Microchip ATTINY3224-SSU 8-Bit Microcontroller Datasheet and Application Guide

The Microchip ATTINY3224-SSU represents a powerful and versatile entry in the modern 8-bit microcontroller landscape. As part of the enhanced ATtiny series leveraging the AVR® CPU architecture, this device combines robust performance with exceptional power efficiency, making it an ideal choice for a vast array of embedded control applications, from consumer electronics and IoT nodes to industrial automation and motor control.

Core Architecture and Performance

At its heart, the ATTINY3224 is built around a high-performance 8-bit AVR RISC CPU capable of operating at speeds up to 20 MHz. This core can execute instructions in a single clock cycle, achieving a throughput approaching 20 MIPS (Million Instructions Per Second). This efficiency ensures responsive and deterministic control for time-critical tasks. The microcontroller is further supported by a versatile Event System that allows peripheral-to-peripheral communication without CPU intervention, drastically reducing power consumption and latency in interconnected operations.

Key Features and On-Chip Peripherals

The ATTINY3224-SSU is packed with a rich set of integrated peripherals designed to minimize external component count and total system cost.

Memory: It features 32 KB of In-Circuit Self-Programmable Flash memory for application code, 2 KB of SRAM for data handling, and 256B of EEPROM for storing non-volatile parameters.

Advanced Analog: The device includes a sophisticated Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) with up to 11 channels and differential and single-ended input options, alongside a 10-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC). This analog suite is complemented by two analog comparators (AC), providing ample resources for sensor interfacing and signal conditioning.

Timing and Control: Multiple 16-bit timers/counters (TCA and TCB) offer a wide range of operating modes, including Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) generation for precise control of LEDs, motors, and other actuators.

Communication Interfaces: Standard serial communication is well-covered with USART, SPI, and I2C interfaces, enabling seamless connectivity with a host of sensors, displays, and other microcontrollers.

Packaging: The ‘SSU’ suffix denotes a 20-pin SOIC package, which is easy to prototype with and suitable for automated assembly processes.

Power Efficiency and System Management

A standout feature of this microcontroller is its ultra-low power consumption. It supports multiple sleep modes (Idle, Standby, Power-Down) where power consumption can drop to nanoamps, crucial for battery-powered applications. It can operate from a wide voltage range (1.8V to 5.5V), allowing it to run directly from batteries like Li-ion cells or two AA cells without a regulator. An integrated Programmable Brown-Out Detector (BOD) and an internal 20/24 MHz oscillator enhance reliability while minimizing external parts.

Application Guide Highlights

Implementing the ATTINY3224 is streamlined by Microchip’s comprehensive development ecosystem. Using the Atmel START online tool or MPLAB® X IDE, developers can quickly generate initialization code and software libraries. The tinyAVR® 2-series is supported by the Curiosity Nano evaluation board, which includes an onboard debugger, making it simple to program, debug, and evaluate the MCU's capabilities. Common applications include:

IoT Sensor Nodes: Leveraging its analog features and low-power sleep modes to read sensors and transmit data wirelessly.

Consumer Electronics: Controlling user interfaces, LED lighting effects, and small motor drives in appliances and toys.

System Management: Functioning as a intelligent power management controller or a fan speed controller in larger systems.

ICGOODFIND: The Microchip ATTINY3224-SSU is a highly capable 8-bit microcontroller that successfully bridges the gap between simple 8-bit cores and more complex 32-bit architectures. Its potent combination of high computational performance, a rich peripheral set, and exceptional power efficiency makes it a superior choice for designers looking to maximize functionality and battery life in space- and cost-constrained designs. Its modern development tools significantly accelerate time-to-market.

Keywords: ATTINY3224, Low-Power, AVR Microcontroller, Embedded Control, Peripheral Integration