Microchip Technology 24LC02BHT-E/MS

Overview

24LC02BHT-E/MS from Microchip Technology Inc. is a 2 Kbit I²C-compatible serial EEPROM organized as 256 × 8-bit memory with half-array hardware write-protection (80h–FFh), 8-byte page write buffer, and operation from 2.5V to 5.5V. It supports 400 kHz clock frequency at V_CC ≥ 2.5V, delivers ≤1 mA active current and ≤1 µA standby current, and is qualified for extended temperature range (–40°C to +125°C) in an 8-lead MSOP package. It serves as nonvolatile configuration storage in industrial sensor nodes and automotive body control modules.

For engineers reviewing the 24LC02BHT-E/MS datasheet, 24LC02BHT-E/MS pinout, 24LC02BHT-E/MS application, or 24LC02BHT-E/MS equivalent, key selection criteria include write-protection granularity, I²C timing compliance at 125°C, page write latency (≤5 ms), endurance (>1 million cycles), and MSOP package thermal performance in space-constrained designs.

Technical Context

The 24LC02BHT-E/MS implements a two-wire I²C interface with Schmitt-trigger inputs and output slope control to suppress noise and eliminate ground bounce. Its internal address pointer enables current-address, random, and sequential read modes, while acknowledge polling allows host-driven write-cycle completion detection without fixed delays.

Hardware write-protection is controlled solely by the WP pin state: tied to V_CC, it locks addresses 0x80–0xFF; tied to V_SS, full array access is enabled. A0–A2 pins are unconnected and may be left floating or tied to either rail - no device addressing via these pins is supported.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

8-Lead MSOP (Micro Small Outline Package) with exposed pad (optional V_SS connection or floating). Compact 3 mm × 3 mm footprint, 0.65 mm pitch, suitable for high-density PCB layouts.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 24LC02BHT-E/MS, the 24LC02B-I/MS trades extended temperature capability for lower cost in benign environments, while AT24C02D-SSHM-T adds 1.8V operation but removes selective write-protection - making 24LC02BHT-E/MS optimal for automotive and high-reliability industrial use cases demanding both 125°C operation and configurable memory protection.

Availability

24LC02BHT-E/MS is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body control modules, industrial sensor nodes, medical infusion pumps, and smart energy meters requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for 24LC02BHT-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, and Flash-IP solutions, serving automotive, industrial, consumer, and communications markets with high-reliability silicon and development tools.

The 24LC02BH family delivers cost-effective, AEC-Q100-qualified serial EEPROMs optimized for configuration storage, calibration data retention, and secure parameter management in space- and power-constrained embedded systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum I²C clock frequency supported by the 24LC02BHT-E/MS?

The 24LC02BHT-E/MS supports up to 400 kHz I²C clock frequency when V_CC is 2.5V or higher. At voltages below 2.5V, the maximum clock rate drops to 100 kHz. This dual-speed capability ensures compatibility with both legacy and high-speed I²C masters while maintaining signal integrity across its specified voltage range. The 24LC02BHT-E/MS does not support FM+ or high-speed I²C modes beyond 400 kHz.

How does the write-protect (WP) pin function on the 24LC02BHT-E/MS?

On the 24LC02BHT-E/MS, the WP pin provides hardware-level write protection: when tied to V_CC, addresses 0x80–0xFF are locked against write operations while reads remain fully accessible; when tied to V_SS, the entire 256-byte array is writable. Unlike some EEPROMs, the 24LC02BHT-E/MS does not support software write-enable commands - protection is strictly pin-controlled and active immediately upon power-up. This behavior is fixed and cannot be overridden in firmware.

Is the 24LC02BHT-E/MS pin-compatible with other 24LC02B variants in MSOP packages?

Yes, the 24LC02BHT-E/MS is pin-compatible with all 24LC02B variants offered in the 8-lead MSOP package, including 24LC02B-I/MS and 24LC02B-E/MS. Pin assignments (A0–A2, V_SS, SDA, SCL, WP, V_CC) are identical across these variants, and the A0–A2 pins remain unconnected in all cases. No PCB layout changes are required when substituting between these temperature-grade versions, provided the system's thermal environment aligns with the selected variant's rating.

What is the purpose of the A0, A1, and A2 pins on the 24LC02BHT-E/MS?

The A0, A1, and A2 pins on the 24LC02BHT-E/MS are not internally connected and serve no functional role. They may be left floating or tied to V_SS or V_CC without affecting device operation, addressing, or I²C communication. This design eliminates external address-select resistors and simplifies board layout - unlike larger EEPROMs (e.g., 24LC256), the 24LC02BHT-E/MS uses a fixed I²C slave address (0xA0–0xA7 write, 0xA1–0xA8 read) regardless of A0–A2 states.

Does the 24LC02BHT-E/MS support page write operations, and what is the buffer size?

Yes, the 24LC02BHT-E/MS supports page write operations with an 8-byte page buffer. This allows up to eight consecutive bytes to be loaded into the buffer and written to memory in a single self-timed cycle (≤5 ms), significantly improving throughput over byte-write mode. Page boundaries align to 8-byte intervals (e.g., 0x00–0x07, 0x08–0x0F); crossing a boundary causes wraparound within the current page rather than advancing to the next, so firmware must manage alignment to avoid unintended overwrites.