Microchip Technology 25LC010A-I/MS

Overview

25LC010A-I/MS from Microchip Technology Inc. is a 1 Kbit (128 × 8) SPI serial EEPROM with 16-byte page write capability, operating from 2.5V to 5.5V across –40°C to +85°C industrial temperature range, housed in an 8-lead MSOP package. It features hardware write protection (WP pin), HOLD functionality for interrupt-safe SPI pauses, and self-timed write cycles completing in ≤5 ms.

For engineers reviewing the 25LC010A-I/MS datasheet, 25LC010A-I/MS pinout, 25LC010A-I/MS application, or 25LC010A-I/MS equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical specs, SPI timing constraints, block protection configuration, endurance (1M cycles), and real-world use cases in embedded control, sensor calibration storage, and firmware parameter retention.

Technical Context

The 25LC010A-I/MS implements a standard SPI Mode 0,0/Master–Slave interface with separate SI (data in) and SO (data out) lines, requiring only CS, SCK, SI, SO, WP, HOLD, VCC, and VSS. Its internal architecture includes a nonvolatile STATUS register with WIP/WEL/BP0/BP1 bits, enabling software-controlled write protection of 0%, 25%, 50%, or 100% of the memory array.

Write operations require explicit WREN instruction followed by CS high-to-low transition to initiate internal erase/write; page writes are bounded to 16-byte physical pages (e.g., addresses 00h–0Fh, 10h–1Fh), with wraparound behavior on boundary crossing. The HOLD pin suspends ongoing SPI transfers while preserving internal state, allowing host MCU to service higher-priority interrupts without reinitializing communication.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

25LC010A-I/MS is packaged in an 8-lead MSOP (Micro Small Outline Package), 3.0 mm × 3.0 mm body, 0.65 mm pitch, with exposed pad optionally connected to VSS for thermal enhancement.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 25AA010A-I/MS and AT25010B-MAU-2.7, the 25LC010A-I/MS offers optimal balance of voltage flexibility (2.5V min), HOLD support for robust interrupt handling, and Microchip's proven 1M-cycle reliability-making it preferred for industrial and medical designs demanding deterministic timing and fail-safe write control.

Availability

25LC010A-I/MS is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration storage, embedded controller configuration, firmware bootloader parameter tables, and medical device usage logs requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle assurance.

Supply support for 25LC010A-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 microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog, and Flash-IP solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with global design and manufacturing operations.

The 25LC010A belongs to Microchip's 25XX010A family of SPI serial EEPROMs, designed specifically for space-constrained embedded systems requiring reliable, low-power, pin-efficient nonvolatile storage with hardware and software write protection.

FAQ

What is the maximum clock frequency supported by the 25LC010A-I/MS?

The 25LC010A-I/MS supports up to 10 MHz SPI clock frequency when VCC is between 4.5V and 5.5V. At 2.5V ≤ VCC < 4.5V, the maximum clock frequency is 5 MHz. These limits are defined in Table 1-2 of the DS21832H datasheet and ensure reliable setup/hold timing across temperature and voltage ranges. The 25LC010A-I/MS must be operated within these AC specifications to guarantee correct read/write behavior.

Does the 25LC010A-I/MS support page write operations, and what is the page size?

Yes, the 25LC010A-I/MS supports page write mode with a fixed page size of 16 bytes. This allows up to 16 consecutive bytes to be loaded into the internal page buffer and written in a single internal cycle (≤5 ms). Page boundaries align to addresses ending in 0h–Fh (e.g., 00h–0Fh, 10h–1Fh); crossing a boundary wraps data to the start of the same page. This behavior is explicitly documented in Section 2.3 and Figure 2-3 of the 25LC010A-I/MS datasheet.

How does the HOLD pin function on the 25LC010A-I/MS, and what are its timing requirements?

The HOLD pin on the 25LC010A-I/MS suspends ongoing SPI communication without resetting the internal state, enabling the host MCU to service higher-priority interrupts. HOLD must be asserted while SCK is low; it places SI, SCK, and SO in high-impedance state. Resumption requires HOLD high while SCK remains low. Minimum HOLD setup/hold times are 20–80 ns depending on VCC, per Table 1-2 (Parameters 16–17) in the 25LC010A-I/MS datasheet.

What write protection mechanisms does the 25LC010A-I/MS provide?

The 25LC010A-I/MS provides dual-layer write protection: hardware via the WP pin (low disables all writes unconditionally), and software via two nonvolatile BP0/BP1 bits in the STATUS register. These bits configure protection for 0%, 25%, 50%, or 100% of the memory array. The write enable latch (WEL) must also be set via WREN instruction before any write. All three mechanisms are detailed in Sections 2.4–2.6 and Table 2-3 of the 25LC010A-I/MS datasheet.

What is the endurance and data retention specification for the 25LC010A-I/MS?

The 25LC010A-I/MS is specified for 1,000,000 erase/write cycles and greater than 200 years of data retention at +25°C. Endurance is tested at 25°C and VCC = 5.5V per Note 2 in Table 1-3; retention is extrapolated from accelerated life testing. These values are guaranteed across the full industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C) and form the basis for long-life design in applications like medical loggers and industrial controllers. The 25LC010A-I/MS datasheet confirms these figures in the Features section and Table 1-3.