Microchip Technology 24AA04/SN

Overview

24AA04/SN from Microchip Technology Inc. is a 4-Kbit I²C-compatible serial EEPROM organized as two 256 × 8-bit blocks, operating from 1.7V to 5.5V with 400 kHz max clock frequency, 1 µA standby current, and industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C). It features hardware write-protection, 16-byte page write buffer, and Schmitt-trigger inputs for noise immunity in embedded control and sensor calibration storage.

For engineers reviewing the 24AA04/SN datasheet, 24AA04/SN pinout, 24AA04/SN application, or 24AA04/SN equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical specs, SOIC-8 package layout, I²C timing compliance at 1.7V–5.5V, endurance (1M cycles), and data retention (>200 years) - all confirmed for the SN variant per DS20001708P.

Technical Context

The 24AA04/SN implements a two-wire I²C interface with fixed 4-bit device code (1010b), block-select addressing via B0 bit, and no internal connection to A0–A2 pins. Its memory architecture supports byte and page writes (up to 16 bytes/page), with self-timed erase/write cycles completing in ≤5 ms.

It uses on-chip HV generation for EEPROM programming, includes slope-controlled outputs to suppress ground bounce, and integrates Schmitt-trigger inputs with ≥50 mV hysteresis (0.05×VCC) for robust bus operation in electrically noisy environments.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

24AA04/SN is supplied in an 8-lead narrow SOIC (SN) package per Microchip drawing C04-057-SN Rev F: 3.90 mm body width, 1.27 mm pitch, 4.90 mm length, 1.75 mm molded thickness.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 24AA04/SN, 24LC04B/SN trades low-voltage operation for marginal cost reduction, while 24FC04/SN adds 1 MHz speed and +125°C rating without altering pinout or protocol - making both viable alternatives depending on voltage, speed, and thermal requirements.

Availability

24AA04/SN is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration, medical device configuration, automotive body control modules, and smart energy metering requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for 24AA04/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 leading provider of microcontrollers, analog, FPGA, and memory solutions, serving industrial, automotive, and consumer markets with high-reliability silicon and development tools.

The 24AA04 belongs to Microchip's 24XX04 family of I²C EEPROMs, designed specifically for space-constrained, low-power embedded systems requiring robust, long-life nonvolatile storage with minimal external components.

FAQ

What is the minimum supply voltage required for reliable operation of the 24AA04/SN?

The 24AA04/SN operates reliably down to 1.7V across its full industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C), as specified in DS20001708P Section 1.0. This allows direct interfacing with 1.8V logic families without level shifters. Below 2.5V, the maximum I²C clock frequency reduces to 100 kHz to maintain timing margins - a constraint explicitly defined for the 24AA04/SN in Table 1-2.

Does the 24AA04/SN support standard I²C addressing, and how many devices can share the same bus?

Yes, the 24AA04/SN uses standard I²C 7-bit addressing with a fixed 4-bit device code (1010b) and two "don't care" bits, resulting in a base address of 0xA0 (write) / 0xA1 (read). Since pins A0–A2 are unconnected and unused, only one 24AA04/SN can reside on a given I²C bus unless external multiplexing is added - unlike variants with configurable A0–A2, the 24AA04/SN has no hardware address select capability.

How does the write-protect (WP) pin function on the 24AA04/SN, and what happens when it is asserted?

When the WP pin of the 24AA04/SN is tied to VCC, all write operations (byte and page) to the entire 4-Kbit memory array (addresses 000h–1FFh) are inhibited; read operations remain fully functional. When WP is tied to VSS (or left floating, though not recommended), normal read/write access is enabled. This hardware-level protection prevents accidental overwrites during power transitions or firmware errors - a key reliability feature confirmed in Section 2.4 and Figure 6-1 of DS20001708P.

What is the maximum page write size supported by the 24AA04/SN, and are there boundary restrictions?

The 24AA04/SN supports a 16-byte page write buffer, allowing up to 16 sequential bytes to be written in a single I²C transaction. However, page writes are constrained to physical page boundaries: each page starts at addresses divisible by 16 (e.g., 0x00, 0x10, 0x20) and ends at addresses 15 higher (e.g., 0x0F, 0x1F). Attempting to cross a boundary causes wraparound within the same page - a behavior explicitly documented in Section 6.2 and Figure 6-2 of DS20001708P.

Is the 24AA04/SN qualified for automotive applications, and what certifications does it hold?

The 24AA04/SN itself is not AEC-Q100 qualified; however, the broader 24XX04 family includes AEC-Q100 qualified variants (e.g., 24AA04T-I/SN for industrial grade, and 24AA04T-E/SN for extended temperature). The 24AA04/SN is rated for industrial temperature (–40°C to +85°C) and RoHS compliance per DS20001708P, making it suitable for non-safety-critical automotive subsystems like infotainment or body electronics - but not for powertrain or ADAS where AEC-Q100 is mandatory.