ATmega328P: 8-bit AVR Microcontrollers

The ATmega328P is an 8-bit AVR microcontroller chip developed by Atmel (which was acquired by Microchip Technology in 2016). It is a common component in Arduino robotics, and is often praised for its high performance with low power consumption. Designed for very high processing speeds,  the ATmega328P includes many special features to optimize power usage and processing efficiency. All of its features are itemized in its datasheet.

The ATmega328P Datasheet

The ATmega328P datasheet describes the component as capable of handling complex instructions within a single clock cycle. This is possible because the chip is optimized for maximum efficiency and minimum power usage. 131 unique instructions are possible within the chip’s registers, and combinations of those instructions allow for high variability and fast execution. The ATmega328P connects all its general purpose registers to its arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which allows instructions in two different registers to be executed at the same time. Using a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) architecture, the ATmega328P can process instructions up to 10 times faster than other comparable microcontrollers. This processing power is reliable throughout a wide temperature range, from -40 to 125 degrees Celsius. Its versatility makes it ideal for jobs consumers rely on, such as control within automobiles.

A key feature of the ATmega328P is that programmers can customize its functionality through targeted programming of its registers. The datasheet includes many code samples in assembly language. For programming ease, the datasheet also translates its assembly language samples into C code. The chip’s memory and its execution registers are both programmable, and the ATmega328P includes 32KB of onboard flash memory. This memory can be reprogrammed through multiple interfaces on the chip, and the flash memory does not interfere with execution in the general purpose registers. Designers can rely on the flash memory to handle at least 10,000 write/erase cycles. Since the flash memory is so flexible, security is a foremost concern. The memory is divided into two sections: a boot loader and an application program section.

Considerations When Using the ATmega328P

The ATmega328P is part of the ATmega328 product line. This product line contains multiple 8-bit microcontrollers of different shapes, pin configurations, and sizes. Designers should be careful when choosing the proper microcontroller for their project since the members of the product line are not interchangeable. The ATmega328P has two variants of its own, one 5 mm square and the other 7 mm square.

Since memory on the ATmega328P is programmable, this introduces the capacity for software bugs with the potential to impact processor execution. For less experienced programmers or designers, this could make it difficult to distinguish between hardware and software bugs when testing a project. 

The ATmega328P does not contain a C compiler, so programmers must choose their own. Some C compilers do not contain certain bit definitions in their header files. Without these bit definitions, C code for the registers and memory will not compile, even if the code is correct. Programmers should look in the documentation for their C compiler to determine whether these bit definitions are properly supported.

The size of the flash memory boot loader section is modifiable, and the ATmega328P allows code to be read from memory at the exact same time as new code is being written. Since the boot loader section can write to itself, it means it is possible for incorrect code to overwrite the ability for the chip to boot properly. Proper maintenance of this feature allows programmers to modify boot instructions dynamically, but this should only be done with a thorough understanding of how this parallel execution works. This read-while-write functionality is a form of parallel programming, even though it’s only on one chip.

Special ATmega328P Features

The ATmega328P has specialized features for power management: a brown-out mode and six different sleep modes. The brown-out detector (BOD) is not enabled by default, but when enabled, monitors the power consumption in sleep modes. Some sleep modes allow disabling of the BOD, which can save power, but this may also put other operations at risk if power is unexpectedly lost. While sleep mode is usually a simple idle, the sleep modes for the ATmega328P distinguish between idle, noise reduction, power down, power save, standby, and extended standby. Each of these states rely on different stimuli to know when the chip should wake up again.

All functions of the ATmega328P are optimized for speed, but depending on the type of programming or data writing being done, different operations are completed in different time periods. Assuming nothing impedes the writing operations, the ATmega328P can write or erase data within a time interval of 1.7 to 4.5 milliseconds. This range of time can either be helpful or a hindrance to programmers, depending on how they handle chip interrupts during the writing process. Programmers should not rely on all writes happening in the same amount of time. In addition, programmers should be aware of the many different potential interrupt sources in both the hardware and software of the ATmega328P. This gives fine-grained control over execution and writing but can be difficult to master without the datasheet.

Ultra Librarian provides multiple variants of ATmega328P microcontrollers, and every one contains high-quality RISC architecture for lightning-fast execution.  Working with Ultra Librarian takes the guesswork out of preparing for your next great device, and puts your ideas on the road to success. Register today for free.