Microchip Technology 24AA1026-I/SM

Overview

24AA1026-I/SM from Microchip Technology is a 128K × 8 (1024 Kbit) I²C-compatible serial EEPROM with 1.7V–5.5V supply range, 400 kHz max clock (100 kHz below 2.5V), and industrial temperature rating (–40°C to +85°C). It features 128-byte page write buffer, hardware write-protection via WP pin, and Schmitt-trigger inputs for noise immunity - deployed in embedded system configuration storage, sensor calibration data retention, and power-fail-safe parameter logging.

For engineers reviewing the 24AA1026-I/SM datasheet, 24AA1026-I/SM pinout, 24AA1026-I/SM application, or 24AA1026-I/SM equivalent, key selection criteria include voltage compatibility down to 1.7V, guaranteed 1M endurance cycles, 200-year data retention, cascading support for up to four devices on one bus, and SOIC-8 package suitability for space-constrained industrial PCBs.

Technical Context

The 24AA1026-I/SM implements a two-wire I²C interface with slave address decoding using A1/A2 pins, enabling up to four devices per bus. Its internal architecture includes dual 512 Kbit memory blocks selected by the B0 bit, with sequential reads bounded within each 512K segment (00000h–0FFFFh and 10000h–1FFFFh).

It uses on-chip charge pump for EEPROM programming, supports byte and page writes (up to 128 bytes), and employs acknowledge polling to detect write completion. The device samples the WP pin at the Stop condition to enforce hardware write protection across the full 1024 Kbit array.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

24AA1026-I/SM is housed in an 8-lead SOIC package (3.90 mm width), RoHS-compliant, with standard JEDEC MS-012AC footprint and 1.27 mm pitch.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 24LC1026-I/P and AT24C1024-10PU-2.7, the 24AA1026-I/SM uniquely balances ultra-low-voltage operation (1.7V), industrial temperature range, and largest page buffer (128 bytes) - making it optimal for battery-powered, space-constrained, and high-reliability embedded storage.

Availability

24AA1026-I/SM is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration, embedded configuration backup, and power-fail safe event logging requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for 24AA1026-I/SM 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 24AA1026-I/SM belongs to Microchip's 24XX1026 family of I²C EEPROMs, engineered specifically for low-power, high-reliability nonvolatile data storage in industrial, automotive, and consumer applications demanding extended data retention and robust noise immunity.

FAQ

What is the minimum supply voltage supported by the 24AA1026-I/SM?

The 24AA1026-I/SM operates down to 1.7V, enabling direct interface with 1.8V logic families and battery-powered systems where voltage may sag below 2.5V. This is a key differentiator from the 24LC1026 variant, which requires ≥2.5V. The 24AA1026-I/SM maintains full 400 kHz I²C functionality above 2.5V and degrades gracefully to 100 kHz below 2.5V - ensuring interoperability across mixed-voltage designs.

How does the WP pin function on the 24AA1026-I/SM?

The WP (Write-Protect) pin on the 24AA1026-I/SM is sampled at the Stop condition of each I²C write command. When tied to VCC, it disables all write operations (byte and page) across the full 1024 Kbit array while permitting unrestricted reads. Tying WP to VSS enables normal write functionality. This hardware-level lock prevents accidental or malicious overwrites - a critical safeguard in safety-critical or field-deployed systems where software-only protection may be compromised.

Can multiple 24AA1026-I/SM devices share the same I²C bus?

Yes, up to four 24AA1026-I/SM devices can operate on a single I²C bus using the A1 and A2 address pins to configure unique 2-bit chip addresses (00, 01, 10, 11). Each device responds only to its assigned address, allowing scalable memory expansion to 4 Mbit total. The 24AA1026-I/SM's built-in Schmitt-trigger inputs and slew-rate-controlled outputs ensure signal integrity even with multiple devices loading the bus capacitance.

What is the page write buffer size of the 24AA1026-I/SM, and why does it matter?

The 24AA1026-I/SM features a 128-byte page write buffer - the largest among Microchip's 1-Mbit I²C EEPROMs. This allows up to 128 bytes of data to be loaded into the buffer and written to memory with a single Stop condition, reducing I²C transaction overhead and improving write throughput. It also enhances data integrity: during a page write, the entire 128-byte page is refreshed, guaranteeing consistent endurance wear across the block - critical for long-life calibration storage.

Does the 24AA1026-I/SM support sequential reads across its full memory space?

No, sequential reads on the 24AA1026-I/SM are limited to 512 Kbit segments due to internal addressing boundaries: 00000h–0FFFFh and 10000h–1FFFFh. After reaching the end of either segment (e.g., 0FFFFh), the internal address pointer rolls over to the start of that same segment (00000h), not to the next segment. To read across the full 1024 Kbit array, software must issue separate random read commands for each 512 Kbit block - a constraint explicitly defined in the 24AA1026-I/SM functional specification.