Microchip Technology 24AA08-I/P

Overview

24AA08-I/P from Microchip Technology Inc. is an 8-Kbit I²C-compatible serial EEPROM organized as four 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 via the WP pin and supports 16-byte page writes for efficient data storage in embedded control systems.

For engineers reviewing the 24AA08-I/P datasheet, 24AA08-I/P pinout, 24AA08-I/P application, or 24AA08-I/P equivalent, key selection criteria include low-voltage operation down to 1.7V, Schmitt-trigger noise immunity on SDA/SCL, self-timed 5 ms write cycle, I²C address flexibility across four memory blocks, and PDIP-8 packaging for through-hole prototyping and legacy board compatibility.

Technical Context

The 24AA08-I/P implements a two-wire I²C interface with open-drain SDA/SCL pins requiring external pull-ups, and uses a fixed 4-bit device identifier (1010) plus 2-bit block select (B1/B0) to address its 1024-byte memory space. Its internal architecture includes a 16-byte page latch, HV generator for EEPROM programming, and address pointer logic enabling current-address, random, and sequential read modes.

Write protection is controlled solely by the WP pin state (VSS = enabled, VCC = disabled), with no internal A0–A2 connections - all three pins are unconnected and may be left floating. The device supports acknowledge polling to detect write completion and complies with I²C timing requirements including THD:STA ≥ 600 ns and TAA ≤ 900 ns at VCC ≥ 2.5V.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

24AA08-I/P is supplied in an 8-lead plastic dual in-line package (PDIP) with 300-mil body width, compatible with standard through-hole PCB assembly and socket-based development. Pin 1 is marked by a notch or dot; the exposed pad is not present in PDIP.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 24LC08B-I/P, the 24AA08-I/P adds true 1.7V operation critical for battery-backed systems; versus AT24C08D-PU, it delivers 4× faster I²C throughput and guaranteed industrial temperature performance - making it optimal for real-time embedded control where voltage margin and speed coexist.

Availability

24AA08-I/P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smart meter calibration storage, industrial PLC configuration backup, and medical device serial number logging requiring stable component supply across long-lifecycle production programs.

Supply support for 24AA08-I/P 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 microcontroller, analog, FPGA, and memory solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with global design and manufacturing operations.

The 24AA08-I/P belongs to Microchip's serial EEPROM product line, engineered for reliable, low-power nonvolatile data storage in space-constrained embedded systems where I²C simplicity and industrial-grade reliability are essential.

FAQ

What is the maximum I²C clock frequency supported by the 24AA08-I/P?

The 24AA08-I/P supports up to 400 kHz I²C clock frequency when VCC is 2.5V or higher. At VCC between 1.7V and 2.5V, the maximum clock frequency is reduced to 100 kHz to ensure timing margin. This dual-speed capability allows the 24AA08-I/P to operate reliably across both modern low-voltage microcontrollers and legacy 5V systems without protocol changes.

Does the 24AA08-I/P require external pull-up resistors on SDA and SCL lines?

Yes, the 24AA08-I/P requires external pull-up resistors on both SDA and SCL lines because these pins are open-drain. Recommended values are 10 kΩ for 100 kHz operation, 2 kΩ for 400 kHz, and lower values for noise-prone environments. The 24AA08-I/P itself does not integrate pull-ups, so omitting them will prevent proper I²C communication - a common root cause of initialization failure.

How does the WP pin function on the 24AA08-I/P?

The WP (Write-Protect) pin on the 24AA08-I/P is a hardware-level enable/disable control: when tied to VSS (ground), full read/write access is granted; when tied to VCC (supply), all write operations - including byte and page writes - are inhibited while reads remain functional. This feature is implemented entirely in silicon and requires no firmware interaction, making the 24AA08-I/P suitable for secure post-deployment parameter locking.

Can the 24AA08-I/P be used in automotive applications?

The 24AA08-I/P is not AEC-Q100 qualified. While it operates across the industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C), Microchip explicitly qualifies the 24LC08B and 24FC08 variants - not the 24AA08 - for automotive use per AEC-Q100. For automotive body control modules or infotainment systems, engineers should select the 24LC08B-I/P or 24FC08-I/P instead to meet qualification requirements; the 24AA08-I/P remains appropriate for industrial and consumer applications.

What is the memory organization of the 24AA08-I/P and how is it addressed?

The 24AA08-I/P contains 1024 bytes organized as four independent 256-byte blocks (000–0FF, 100–1FF, 200–2FF, 300–3FF). Addressing uses a 4-bit device code (1010) plus two block-select bits (B1/B0) in the I²C control byte, followed by an 8-bit word address within the selected block. This structure allows selective erasure prevention and modular firmware updates without disturbing unrelated configuration data stored elsewhere in the 24AA08-I/P array.