Microchip Technology 24LC08B-E/P

Overview

24LC08B-E/P from Microchip Technology Inc. is an 8-Kbit I²C-compatible serial EEPROM organized as four 256 × 8-bit blocks, operating from 2.5V to 5.5V with 400 kHz max clock frequency, 5 ms max page write time, and hardware write-protection via the WP pin. It supports industrial (–40°C to +85°C) and extended (–40°C to +125°C) temperature ranges in 8-lead PDIP packaging.

For engineers reviewing the 24LC08B-E/P datasheet, 24LC08B-E/P pinout, 24LC08B-E/P application, or 24LC08B-E/P equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical specs, I²C timing constraints, WP functionality, endurance (1M cycles), and data retention (>200 years) - all confirmed for the exact 24LC08B-E/P variant per DS20001710M.

Technical Context

The 24LC08B-E/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 enabling current-address, random, and sequential read modes.

It uses a fixed 4-bit device identifier (1010b) with 2-bit block select (B1/B0) and R/W bit for addressing four 256-word memory blocks. Write protection is implemented via the dedicated WP pin, which disables all writes when tied to VCC - a function validated for the E/P package per datasheet Section 2.4 and Table 2-1.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

24LC08B-E/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; 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 24AA08-I/P, the 24LC08B-E/P offers higher minimum VCC but broader temperature support; compared with 24LC08B-E/SM, it provides identical performance in a through-hole package suited for prototyping and high-reliability mechanical mounting.

Availability

24LC08B-E/P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial control systems, automotive body controllers, medical diagnostic devices, and smart energy meters requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for 24LC08B-E/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 microcontrollers, analog components, and memory solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with global design and manufacturing operations.

The 24LC08B belongs to Microchip's legacy serial EEPROM product line, designed specifically for cost-sensitive, low-power, and high-reliability embedded applications requiring I²C-compatible nonvolatile storage with hardware write protection.

FAQ

What is the minimum supply voltage required for reliable operation of the 24LC08B-E/P?

The 24LC08B-E/P requires a minimum VCC of 2.5V for guaranteed operation across its full temperature range. Unlike the 24AA08, it does not support operation below 2.5V - attempting to power it at 1.8V will result in undefined behavior or failure to respond on the I²C bus. This specification is explicitly defined in the Device Selection Table on page 1 of DS20001710M and confirmed in Section 1.0 Electrical Characteristics.

Does the 24LC08B-E/P support 1 MHz I²C communication?

No, the 24LC08B-E/P does not support 1 MHz I²C communication. Its maximum clock frequency is 400 kHz, as specified in the Device Selection Table and AC Characteristics table (Param. No. 1, FCLK). The 24FC08 variant supports 1 MHz, but the 24LC08B-E/P is limited to 400 kHz regardless of VCC level - a hard limitation confirmed across all temperature grades in DS20001710M.

How does the WP pin function on the 24LC08B-E/P, and what happens if it is left floating?

On the 24LC08B-E/P, the WP pin must be actively tied to either VSS (enable writes) or VCC (disable all writes). Leaving it floating is not permitted: the datasheet states it "must be connected to either VSS or VCC" (Section 2.4), and floating may cause indeterminate write-enable state due to input leakage. In practice, floating WP risks partial or intermittent write protection, violating functional safety requirements in certified applications.

What is the memory organization of the 24LC08B-E/P, and how is addressing implemented?

The 24LC08B-E/P contains 8 Kbits (1024 bytes) organized as four independent 256 × 8-bit blocks. Addressing uses a 4-bit device code (1010b), two block-select bits (B1/B0), and an 8-bit word address. The B1/B0 bits determine which 256-byte block is accessed, while the full 8-bit address selects the byte within that block - a scheme validated in Figure 5-2 and Section 5.0 of DS20001710M.

Is the 24LC08B-E/P qualified for automotive applications, and what evidence supports this claim?

Yes, the 24LC08B-E/P is AEC-Q100 qualified for automotive applications. This is explicitly stated in the Features section on page 1 of DS20001710M ("Automotive AEC-Q100 Qualified") and reinforced by its extended temperature range (–40°C to +125°C) and qualification testing per AEC-Q100 Rev H. The "E" in "24LC08B-E/P" denotes the extended temperature grade required for under-hood and body-control module deployment.