Microchip Technology 11LC160-I/SN

Overview

11LC160-I/SN from Microchip Technology Inc. is a 16 Kbit (2,048 × 8) serial EEPROM with UNI/O® single I/O bus interface, operating from 2.5V to 5.5V over -40°C to +85°C. It features 16-byte page-write buffer, Schmitt-trigger SCIO input, output slope control, and 100 kbps max bit rate. Used for firmware parameter storage in space-constrained industrial controllers.

For engineers reviewing the 11LC160-I/SN datasheet, 11LC160-I/SN pinout, 11LC160-I/SN application, or 11LC160-I/SN equivalent, key selection considerations include its 3-lead SOT-23 package, UNI/O® protocol timing tolerance (±0.5% frequency drift per byte), standby current ≤1 µA, write endurance of 1 million cycles, and block write protection configuration via STATUS register.

Technical Context

The 11LC160-I/SN implements Manchester-encoded UNI/O® communication on a single SCIO line, extracting clock and data from one bidirectional signal. Its internal re-synchronization circuitry tracks master clock period during each MAK bit, tolerating ±0.06 UI input edge jitter and ±5% cumulative frequency deviation per command.

It uses an 8-bit instruction register and supports full read/write/erase operations including RDSR/WRSR, CRRD, ERAL, and SETAL. The STATUS register provides real-time WIP and WEL status plus BP0/BP1 nonvolatile block protection bits, enabling dynamic write-enable management and partial array locking without hardware pins.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

11LC160-I/SN is packaged in 3-lead SOT-23 (SN suffix), with SCIO, VSS, and VCC terminals. No NC pins. Pin 1 = SCIO, Pin 2 = VSS, Pin 3 = VCC (top-down view, standard SOT-23 orientation).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar serial EEPROM applications.

Compared with 11AA160-I/SN, the 11LC160-I/SN trades 1.8V operation for guaranteed 2.5V minimum and E-temp availability; compared with 25LC160-I/SN, it saves two I/O pins and simplifies firmware but requires UNI/O®-capable host drivers.

Availability

11LC160-I/SN is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration, medical device configuration, and automotive body control modules requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for 11LC160-I/SN includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Microchip Technology Inc. is a U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturer specializing in microcontrollers, analog devices, and memory products, with global design and manufacturing infrastructure.

The 11LC160-I/SN belongs to Microchip's UNI/O® serial EEPROM family, designed specifically for cost-sensitive, space-constrained embedded systems needing minimal-pin-count nonvolatile storage with high reliability and low power.

FAQ

What is the UNI/O® interface used by the 11LC160-I/SN?

The 11LC160-I/SN uses Microchip's patented UNI/O® bus, a single-wire, Manchester-encoded serial interface that combines clock and data on the SCIO line. This eliminates separate clock lines and reduces MCU pin count. The 11LC160-I/SN requires no external components beyond a pull-up resistor and supports bit rates up to 100 kbps with built-in re-synchronization to tolerate master clock drift and jitter.

Does the 11LC160-I/SN support write protection, and how is it configured?

Yes, the 11LC160-I/SN supports block write protection via BP0 and BP1 bits in its nonvolatile STATUS register. These bits can be set using the WRSR command to protect 0%, 25%, 50%, or 100% of the memory array. Protection is enforced at the hardware level and remains active after power cycles. The 11LC160-I/SN also includes power-on write disable and a write enable latch (WEL) that must be set before any write operation.

What is the maximum write speed and page size of the 11LC160-I/SN?

The 11LC160-I/SN has a fixed page size of 16 bytes and supports page-write operations - up to 16 bytes can be loaded into the internal buffer and written in a single self-timed cycle. Maximum write cycle time is 10 ms for page writes. The device does not support faster random writes; attempting to cross page boundaries causes address wraparound within the same physical page.

Can the 11LC160-I/SN operate at 1.8V?

No, the 11LC160-I/SN is specified for 2.5V to 5.5V operation only. For 1.8V systems, Microchip offers the functionally identical 11AA160-I/SN, which shares the same 16 Kbit density, SOT-23 package, and UNI/O® interface but extends VCC down to 1.8V. The 11LC160-I/SN and 11AA160-I/SN are not interchangeable at the electrical level due to differing VCC minima.

How does the 11LC160-I/SN handle power loss during a write cycle?

The 11LC160-I/SN incorporates hardware power-loss protection: the write enable latch resets on power-on reset (POR) or brown-out reset (BOR), preventing partial writes. Additionally, its self-timed write cycle ensures completion once initiated - no host intervention is required. Data retention exceeds 200 years, and endurance is rated at 1 million cycles, making the 11LC160-I/SN suitable for applications with infrequent but mission-critical updates.