Microchip Technology 25AA160C-I/MS

Overview

25AA160C-I/MS from Microchip Technology is a 16 Kbit (2048 × 8) SPI Serial EEPROM with 1.8–5.5 V supply range, 16-byte page write capability, and industrial temperature rating (–40°C to +85°C). It features hardware write protection via WP pin, HOLD suspend functionality, and supports up to 10 MHz clock at 4.5–5.5 V for embedded microcontroller data logging and configuration storage.

For engineers reviewing the 25AA160C-I/MS datasheet, 25AA160C-I/MS pinout, 25AA160C-I/MS application, or 25AA160C-I/MS equivalent, key selection criteria include its 1.8 V minimum operating voltage, 16-byte page size, MSOP-8 package footprint, and SPI-compatible timing compliance across 1.8–5.5 V supply range.

Technical Context

The 25AA160C-I/MS implements a standard SPI Mode 0,0 (CPOL = 0, CPHA = 0) interface with separate SI and SO lines, requiring CS, SCK, SI, SO, WP, HOLD, VCC, and VSS. Its internal architecture includes a write-enable latch, STATUS register with BP0/BP1 block protection bits, and nonvolatile WPEN control for hardware write-protection coordination.

It supports byte and page write operations limited to 16-byte boundaries, with self-timed internal write cycles completing in ≤5 ms. The HOLD pin suspends ongoing serial transfers without resetting the sequence, enabling host interrupt servicing while preserving transaction state.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

25AA160C-I/MS is housed in an 8-lead MSOP (Mini Small Outline Package) with 0.15 inch body width, 0.5 mm lead pitch, and exposed pad option not present - suitable for compact PCB layouts requiring thermal and space efficiency.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 25LC160C-I/MS, the 25AA160C-I/MS enables true 1.8 V operation for ultra-low-power designs, while AT25160B-MAHL-T offers faster clock support but requires firmware adaptation for STATUS register handling - both retain identical MSOP-8 footprint and 16-byte page constraints.

Availability

25AA160C-I/MS is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration, medical device configuration, automotive body control modules, and smart energy meter firmware requiring stable component supply across extended temperature and voltage ranges.

Supply support for 25AA160C-I/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 components, and memory solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with global design and manufacturing operations.

The 25AAxx0C/D family delivers cost-optimized, SPI-compatible EEPROMs targeting embedded systems needing robust nonvolatile storage with flexible voltage operation and hardware security features.

FAQ

What is the minimum supply voltage required for reliable operation of the 25AA160C-I/MS?

The 25AA160C-I/MS operates reliably from 1.8 V to 5.5 V. At 1.8 V, it supports clock frequencies up to 3 MHz and maintains full read/write functionality, including STATUS register access and page write operations. This makes the 25AA160C-I/MS suitable for battery-powered and energy-harvesting applications where rail voltage may dip below 2.5 V.

How does the HOLD pin function during an active SPI transaction on the 25AA160C-I/MS?

The HOLD pin on the 25AA160C-I/MS pauses serial communication without resetting the transaction state. When pulled low while SCK is low, SI, SCK, and SO enter high-impedance, and input transitions are ignored except for CS. To resume, HOLD must be raised while SCK remains low. This preserves address counters and internal state, allowing the host to service interrupts and continue seamlessly - a key behavior confirmed in Figure 1-1 and Section 2.3 of the DS22150B datasheet for the 25AA160C-I/MS.

Can the 25AA160C-I/MS perform page writes across memory boundaries?

No. Page writes on the 25AA160C-I/MS are strictly confined within 16-byte physical boundaries (000h–00Fh, 010h–01Fh, etc.). Attempting to write across a boundary causes data to wrap to the start of the current page, overwriting prior bytes. The 25AA160C-I/MS documentation explicitly warns against this in Section 2.3 and Figure 2-3, requiring firmware to validate address alignment before initiating multi-byte writes - a constraint inherent to the 25AA160C-I/MS architecture.

What protection mechanisms prevent unintended writes to the 25AA160C-I/MS memory array?

The 25AA160C-I/MS employs four layered protections: (1) Power-on reset clears the write-enable latch; (2) WREN instruction must be issued and latched before any write; (3) Write-enable latch auto-resets after each WRITE, WRSR, or WRDI command; (4) Hardware write protection engages when WP pin is low and WPEN bit is set. These mechanisms - detailed in Sections 2.4, 2.7, and Table 2-4 - ensure that accidental writes to the 25AA160C-I/MS array require deliberate, multi-step activation.

Is the 25AA160C-I/MS pin-compatible with other devices in the 25XX160 family?

Yes - the 25AA160C-I/MS shares identical pinout, package dimensions, and SPI electrical timing with 25LC160C-I/MS, 25AA160D-I/MS, and 25LC160D-I/MS in the MSOP-8 variant. All use the same CS/SO/WP/VSS/SI/SCK/HOLD/VCC arrangement per Table 3-1. However, functional differences exist: 'D' versions have 32-byte pages, and 'LC' variants require ≥2.5 V supply - so while physically interchangeable, the 25AA160C-I/MS is not functionally drop-in for those parts without firmware and voltage validation.