Microchip Technology 24VL014/ST

Overview

The 24VL014 from Microchip Technology Inc. is a 1 Kbit (128 × 8) I²C-compatible serial EEPROM designed for ultra-low-voltage embedded systems, operating down to 1.5V with ≤400 μA active current and ≤1 μA standby current. It supports 100 kHz (V_CC < 1.8V) or 400 kHz (V_CC ≥ 1.8V) I²C bus speeds, features hardware write protection (WP pin), and offers 16-byte page write capability for efficient firmware parameter storage in battery-powered IoT sensors and portable medical devices.

For engineers reviewing the 24VL014 datasheet, 24VL014 pinout, 24VL014 application, or 24VL014 equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical specs, validated package mappings across PDIP/SOIC/TSSOP/TDFN/SOT-23, confirmed I²C timing constraints per V_CC range, real-world endurance (1M cycles), and precise alternative part guidance - all extracted from Microchip DS22129A.

Technical Context

The 24VL014 implements a true 2-wire I²C slave interface with Schmitt-triggered SDA/SCL inputs and internal noise filtering (50 ns spike suppression), enabling robust operation on electrically noisy PCBs. Its address decoding uses three hardware-configurable pins (A0–A2) to support up to eight devices on one bus (four for SOT-23 due to missing A2).

Internally, it integrates a self-timed write cycle (5 ms max), auto-erase logic, and a 16-byte page buffer that increments lower address bits only - requiring software to avoid crossing 16-byte physical page boundaries. Write protection is hardware-enforced via the WP pin (active high) for the full 00h–7Fh array, except on SOT-23 where WP is unconnected and protection is disabled.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Available in 8-pin PDIP, SOIC, TSSOP, MSOP, 2×3 TDFN, and 6-pin SOT-23 packages. Pin functions are consistent across all variants except A2 and WP, which are unconnected in SOT-23.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AT24C01D-SSHM-T and BR24G01FJ-WE2, the 24VL014 uniquely supports 1.5V operation, guarantees 1M write cycles and 200-year retention, and provides hardware write protection - making it the only choice for ultra-low-power, long-lifetime, safety-aware designs.

Availability

The 24VL014 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smart sensor calibration, portable medical device settings, and industrial PLC configuration requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and multi-decade product lifecycles.

Supply support for 24VL014 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, mixed-signal, analog, and Flash-IP solutions, serving automotive, industrial, consumer, and communications markets with high-reliability silicon and development tools.

The 24VL014 belongs to Microchip's low-voltage serial EEPROM product line, engineered specifically for energy-constrained applications demanding guaranteed data integrity, extended temperature operation, and seamless I²C integration without external support circuitry.

FAQ

What is the minimum V_CC required for reliable operation of the 24VL014?

The 24VL014 is fully specified to operate down to 1.5V DC, with guaranteed functionality across its entire temperature range (-20°C to +85°C). Below 1.8V, maximum I²C clock frequency is limited to 100 kHz to maintain timing compliance. Internal voltage threshold detection disables write operations below 1.0V to prevent data corruption, ensuring safe operation even during brown-out conditions. This makes the 24VL014 ideal for single-cell battery systems where voltage sags occur.

How does hardware write protection work on the 24VL014, and is it available in all packages?

Hardware write protection on the 24VL014 is controlled by the WP pin: when tied to V_CC, it locks the entire memory array (addresses 00h–7Fh) against all write and erase commands. If WP is tied to V_SS, protection is disabled. Crucially, the WP pin is not bonded in the 6-pin SOT-23 package - meaning write protection is unavailable for that variant. For designs requiring guaranteed data immutability, the 8-pin packages (PDIP, SOIC, TSSOP, etc.) must be selected.

What is the maximum number of 24VL014 devices that can be connected to a single I²C bus?

Up to eight 24VL014 devices can be cascaded on one I²C bus using the A0, A1, and A2 address pins to generate unique 3-bit chip addresses. However, in the 6-pin SOT-23 package, the A2 pin is unconnected, reducing the available address combinations to four (A1/A0 only). Therefore, only four SOT-23 units may share the same bus. All variants use the fixed I²C control code '1010', with A2–A0 forming the most significant bits of the slave address.

Does the 24VL014 support page write operations, and what is the buffer size?

Yes, the 24VL014 supports page write operations with a 16-byte internal buffer. After transmitting the control byte and starting address, the master may send up to 16 sequential bytes before issuing a Stop condition - triggering a single self-timed 5 ms write cycle. The address pointer increments automatically within the current 16-byte page; attempting to cross a page boundary causes wraparound, overwriting earlier bytes in the same page. This feature reduces I²C transaction count and improves firmware update throughput.

What are the key timing differences between 100 kHz and 400 kHz I²C operation for the 24VL014?

At V_CC ≥ 1.8V, the 24VL014 supports 400 kHz I²C with tighter timing: THIGH and TLOW reduced to 600 ns and 1300 ns respectively, and SDA/SCL rise/fall times tightened to 300 ns. At V_CC < 1.8V, it defaults to 100 kHz mode with relaxed timings (THIGH/TLOW = 4000/4700 ns, rise/fall = 1000 ns) to ensure signal integrity. These dual-mode specifications eliminate the need for external clock dividers or voltage translators in mixed-supply systems.