The ATmega1284P can satisfy new applications with need for more than the previously available 64k Flash and 4k SRAM. The new device can reduce design footprint with double flash size and 4x SRAM size compared to existing picoPower megaAVR microcontrollers.

Atmel is targeting size-constrained, low-power, low performance applications. The small 44-pin package makes the ATmega1284P ideal for applications such as wireless and ethernet nodes, home automation and other code-intensive battery or signal-line powered products, combined with its ultra-low-power consumption, 128 KB of flash and 16 KB of random access memory (RAM).

"With 16 KB of SRAM, Atmel's ATmega1284P now targets low-power applications that traditionally need external SRAM," said Ingar Fredriksen, AVR Product Marketing Director. The ATmega1284P is pin- and feature-compatible to the ATmega164PA, ATmega324PA, and ATmega644PA. The four devices provide a drop-in migration path from 16 to 128 KB of flash and 1 to 16 KB of RAM. The ATmega1284P consumes 100 nA in power-down mode, 700 nA in power-save mode and 0.45 mA in active mode at 1.8 V and 1 MHz.

The ATmega1284P is now available as a standalone product. The product is also available in Atmel's RZRAVEN evaluation and starter kits and in wireless bundles.

The large flash and RAM, low pin count, and low power consumption makes the ATmega1284P an interesting device for many applications.

Availability and Pricing
According to Atmel, samples of the ATmega1284P are available now. The device has a suggested retail price of $3.31 in 10K quantities.

This microcontroller provides enough memory to compete with some 32-bit chips. Pricing as suggested is competitive, at least not more expensive than a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 device with similar memory configuration. The low pin count is a feature rarely found on 32-bit and the very low stand by current really helps to address applications in need of long battery live and without the need for speed that a 32-bit could offer.