Microchip Technology 25LC160A-I/MS

Overview

25LC160A-I/MS from Microchip Technology Inc. is a 16 Kbit SPI Serial EEPROM with 2048 × 8-bit organization, 16-byte page write capability, and industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C). It operates from 2.5V to 5.5V, supports up to 10 MHz clock frequency, and delivers 1 million erase/write cycles with >200 years data retention - used for firmware storage, calibration data logging, and configuration parameter backup in embedded control systems.

For engineers reviewing the 25LC160A-I/MS datasheet, 25LC160A-I/MS pinout, 25LC160A-I/MS application, or 25LC160A-I/MS equivalent, this page provides verified electrical specs, validated SPI timing behavior, confirmed MSOP-8 package mapping, and real-world use cases for industrial microcontroller-based designs requiring nonvolatile memory with hardware write protection and HOLD functionality.

Technical Context

The 25LC160A-I/MS implements a standard SPI Mode 0,0 interface with separate SI (data-in) and SO (data-out) lines, requiring CS, SCK, and optional HOLD/WP signals. Its internal architecture includes an 8-bit instruction register, page latches, and high-voltage generation circuitry for EEPROM programming.

It supports sequential read, byte/page write, status register access (RDSR/WRSR), and block-level write protection via BP0/BP1 bits. The device enforces strict timing constraints including TCSS (CS setup), THD (data hold), and TWC (5 ms max internal write cycle), all specified across VCC = 2.5–5.5V and TAMB = –40°C to +85°C.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

25LC160A-I/MS is housed in an 8-lead MSOP (Mini Small Outline Package) with 150-mil body width, gull-wing leads, and Pb-free matte tin plating per JEDEC J-STD-020. Pin 1 is marked by a beveled corner or laser top-side marking.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 25LC160A-I/MS, 25AA160A-I/MS extends voltage flexibility downward to 1.8V but sacrifices automotive qualification, while AT25160B-MAHL-T adds AEC-Q100 Grade 3 certification at the cost of non-identical status register behavior - requiring firmware adaptation for BP/WPEN control.

Availability

25LC160A-I/MS is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial control, medical instrumentation, and automotive body electronics requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for 25LC160A-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 devices, and memory solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with global design and manufacturing operations.

The 25LC160A-I/MS belongs to Microchip's 25XX160A/B serial EEPROM family, designed specifically for reliable, low-power nonvolatile storage in resource-constrained embedded systems using standard SPI interfaces.

FAQ

What is the maximum clock frequency supported by the 25LC160A-I/MS?

The 25LC160A-I/MS supports up to 10 MHz SPI clock frequency when VCC is 4.5V to 5.5V. At 2.5V ≤ VCC < 4.5V, the maximum clock drops to 5 MHz, and at 1.8V ≤ VCC < 2.5V it is 3 MHz. These limits ensure reliable setup/hold timing for SI/SO signals and are fully characterized across the industrial temperature range. The 25LC160A-I/MS does not operate above 10 MHz under any condition.

How does the HOLD pin function during an active SPI transaction in the 25LC160A-I/MS?

The HOLD pin on the 25LC160A-I/MS pauses ongoing SPI communication without resetting internal state. When pulled low while SCK is low, SI/SO/SCK inputs are ignored except CS, and SO enters high-impedance. Resuming requires bringing HOLD high while SCK remains low. This allows the host MCU to service interrupts and resume exactly where transmission left off - a feature confirmed in DS21807D Figures 1-1 and 2-1. The 25LC160A-I/MS holds address pointer and instruction context intact during HOLD.

What write protection mechanisms are implemented in the 25LC160A-I/MS?

The 25LC160A-I/MS implements three layered protections: (1) a volatile write-enable latch (WEL) reset on power-up or WRDI, (2) nonvolatile block protection (BP0/BP1) controlling 0%/25%/50%/100% array lock, and (3) hardware write-protect via WP pin enabled only when WPEN bit = 1. All are documented in Table 2-3 and Figure 2-6 of DS21807D. The 25LC160A-I/MS requires explicit WREN before any write, and WP pin has no effect unless WPEN is set.

Is the 25LC160A-I/MS pin-compatible with other devices in the 25XX160A/B family?

Yes - the 25LC160A-I/MS shares identical 8-pin MSOP footprint, pinout, and SPI protocol with 25AA160A-I/MS, 25LC160B-I/MS, and 25AA160B-I/MS. All variants use the same CS/SO/WP/VSS/SI/SCK/HOLD/VCC assignment per DS21807D Pin Function Table. However, page size differs (16 vs. 32 bytes) between 'A' and 'B' versions, and VCC ranges vary - so firmware must validate page boundary handling and voltage compliance before substitution.

What is the guaranteed endurance and data retention specification for the 25LC160A-I/MS?

The 25LC160A-I/MS is guaranteed for 1,000,000 erase/write cycles and >200 years of data retention at +25°C, as specified in DS21807D Table 1-3 Note 2 and page 1. These values are characterized and ensured (not just sampled), with endurance validated using Microchip's Total Endurance™ Model. The 25LC160A-I/MS retains data beyond 100 years even at +85°C, supporting long-lifecycle industrial deployments without refresh.