90S4434

AT90S4434/8535: 8-Bit AVR® Microcontroller Technical Summary

Overview

The AT90S4434/8535 is a low-power CMOS 8-bit microcontroller based on the AVR® enhanced RISC architecture. This microcontroller family delivers high performance while maintaining low power consumption, making it suitable for a wide range of embedded applications. With its ability to execute most instructions in a single clock cycle, the AT90S4434/8535 achieves throughputs approaching 1 MIPS per MHz, providing system designers with flexibility in balancing power consumption and processing speed.

The device comes in two variants: the AT90S4434 with 4KB Flash memory and the AT90S8535 with 8KB Flash memory. Both versions feature integrated EEPROM, SRAM, and a rich set of peripherals including ADC, timers, PWM channels, and communication interfaces.

Key Features

• Advanced RISC Architecture: 118 powerful instructions with most executing in single clock cycle
• Memory Options:
  • 4K/8K bytes of In-System Programmable Flash (AT90S4434/8535 respectively)
  • 256/512 bytes EEPROM (AT90S4434/8535 respectively)
  • 256/512 bytes Internal SRAM (AT90S4434/8535 respectively)
• Analog Capabilities:
  • 8-channel, 10-bit ADC
  • On-chip analog comparator
• Timer/Counter Resources:
  • Two 8-bit Timer/Counters with separate prescalers
  • One 16-bit Timer/Counter with capture and compare modes
  • Three PWM channels
• Communication Interfaces:
  • Programmable Serial UART
  • SPI interface for In-System Programming
• Power Management: Three sleep modes (Idle, Power Save, Power Down)
• Clock Options: Supports both internal and external clock sources
• Security Features: Programming lock for software protection

Applications

The AT90S4434/8535 microcontroller is suitable for a wide range of embedded control applications, including:

• Industrial control systems
• Consumer electronics
• Automotive systems
• Home automation devices
• Medical instrumentation
• Sensor interfaces
• Motor control systems
• Security systems
• Portable battery-powered devices

Electrical Characteristics

Operating Conditions

• Operating Voltage:
  • Standard versions (AT90S4434/8535): 4.0V - 6.0V
  • Low-voltage versions (AT90LS4434/8535): 2.7V - 6.0V
• Speed Grades:
  • Standard versions: 0 - 8 MHz
  • Low-voltage versions: 0 - 4 MHz
• Power Consumption: Optimized for low-power operation with multiple sleep modes

Memory Specifications

• Flash Memory:
  • Endurance: 1,000 write/erase cycles
  • SPI interface for in-system programming
• EEPROM:
  • Endurance: 100,000 write/erase cycles

Analog Characteristics

• ADC:
  • 8 input channels
  • 10-bit resolution
  • Conversion time dependent on clock speed
• Analog Comparator:
  • Built-in comparator with programmable input selection

Package Information

The AT90S4434/8535 is available in multiple package options to suit different application requirements:

• 40-pin PDIP (Plastic Dual In-line Package):
  • Standard through-hole package
  • Easy to prototype with
• 44-pin TQFP (Thin Quad Flat Package):
  • Surface-mount package
  • Compact footprint for space-constrained applications
• 44-pin PLCC (Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier):
  • Surface-mount package with leads on all four sides
  • Suitable for socketed applications

Development Support

The AT90S4434/8535 is supported by a comprehensive development ecosystem:

• Development Tools:
  • AVR Studio IDE
  • GCC-based compiler toolchains
  • Debuggers and programmers
• Evaluation Boards: Available for rapid prototyping
• Application Notes: Extensive documentation for various use cases
• Reference Designs: Example implementations for common applications

Conclusion

The AT90S4434/8535 microcontroller family provides an excellent balance of performance, power efficiency, and peripheral integration for embedded control applications. With its advanced RISC architecture, flexible memory options, and comprehensive set of integrated peripherals, this microcontroller is well-suited for a wide range of applications from simple control tasks to more complex embedded systems. The availability of low-voltage versions extends its usefulness to battery-powered applications where power efficiency is critical.

The combination of in-system programmability, robust development tools, and multiple package options makes the AT90S4434/8535 a versatile choice for both prototyping and production implementations. Its rich feature set and proven AVR architecture continue to make it a popular choice among embedded system designers.