Microchip Technology 24AA014-I/MC

Overview

24AA014-I/MC from Microchip Technology is a 1 Kbit (128 × 8) I²C-compatible serial EEPROM with hardware write protection, operating from 1.7V to 5.5V. It supports 400 kHz clock speed at V_CC ≥ 1.8V, delivers 1 µA standby current and 1 mA active current, and features a 16-byte page write buffer. It is used for nonvolatile parameter storage in microcontroller-based systems requiring low-voltage operation and industrial-temperature reliability.

For engineers reviewing the 24AA014-I/MC datasheet, 24AA014-I/MC pinout, 24AA014-I/MC application, or 24AA014-I/MC equivalent, key selection criteria include its 1.7V minimum supply, hardware WP pin, 128-byte memory organization, and compatibility with multi-device I²C buses up to eight nodes.

Technical Context

The 24AA014-I/MC implements a two-wire I²C interface with Schmitt-trigger inputs on SDA and SCL, supporting standard-mode (100 kHz) and fast-mode (400 kHz) timing. Its internal address counter enables sequential reads across the full 128-byte array, with automatic rollover from address 0x7F to 0x00.

Write operations use an on-chip 16-byte page buffer and self-timed erase-and-program cycle (≤5 ms), with hardware write protection activated by tying the WP pin high. Addressing uses a fixed 4-bit control code (1010b) plus three chip-select bits (A2–A0), enabling up to eight devices on one bus - though A2 is omitted in the SOT-23 variant, limiting it to four devices.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

24AA014-I/MC is packaged in an 8-lead MSOP (Micro Small Outline Package) with exposed pad, rated for industrial temperature (−40°C to +85°C). Pin 1 is laser-marked; the exposed pad may be connected to VSS or left floating.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 24LC014-I/MC, the 24AA014-I/MC enables lower-voltage operation critical for modern mixed-signal systems, while the AT24C01D-SSHM-T trades hardware write protection for broader vendor availability - making the 24AA014-I/MC optimal for safety- or reliability-sensitive 1.8V designs.

Availability

24AA014-I/MC is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration, medical device configuration, smart meter parameter storage, and automotive body control module applications requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for 24AA014-I/MC 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 is a U.S.-based semiconductor company specializing in microcontrollers, analog devices, and memory products, with a focus on embedded control and connectivity solutions.

The 24AA014-I/MC belongs to Microchip's legacy serial EEPROM family designed for reliable, low-power nonvolatile storage in cost-sensitive industrial and consumer systems where simplicity and long-term data integrity are essential.

FAQ

What is the minimum supply voltage required for reliable operation of the 24AA014-I/MC?

The 24AA014-I/MC operates reliably down to 1.7V across its full industrial temperature range (−40°C to +85°C). At V_CC < 1.8V, maximum clock frequency is limited to 100 kHz; above 1.8V, it supports up to 400 kHz. This makes the 24AA014-I/MC suitable for direct interfacing with 1.8V microcontrollers and battery-powered systems experiencing voltage sag. The 24AA014-I/MC maintains full functionality-including page writes and hardware write protection-at all voltages within this range.

Does the 24AA014-I/MC require external pull-up resistors on the I²C bus lines?

Yes, the 24AA014-I/MC requires external pull-up resistors on both SDA and SCL lines because its I/O pins are open-drain. For 100 kHz operation, a 10 kΩ pull-up is typical; for 400 kHz, a 2 kΩ value is recommended to meet rise-time requirements. These resistors connect to the same V_CC rail powering the 24AA014-I/MC. Failure to install appropriate pull-ups will result in bus communication failure. The 24AA014-I/MC itself does not integrate pull-up circuitry.

How many 24AA014-I/MC devices can be connected to a single I²C bus?

Up to eight 24AA014-I/MC devices can share a single I²C bus using the A0, A1, and A2 address pins to configure unique 3-bit slave addresses. Each pin must be hardwired to either VSS or VCC to set its logic level. The 24AA014-I/MC uses the standard I²C 7-bit address format with base code 1010b, followed by these three chip-select bits. This allows contiguous 8 Kbit addressing when multiple units are deployed - a capability confirmed in the device's functional description and bus timing specifications.

What is the purpose and behavior of the WP (Write-Protect) pin on the 24AA014-I/MC?

The WP pin on the 24AA014-I/MC provides hardware-level write inhibition: when tied to VCC, all write operations (byte and page) to the EEPROM array are blocked, though read operations remain fully functional. When tied to VSS, normal read/write access is enabled. This feature is implemented entirely in hardware and cannot be overridden by software commands. The 24AA014-I/MC acknowledges write attempts even when WP is active, but no data is stored - ensuring bus protocol compliance while preventing corruption. This behavior is explicitly defined in Section 6.3 of the datasheet.

Can the 24AA014-I/MC perform sequential reads across its entire 128-byte memory space?

Yes, the 24AA014-I/MC supports sequential reads across all 128 bytes using its internal address counter, which automatically increments after each byte transfer and rolls over from address 0x7F to 0x00. This is confirmed in Section 8.3 ("Sequential Read") of the datasheet, which states the device "allows the entire memory contents to be serially read during one operation." No address retransmission is needed - the master sends a single START, the slave address with R/W=1, and then acknowledges each byte until issuing a STOP. This capability is intrinsic to the 24AA014-I/MC's architecture and requires no special initialization.