliver high performance with minimal power consumption. Packed with advanced peripherals and built on the modern AVR® CPU with a hardware multiplier, this device is an ideal solution for a vast array of embedded control applications, from consumer electronics and IoT nodes to industrial automation and automotive systems.

Core Architecture and Key Features

At the heart of the ATTINY214-SSFR lies a robust core capable of running at up to 20 MHz, achieving 20 MIPS (Million Instructions Per Second) throughput. This performance is complemented by a rich set of features designed to minimize external component count and simplify design complexity.

Memory: The device is equipped with 2 KB of Flash program memory, 128 Bytes of SRAM, and 128 Bytes of EEPROM for non-volatile data storage, providing ample space for code and data in compact applications.

Advanced Peripherals: A standout feature is the Configurable Custom Logic (CCL), which allows for the creation of simple combinatorial or sequential logic functions without CPU intervention, enabling intelligent peripheral-to-peripheral communication and reducing power consumption.

Communication Interfaces: It includes a USART (Universal Synchronous/Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) for serial communication (UART, SPI, LIN) and an I2C compliant Two-Wire Interface (TWI) for connecting to a wide variety of sensors and ICs.

Analog Capabilities: The microcontroller integrates a 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) with up to 12 channels, a 16-bit Timer/Counter (TCA), and a 16-bit High-Frequency PWM (TCB), making it suitable for precision sensing and motor control tasks.

Operating Voltage and Packaging: The ATTINY214-SSFR operates within a wide voltage range of 1.8V to 5.5V, making it perfect for both battery-powered and line-powered applications. The "-SSFR" suffix denotes a 14-pin SOIC package, which is easy to prototype and suitable for automated assembly.

Application Guide and Design Considerations

Leveraging the ATTINY214-SSFR effectively requires an understanding of its strengths. Its low power consumption features, including multiple sleep modes and an Event System that allows peripherals to react to and resolve events without waking the core CPU, make it a champion for battery-powered designs.

For example, in a smart sensor node, the ADC can sample a sensor, and the CCL can be configured to compare the value to a threshold. Only if the threshold is exceeded would an interrupt be generated to wake the CPU, dramatically extending battery life. Similarly, its robust PWM and communication peripherals allow it to act as a dedicated fan controller or a intelligent LED driver.

Development is streamlined using Microchip’s MPLAB® X IDE and the AVR-GCC compiler or the MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC), a graphical tool that generates initialization code and drivers, significantly accelerating the development process.

ICGOOODFIND: The Microchip ATTINY214-SSFR is a highly capable and efficient microcontroller that punches well above its weight class. Its blend of core performance, advanced independent peripherals like CCL, and ultra-low-power operation makes it an exceptional choice for modern, compact, and energy-conscious embedded designs.

Keywords: ATTINY214-SSFR, TinyAVR® 2-series, Configurable Custom Logic (CCL), Ultra-Low-Power, 8-bit Microcontroller