Microchip Technology 24VL024H/MS

Overview

24VL024H from Microchip Technology Inc. is a 2 Kbit (256 × 8) I²C-compatible serial EEPROM with single-supply operation down to 1.5 V, 400 μA max active current, 1 μA max standby current, and hardware write protection for the upper half-array (80h–FFh). It supports cascading up to eight devices on one bus and is used in low-power embedded systems for parameter storage, calibration data retention, and configuration memory.

For engineers reviewing the 24VL024H datasheet, 24VL024H pinout, 24VL024H application, or 24VL024H equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical specs (1.5–3.6 V VCC, 100/400 kHz I²C), package mapping (8-pin MSOP), pin-level functional roles, real-world use cases, and two validated alternative parts with documented technical and application differences.

Technical Context

The 24VL024H implements a true I²C slave interface with Schmitt-triggered SDA/SCL inputs, internal address pointer auto-increment, and acknowledge polling support. Its write cycle is self-timed (≤5 ms), includes built-in auto-erase, and enforces hardware write protection via the WP pin tied to VCC.

It uses low-power CMOS technology with noise suppression circuitry-including input hysteresis (≥0.05 VCC), spike filtering (≤50 ns), and slope-controlled outputs-to ensure reliable operation on noisy industrial or battery-powered buses. Memory organization is fixed as 256 × 8-bit with no internal bank switching.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

24VL024H is available in an 8-pin MSOP package (3.0 mm × 3.0 mm, 0.65 mm pitch), compatible with surface-mount assembly and space-constrained PCB layouts.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 24VL024H, 24AA024H offers broader voltage tolerance but sacrifices ultra-low-voltage operation and lower power consumption, while AT24C02D provides faster clocking but removes hardware-enforced memory segmentation - making 24VL024H uniquely suited for safety-critical, battery-constrained designs requiring guaranteed write protection.

Availability

24VL024H is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smart sensor calibration, IoT device configuration, and industrial PLC parameter backup requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for 24VL024H 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 U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturer specializing in microcontrollers, analog devices, and memory solutions for embedded control applications.

The 24VL024H belongs to Microchip's low-voltage serial EEPROM product line, designed specifically for energy-efficient, battery-operated, and mixed-voltage systems where reliable nonvolatile storage below 1.8 V is essential.

FAQ

What is the minimum operating voltage for the 24VL024H?

The 24VL024H operates down to 1.5 V VCC, enabling direct integration with ultra-low-power microcontrollers and energy-harvesting circuits. This specification is confirmed in the Device Selection Table and Electrical Characteristics section of DS22109A, where VCC range is explicitly listed as 1.5 V to 3.6 V. Below 1.5 V, the internal HV generator cannot reliably program memory cells, and the device enters undervoltage lockout.

How does hardware write protection work on the 24VL024H?

Hardware write protection on the 24VL024H is controlled by the WP pin: when tied to VCC, it permanently disables writes to memory addresses 80h–FFh (upper 128 bytes), while addresses 00h–7Fh remain writable. This is implemented via internal logic that gates the erase/write enable signal for the protected block. The 24VL024H datasheet confirms this behavior in Section 2.4 and Figure 6-2, noting that attempts to write protected locations result in acknowledgment without data change.

Can multiple 24VL024H devices share the same I²C bus?

Yes - up to eight 24VL024H devices can be cascaded on a single I²C bus using unique combinations of A0, A1, and A2 pins to generate distinct 7-bit slave addresses (1010xxx). Each device responds only when its assigned address bits match the transmitted control byte. This is fully supported per Section 5.0 and Figure 5-1 of DS22109A, and enables scalable memory expansion up to 16 Kbits without additional address decoding logic.

What is the maximum I²C clock frequency supported by the 24VL024H?

The 24VL024H supports up to 400 kHz I²C clock frequency when VCC is ≥1.8 V, and 100 kHz when VCC is between 1.5 V and <1.8 V. These limits are defined in the Device Selection Table and AC Characteristics table (Table 1-2), where FCLK min/max values are voltage-binned. Exceeding these frequencies risks setup/hold time violations and communication failure, especially under low-VCC conditions.

Does the 24VL024H require external pull-up resistors on SDA and SCL lines?

Yes - the 24VL024H has open-drain SDA and SCL pins, mandating external pull-up resistors to VCC. Recommended values are 10 kΩ for 100 kHz operation and 2 kΩ for 400 kHz, as specified in Section 2.1 of DS22109A. Incorrect pull-up strength causes slow rise times, violating I²C timing requirements (TR/TF), particularly at higher speeds or with bus capacitance exceeding 400 pF.