Microchip Technology 25LC160A-E/ST

Overview

25LC160A-E/ST from Microchip Technology Inc. is a 16 Kbit (2048 × 8) SPI-compatible serial EEPROM with 16-byte page write capability, 2.5–5.5 V supply range, and industrial/automotive temperature support (–40°C to +125°C). It features hardware write protection via WP pin, HOLD functionality for interrupt-safe bus suspension, and self-timed 5 ms max write cycles - deployed in automotive body control modules for configuration storage and calibration data retention.

For engineers reviewing the 25LC160A-E/ST datasheet, 25LC160A-E/ST pinout, 25LC160A-E/ST application, or 25LC160A-E/ST equivalent, key selection criteria include page size compatibility (16-byte), automotive-grade temperature operation (–40°C to +125°C), TSSOP-8 package footprint, and SPI timing compliance at up to 10 MHz clock frequency under 4.5–5.5 V conditions.

Technical Context

The 25LC160A-E/ST implements a standard SPI Mode 0,0 interface with separate SI/SO lines, CS-controlled device selection, and HOLD-driven transaction pausing. Its internal architecture includes an 8-bit instruction register, status register with WIP/WEL/BP bits, and page latches enabling atomic 16-byte writes within fixed physical boundaries starting at addresses divisible by 16.

Write operations require explicit WREN instruction followed by CS high-to-low transition to initiate internal erase/write; block protection is configurable via BP0/BP1 bits to lock 0%, 25%, 50%, or 100% of the 0000h–07FFh address space. Power-on reset clears the write enable latch, and WP pin functionality is gated by the nonvolatile WPEN bit in the status register.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

25LC160A-E/ST is packaged in an 8-lead TSSOP (Thin Shrink Small Outline Package) with 0.65 mm lead pitch, JEDEC MO-153 compliant, and Pb-free/RoHS-compliant marking. Pin 1 is marked with a dot or beveled corner.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 25LC160B-E/ST and AT25160B-MAHL-T, the 25LC160A-E/ST uniquely balances automotive-grade reliability, 16-byte page efficiency for small parameter sets, and 2.5 V minimum supply - making it optimal for safety-critical automotive subsystems needing deterministic write behavior and thermal resilience.

Availability

25LC160A-E/ST is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive electronics, industrial control systems, and medical device design requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for 25LC160A-E/ST 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 25LC160A-E/ST belongs to Microchip's legacy serial EEPROM product line, engineered specifically for robust, low-power, SPI-based nonvolatile storage in automotive and industrial environments demanding extended temperature operation and high data integrity.

FAQ

What is the maximum SPI clock frequency supported by the 25LC160A-E/ST?

The 25LC160A-E/ST supports up to 10 MHz SPI clock frequency when VCC is between 4.5 V and 5.5 V. At 2.5 V ≤ VCC < 4.5 V, the maximum clock drops to 5 MHz, and at 1.8 V ≤ VCC < 2.5 V, it is limited to 3 MHz. These values are specified in Table 1-2 of the DS21807D datasheet and directly impact achievable read/write throughput in host MCU implementations.

Does the 25LC160A-E/ST support hardware write protection, and how is it configured?

Yes, the 25LC160A-E/ST supports hardware write protection using the WP pin in conjunction with the WPEN bit in the STATUS register. When WPEN = 1 and WP pin is low, writes to the STATUS register are blocked. The 25LC160A-E/ST defaults to WPEN = 0 at power-up, allowing full STATUS register access until explicitly enabled - a safety feature preventing accidental lockout during initial programming.

What is the purpose of the HOLD pin on the 25LC160A-E/ST, and what are its timing requirements?

The HOLD pin on the 25LC160A-E/ST suspends ongoing SPI communication without resetting the internal state, allowing the host MCU to service urgent interrupts. To activate HOLD, the pin must be driven low while SCK is low; to resume, HOLD must be returned high while SCK remains low. Violating this timing causes undefined behavior or bus hang, as documented in Figure 1-1 and Section 3.6 of the 25LC160A-E/ST datasheet.

How does page write operation work in the 25LC160A-E/ST, and what happens if a write crosses a page boundary?

The 25LC160A-E/ST has a fixed 16-byte page size; page writes must stay within addresses aligned to multiples of 16 (e.g., 0000h–000Fh, 0010h–001Fh). If a page write command attempts to cross a boundary - for example, writing 16 bytes starting at 000Eh - the excess bytes wrap around to the start of the same page (0000h), overwriting prior data. This behavior is explicitly defined in Section 2.3 and requires strict software address validation before issuing WRITE commands.

What are the key differences between the 'A' and 'B' versions of the 25LC160 series?

The 'A' version (e.g., 25LC160A-E/ST) uses a 16-byte page size, while the 'B' version (e.g., 25LC160B-E/ST) uses a 32-byte page size - both share identical pinout, voltage range (2.5–5.5 V), temperature grade (–40°C to +125°C), and instruction set. The choice affects firmware page-alignment logic and write efficiency: smaller pages reduce wasted space for sparse updates, larger pages improve throughput for bulk writes.