Microchip Technology 24VL024H/ST

Overview

24VL024H from Microchip Technology Inc. is a 2 Kbit (256 × 8) I²C-compatible serial EEPROM designed for ultra-low-voltage embedded systems. It operates from 1.5V to 3.6V, draws ≤400 μA active current and ≤1 μA standby current, supports 100 kHz/400 kHz clock rates, and features hardware write-protection for the upper half-array (80h–FFh). It is used in battery-powered sensor nodes and portable medical devices requiring nonvolatile memory with minimal power budget.

For engineers reviewing the 24VL024H datasheet, 24VL024H pinout, 24VL024H application, or 24VL024H equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical specs, validated I²C timing constraints across voltage ranges, confirmed package options (PDIP/SOIC/TSSOP/MSOP/TDFN), exact pin functions including WP and address inputs, and real-world use cases in low-power industrial and medical edge devices.

Technical Context

The 24VL024H implements a true I²C slave interface with Schmitt-triggered SDA/SCL inputs, internal VCC threshold detection (<1.2V disable), and open-drain output drivers requiring external pull-ups. Its memory array is organized as one contiguous 256-word block with automatic page-write buffering (up to 16 bytes per page) and self-timed erase/write cycles.

Addressing uses a fixed 4-bit control code (1010b) plus three user-configurable chip-select bits (A0–A2), enabling up to eight devices on a single bus. Hardware write protection is controlled solely by the WP pin state - tied to VCC for protecting addresses 80h–FFh, or to VSS for full-array write enable.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Available in 8-pin PDIP, SOIC (150 mil), TSSOP, MSOP, and 2×3 mm TDFN packages - all share identical pin mapping and function assignment.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 24AA024H and AT24C02C, the 24VL024H uniquely supports true 1.5V operation and integrated half-array hardware write-protection - making it the only option for ultra-low-voltage, safety-critical parameter storage where firmware-independent protection is mandatory.

Availability

24VL024H is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for battery-powered medical devices, industrial sensor nodes, and smart metering systems requiring stable component supply across extended temperature and voltage ranges.

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 global provider of microcontrollers, analog components, and memory solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona.

The 24VL024H belongs to Microchip's low-voltage serial EEPROM product line, engineered specifically for energy-constrained applications where operation below 1.8V and nanowatt standby power are essential design requirements.

FAQ

What is the minimum VCC required for reliable operation of the 24VL024H?

The 24VL024H is fully specified to operate down to 1.5V - including all DC and AC parameters, I²C timing, and write functionality. Below 1.5V, the internal voltage detector disables write logic to prevent data corruption, but read operations may remain functional until VCC drops below ~1.2V. This makes the 24VL024H suitable for direct integration with primary lithium cells and energy-harvesting circuits where regulated 1.8V is unavailable.

How does the WP pin protect memory in the 24VL024H?

In the 24VL024H, tying the WP pin to VCC enables hardware write-protection for the upper half of the memory array (addresses 80h–FFh). This protection is physical and independent of firmware - no software command can override it. When WP = VSS, full-array write access is enabled. The protected region is fixed and cannot be reconfigured, ensuring that critical calibration or boot data remains immutable even under fault conditions.

Can multiple 24VL024H devices share the same I²C bus?

Yes - up to eight 24VL024H devices can be cascaded on a single I²C bus using the A0, A1, and A2 address pins. Each device must have a unique combination of these inputs (e.g., 000, 001, ..., 111) to generate distinct 7-bit slave addresses (1010xxx). This allows contiguous 16 Kbit memory expansion without additional address decoding logic, and software can access each device using standard I²C read/write commands.

What is the maximum write speed for page operations in the 24VL024H?

The 24VL024H supports page writes of up to 16 bytes per transaction, with a maximum write cycle time of 5 ms - regardless of whether one byte or 16 bytes are written. This fixed timing simplifies firmware design because the host MCU does not need to calculate variable delay based on byte count. After issuing a Stop condition, the device internally manages erase, program, and verify - and will not acknowledge further I²C commands until the cycle completes.

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

Yes - the 24VL024H has open-drain SDA and SCL outputs, mandating external pull-up resistors to VCC. Recommended values are 10 kΩ for 100 kHz operation and 2 kΩ for 400 kHz. These values ensure proper rise times (≤300 ns at 3.6V) and noise margin while limiting current draw. Pull-ups must be placed close to the 24VL024H or master device to minimize trace capacitance and avoid timing violations.