Microchip Technology 23AA02M-I/ST

Overview

23AA02M-I/ST from Microchip Technology is a 2-Mbit serial SRAM with SPI/SDI/SQI interface, operating from 1.7V to 3.6V across -40°C to +85°C. It delivers 143 MHz max clock frequency in SQI mode, features built-in ECC logic for data integrity, and supports byte/page/sequential read/write with user-selectable 32- or 256-byte page sizes. It is used in industrial embedded systems requiring fast, low-power, nonvolatile-capable memory with flexible bus protocols.

For engineers reviewing the 23AA02M-I/ST datasheet, 23AA02M-I/ST pinout, 23AA02M-I/ST application, or 23AA02M-I/ST equivalent, this device serves as a high-speed, low-voltage serial RAM alternative to legacy SPI EEPROMs and parallel SRAMs where board space, power budget, and interface scalability matter - especially in battery-backed or real-time data logging subsystems.

Technical Context

The 23AA02M-I/ST implements a triple-mode serial interface: default SPI (mode 0/3), configurable SDI (2-bit multiplexed I/O), and SQI (4-bit multiplexed I/O), enabling 2× and 4× throughput scaling at same clock frequency. Its internal ECC logic detects and corrects single-bit errors during reads, latching status in the STATUS register's ECS bit.

It uses an 8-lead SOIC package (ST suffix) with dedicated CS, SCK, SI/SIO0, SO/SIO1, HOLD/SIO3, VSS, and VCC pins - no VBAT or NC pins - distinguishing it from the 14-lead 23LCV02M. Power-up behavior requires CS low before command initiation, and standby current is 70 µA typical at 25°C.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

23AA02M-I/ST is supplied in an 8-lead SOIC package (ST suffix), pin-compatible with industry-standard 150-mil SOIC footprints. No VBAT or NC pins are present - unlike the 14-lead 23LCV02M variant.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with CY14B102QN-SP and W25Q20EW, the 23AA02M-I/ST uniquely combines 143 MHz SQI bandwidth, hardware ECC, and true SRAM endurance in an 8-pin SOIC - making it optimal for high-throughput, reliability-critical volatile memory tasks where flash latency or nvSRAM complexity is prohibitive.

Availability

23AA02M-I/ST is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial data loggers, real-time sensor hubs, programmable logic controllers, medical diagnostic monitors, and battery-backed embedded controllers requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for 23AA02M-I/ST 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 leading provider of microcontrollers, analog components, and memory solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with global design and manufacturing operations.

The 23AA02M belongs to Microchip's serial SRAM product line, engineered for low-power, high-reliability embedded systems that demand faster, more robust alternatives to legacy SPI EEPROMs and parallel SRAMs.

FAQ

What is the maximum clock frequency supported by the 23AA02M-I/ST in each interface mode?

The 23AA02M-I/ST supports up to 40 MHz in standard SPI mode for READ (0x03) instructions, and up to 143 MHz in all modes - including SPI, SDI, and SQI - for High-Speed READ (0x0B) and all other commands. This 143 MHz capability applies to both read and write operations when using the High-Speed Read instruction or any command in SDI/SQI mode, as confirmed in Table 3-1 and AC Characteristics (DS20006861A-page 4).

Does the 23AA02M-I/ST include built-in error correction, and how is it implemented?

Yes, the 23AA02M-I/ST includes on-chip Error Correction Code (ECC) logic that automatically detects and corrects single-bit errors during read operations. The ECC status is latched in the STATUS register's ECS bit (bit 13), which reads '1' only when ECC was invoked on the previous read. This hardware ECC requires no firmware intervention and is active across all interface modes and temperature ranges.

Can the 23AA02M-I/ST operate from a 1.8V supply, and what is its minimum functional voltage?

Yes, the 23AA02M-I/ST is fully specified to operate from 1.7V to 3.6V, so 1.8V is well within its valid V_CC range. Its absolute minimum supply voltage is 1.7V, and it maintains full functionality - including 143 MHz SQI operation and ECC - across the entire industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C) at this voltage, as stated in the Device Selection Table and DC Characteristics (D001).

Is the 23AA02M-I/ST pin-compatible with the 23LCV02M, and what are the key package differences?

No, the 23AA02M-I/ST is not pin-compatible with the 23LCV02M. The 23AA02M-I/ST uses an 8-lead SOIC (ST) package with pins CS, SO/SIO1, SI/SIO0, SCK, HOLD/SIO3, VSS, and VCC - no VBAT or NC pins. In contrast, the 23LCV02M uses a 14-lead package with VBAT, six NC pins, and different pin numbering - as explicitly noted in the Device Selection Table footnote: "23AA02M is only available in 8-lead while 23LCV02M is only available in 14-lead."

How does page size selection affect write performance in the 23AA02M-I/ST?

Page size in the 23AA02M-I/ST is user-selectable via STATUS register bit 8: 32 bytes (default) or 256 bytes. Larger pages reduce command overhead per byte written - e.g., a 256-byte page write requires one command + address instead of eight 32-byte writes - improving effective throughput in sequential logging or buffer dump scenarios, while smaller pages offer finer granularity for sparse variable updates.