Microchip Technology 24LC025-E/MS

Overview

24LC025-E/MS from Microchip Technology Inc. is a 2 Kbit I²C-compatible serial EEPROM organized as 256 × 8-bit memory, operating from 2.5V to 5.5V with industrial and automotive temperature support (–40°C to +125°C), 400 kHz max clock, 16-byte page write buffer, and no internal WP pin connection. It serves as nonvolatile configuration storage in automotive body controllers, industrial sensor nodes, and embedded power management systems.

For engineers reviewing the 24LC025-E/MS datasheet, 24LC025-E/MS pinout, 24LC025-E/MS application, or 24LC025-E/MS equivalent, key selection criteria include its SOT-23-6 package footprint, absence of hardware write-protection, automotive-grade reliability, and compatibility with standard I²C bus timing at 400 kHz under VCC ≥ 2.5V.

Technical Context

The 24LC025-E/MS implements a two-wire I²C slave interface with Schmitt-trigger inputs and noise-filtered SDA/SCL pins, supporting up to eight devices on one bus via A0/A1 address bits (A2 not connected in SOT-23). Its internal address pointer auto-increments during sequential reads and wraps from 0xFF to 0x00.

Write operations are self-timed with ≤5 ms byte/page cycle time; acknowledge polling is required to detect completion. The device lacks internal WP functionality - unlike 24LC024 - and uses open-drain SDA with external pull-up, requiring master-controlled start/stop conditions per I²C protocol.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

24LC025-E/MS is supplied in a Pb-free, RoHS-compliant 6-lead SOT-23 package (3.0 mm × 1.7 mm × 1.1 mm), optimized for space-constrained automotive and portable applications. Pin 1 is laser-marked; A2 is not internally connected.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 24LC025-E/MS, the 24LC025-I/MS offers identical functionality at lower cost for non-automotive use, while AT24C02-MAHM-T adds WP capability and faster clock support but introduces pinout and protection logic differences requiring firmware and layout validation.

Availability

24LC025-E/MS is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body electronics, industrial sensor calibration, and medical device configuration storage requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for 24LC025-E/MS 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 24LCxx family delivers cost-optimized, I²C-compatible EEPROMs targeting automotive, industrial, and consumer applications where reliable, low-power nonvolatile storage is essential for configuration, calibration, and event logging.

FAQ

What is the maximum I²C clock frequency supported by the 24LC025-E/MS?

The 24LC025-E/MS supports up to 400 kHz I²C clock frequency when VCC is 2.5V or higher. At VCC < 2.5V, the maximum clock drops to 100 kHz. This dual-speed capability ensures interoperability with legacy 100 kHz systems while enabling faster configuration loads in modern 400 kHz designs. The 24LC025-E/MS datasheet specifies strict timing margins for THIGH, TLOW, and setup/hold times to guarantee reliable communication at both speeds.

Does the 24LC025-E/MS have a hardware write-protect (WP) pin?

No, the 24LC025-E/MS does not include a functional WP pin - it is not internally connected. Unlike the 24LC024 variant, this device relies solely on software-based write protection through command sequencing. This simplifies PCB layout by eliminating the need for an external WP pull-up/down resistor. The 24LC025-E/MS datasheet explicitly states that WP is unconnected, making it unsuitable for applications requiring hardware-enforced write lockout.

What package type is used for the 24LC025-E/MS?

The 24LC025-E/MS uses a 6-lead SOT-23 package (3.0 mm × 1.7 mm × 1.1 mm), with pin 1 identified by laser marking. This compact, surface-mount package supports high-density layouts in automotive ECUs and portable medical devices. The SOT-23 footprint differs from 8-pin packages (SOIC, TSSOP, MSOP) used by other variants, and A2 is not connected - limiting address combinations to four devices per I²C bus instead of eight.

How many devices can be connected to the same I²C bus using the 24LC025-E/MS?

Up to four 24LC025-E/MS devices can share a single I²C bus, using address pins A0 and A1 to configure unique slave addresses (1010 A1 A0 0). Since the SOT-23 package omits A2, only two address bits are available - unlike 8-pin variants which support three bits (A2/A1/A0) for up to eight devices. This limitation is documented in Section 5.1 of the 24LC025-E/MS datasheet and affects system scalability in multi-sensor configurations.

What is the write endurance and data retention specification for the 24LC025-E/MS?

The 24LC025-E/MS guarantees 1 million erase/write cycles and 200 years of data retention at 25°C. These specifications are validated per JEDEC standards and apply across the full automotive temperature range (–40°C to +125°C), though retention decreases slightly at elevated temperatures. The 24LC025-E/MS achieves this via optimized oxide thickness and Fowler-Nordheim tunneling, making it suitable for applications requiring decades of unattended operation, such as utility meter firmware storage or aerospace black-box logging.