Microchip Technology 25AA160C-I/P

Overview

25AA160C-I/P from Microchip Technology is a 16 Kbit (2048 × 8) SPI-compatible 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 functionality for bus arbitration, and supports up to 10 MHz clock at 4.5–5.5 V. Used in microcontroller-based systems for configuration storage, calibration data retention, and firmware parameter backup.

For engineers reviewing the 25AA160C-I/P datasheet, 25AA160C-I/P pinout, 25AA160C-I/P application, or 25AA160C-I/P equivalent, key selection criteria include its 1.8 V minimum VCC, 16-byte page size (vs. 32-byte 'D' variants), Pb-free PDIP-8 package, and verified 1M endurance with >200-year data retention - critical for long-life industrial and embedded deployments.

Technical Context

The 25AA160C-I/P implements a standard SPI Mode 0,0 interface (CPOL = 0, CPHA = 0) with separate SI and SO lines, requiring CS, SCK, SI, SO, WP, HOLD, VCC, and VSS. Its internal architecture includes an 8-bit instruction register, page latches, and high-voltage generator for EEPROM programming.

Write operations require explicit WREN instruction followed by CS high-to-low transition to initiate self-timed internal write cycle (≤5 ms). STATUS register bits (WIP, WEL, BP0/BP1) enable real-time monitoring and configurable block protection (none, 1/4, 1/2, or full array), while WPEN bit gates hardware write-protection functionality.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

25AA160C-I/P is packaged in 8-lead PDIP (Plastic Dual In-line Package), RoHS-compliant and Pb-free, with 0.3-inch body width and standard through-hole mounting.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 25LC160C-I/P, the 25AA160C-I/P adds 1.8 V operation for ultra-low-power systems, while versus AT25160B-10PU-2.7 it provides HOLD support for deterministic interrupt handling - making it optimal for real-time industrial controllers requiring both voltage flexibility and bus robustness.

Availability

25AA160C-I/P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration, embedded system configuration, and programmable logic controller firmware patch storage requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for 25AA160C-I/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 microcontroller, analog, and Flash-IP solutions, serving automotive, industrial, consumer, and communications markets with high-reliability silicon and development tools.

The 25AA160C-I/P belongs to Microchip's 25XX160 serial EEPROM product line, designed specifically for robust, low-power, SPI-based nonvolatile data storage in space- and energy-constrained embedded systems.

FAQ

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

The 25AA160C-I/P operates reliably down to 1.8 V, as specified in its DC characteristics table. This enables direct integration with 1.8 V logic families and battery-powered systems where voltage headroom is constrained. Operation below 1.8 V is not guaranteed and may result in undefined behavior or failed write cycles. The 25AA160C-I/P maintains full SPI functionality, including page writes and STATUS register access, across the entire 1.8–5.5 V range.

Does the 25AA160C-I/P support SPI Mode 0,0 exclusively, or are other modes compatible?

The 25AA160C-I/P is designed for SPI Mode 0,0 (CPOL = 0, CPHA = 0) only. Data is sampled on the rising edge of SCK and output on the falling edge, with CS active low. Attempting Mode 1,1 or other configurations will result in misaligned data transfers and corrupted reads/writes. The device does not support quad-SPI, dual-SPI, or non-standard clock polarity/phase variants - strict adherence to Mode 0,0 timing per DS22150B is required.

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

When the HOLD pin is pulled low during an active SPI transaction (with CS low and SCK stable low), the 25AA160C-I/P immediately suspends communication: SI, SO, and SCK inputs are ignored, SO enters high-impedance, and internal state is preserved. To resume, HOLD must be returned high while SCK remains low; the transaction continues from the exact bit position where it paused. This enables deterministic MCU interrupt handling without reinitializing the SPI sequence.

Can the 25AA160C-I/P be used in automotive applications requiring AEC-Q200 qualification?

No, the 25AA160C-I/P is rated for Industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C) only and is not AEC-Q200 qualified. For automotive applications, Microchip offers the 25AA160D-E/P variant, which extends to –40°C to +125°C and carries automotive qualification. Using the 25AA160C-I/P in under-hood or dashboard environments beyond +85°C risks data corruption, parametric failure, or premature endurance degradation.

What happens if a page write crosses a 16-byte boundary on the 25AA160C-I/P?

If a page write command attempts to cross a 16-byte boundary (e.g., writing 16 bytes starting at address 0x00F), the 25AA160C-I/P wraps the excess data to the start of the same page (0x000), overwriting previously written bytes. This behavior is inherent to its page latch architecture and is not an error condition. Application firmware must enforce page alignment - verifying that (address + byte count) ≤ next page boundary - to prevent unintended data loss during multi-byte writes.