Microchip Technology 24AA08/P

Overview

24AA08/P from Microchip Technology Inc. is an 8-Kbit I²C-compatible serial EEPROM organized as four 256 × 8-bit memory blocks. It operates from 1.7V to 5.5V, supports up to 400 kHz clock frequency (100 kHz below 2.5V), features hardware write-protection via the WP pin, and delivers ≤1 µA standby current at industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C). It is commonly used in embedded system configuration storage, sensor calibration data retention, and power-management parameter backup.

For engineers reviewing the 24AA08/P datasheet, 24AA08/P pinout, 24AA08/P application, or 24AA08/P equivalent, this page provides verified electrical specifications, SOIC-8 package layout, I²C timing constraints, endurance and retention metrics, and validated alternative parts for design-in flexibility and supply continuity.

Technical Context

The 24AA08/P implements a two-wire I²C interface with Schmitt-trigger inputs and slope-controlled outputs to suppress noise and eliminate ground bounce. Its internal architecture includes a 16-byte page write buffer, self-timed erase/write cycle, and address pointer logic supporting current-address, random, and sequential read modes.

It uses a fixed 4-bit device identifier (1010) with 2-bit block select (B1/B0) and R/W bit for addressing - enabling access to all 1024 bytes across four 256-word blocks. Write protection is controlled solely by the WP pin state (VSS = enabled, VCC = disabled), and no A0/A1/A2 pins are internally connected.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

24AA08/P is supplied in an 8-Lead Plastic Dual In-Line Package (PDIP), 300 mil body width, with standard through-hole mounting. Pin 1 is marked by a notch or dot; leads are tin-plated per JEDEC Level 3.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 24AA08/P, 24LC08B/P lacks 1.7V operation but matches its PDIP-8 footprint and I²C protocol, while 24FC08/P adds 1 MHz speed and extended temp rating at the cost of higher qualification effort - making 24AA08/P optimal for cost-sensitive 1.8V–5V industrial control applications.

Availability

24AA08/P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration, embedded system configuration, and power management backup requiring stable component supply across extended production lifecycles.

Supply support for 24AA08/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, and memory solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with global design and manufacturing infrastructure.

The 24AA08/P belongs to Microchip's legacy 24XX08 family of I²C EEPROMs, designed specifically for low-power, space-constrained embedded systems needing reliable, low-cost nonvolatile storage with minimal external components.

FAQ

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

The 24AA08/P supports up to 400 kHz when VCC is ≥2.5V. At VCC between 1.7V and 2.49V, the maximum clock frequency is reduced to 100 kHz to ensure reliable timing margins. This dual-speed behavior is built into the device's internal oscillator and does not require software configuration. Always consult the AC characteristics table in DS20001710M for setup/hold times at your operating voltage.

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

Yes, the 24AA08/P uses open-drain outputs on both SDA and SCL pins, mandating external pull-up resistors to VCC. Recommended values are 10 kΩ for 100 kHz operation and 2 kΩ for 400 kHz. The exact value depends on bus capacitance and rise-time requirements - lower resistance improves rise time but increases static current draw. No internal pull-ups are present.

Can the A0, A1, and A2 pins on the 24AA08/P be used to configure device addressing?

No - the A0, A1, and A2 pins on the 24AA08/P are not internally connected and serve no functional purpose. They may be left floating or tied to VSS or VCC without affecting operation. Device addressing is fixed to the 4-bit code '1010' plus 2-bit block select (B1/B0), yielding four selectable 256-byte memory blocks - no external address pins are required or utilized.

How does hardware write protection work on the 24AA08/P?

Hardware write protection on the 24AA08/P is controlled exclusively by the WP pin: tying WP to VCC disables all write operations (including byte and page writes) while permitting unrestricted reads; tying WP to VSS enables full read/write functionality. This is a hardwired logic-level feature - no register programming or I²C command is involved. Note that the Chip Scale Package variant omits WP support, but the 24AA08/P (PDIP) fully implements it.

What is the endurance and data retention specification for the 24AA08/P?

The 24AA08/P guarantees 1,000,000 erase/write cycles per memory location and 200 years of data retention at 25°C. These figures are characterized and specified under standard industrial conditions (TA = –40°C to +85°C, VCC = 1.7V–5.5V). Retention degrades logarithmically with temperature - at 85°C, expected retention exceeds 10 years. Endurance testing is performed in page mode per Microchip's qualification standards.