Embedded applications normally spend their time either in active or in sleep mode – some periods the CPU is running code and processing something while the rest of the time the microcontroller is waiting or idling and should stay in a low power mode. With more and more portable and hand-held applications, wireless networks and sensors, and battery operated appliances, sleep modes have become important. Nevertheless it is equally important that the MCU is able to deliver performance without ruining the power budget while the CPU is active. Atmel's picoPower™ technology saves energy while maintaining MCU performance. picoPower enabled microcontrollers incorporate a number of techniques for reducing the power consumption in both active and sleep modes and still react quickly from any sleep mode.