Microchip Technology 25LC160AT-I/ST

Overview

25LC160AT-I/ST from Microchip Technology Inc. is a 16 Kbit (2048 × 8) SPI Serial EEPROM with 16-byte page size, 2.5–5.5 V supply range, and Industrial temperature grade (–40°C to +85°C), housed in an 8-lead TSSOP package. It supports up to 10 MHz clock frequency, features hardware write protection via WP pin and STATUS register, and delivers 1 million erase/write cycles with >200 years data retention - used for firmware storage, calibration data logging, and configuration backup in embedded control systems.

For engineers reviewing the 25LC160AT-I/ST datasheet, 25LC160AT-I/ST pinout, 25LC160AT-I/ST application, or 25LC160AT-I/ST equivalent, key selection criteria include SPI timing compliance at 5.5 V/10 MHz, page-write boundary handling (16-byte alignment), HOLD pin interrupt-suspend capability, and hardware/software write-protection granularity (none/¼/½/all array).

Technical Context

The 25LC160AT-I/ST implements a standard SPI Mode 0,0 interface with separate SI (input) and SO (output) lines, requiring CS low and HOLD high for normal operation. Its internal architecture includes a status register with WIP, WEL, BP0/BP1, and WPEN bits, enabling nonvolatile block protection and write-enable state tracking independent of power cycle.

Write operations require explicit WREN instruction before WRITE, and CS must go high after final data bit to trigger self-timed 5 ms internal write cycle. Page writes are restricted to within 16-byte boundaries; crossing a boundary wraps data to the start of the same page - a constraint enforced by hardware and visible in timing diagrams Figure 2-3 and Section 2.3.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

25LC160AT-I/ST is packaged in an 8-lead TSSOP (Thin Shrink Small Outline Package) with 0.65 mm lead pitch, JEDEC MO-153 compliant, RoHS-compliant matte tin finish, and marked "5LABI" per DS21807D-page 14.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 25LC160AT-I/ST, the 25LC160DT-I/ST offers identical functionality with extended thermal qualification, while the AT25DF021-SSH-T trades pin-compatible simplicity for greater density and speed at the cost of command-level incompatibility and missing HOLD/WP features critical for real-time control.

Availability

25LC160AT-I/ST is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial control systems, smart metering platforms, and medical instrumentation requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for 25LC160AT-I/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 microcontroller, analog, and Flash-IP solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with global design and manufacturing operations.

The 25LC160A/B family was designed specifically for reliable, low-power, SPI-based nonvolatile data storage in resource-constrained embedded systems - emphasizing deterministic write timing, hardware write protection, and industrial-grade reliability.

FAQ

What is the maximum SPI clock frequency supported by the 25LC160AT-I/ST?

The 25LC160AT-I/ST supports up to 10 MHz SPI clock frequency when VCC is 4.5–5.5 V. At 2.5–4.5 V, the maximum clock drops to 5 MHz, and at 1.8–2.5 V (not applicable to this 'LC' variant), it is 3 MHz. These limits are defined in Table 1-2 of DS21807D and ensure setup/hold timing margins are met across voltage and temperature ranges.

Does the 25LC160AT-I/ST support page write operations, and what is the page size?

Yes, the 25LC160AT-I/ST supports page write operations with a fixed 16-byte page size, as confirmed in the Device Selection Table and Section 2.3. Writing more than 16 bytes without crossing a page boundary requires issuing multiple page writes - attempting to cross a boundary causes wraparound within the current page, not continuation to the next.

How does hardware write protection work on the 25LC160AT-I/ST?

Hardware write protection on the 25LC160AT-I/ST requires both the WP pin (Pin 3) to be low AND the WPEN bit (bit 7 of STATUS register) to be set to '1'. When both conditions are met, writes to the nonvolatile STATUS register bits (BP0, BP1, WPEN) are blocked - memory array writes remain permitted unless disabled by BP bits or WEL state.

What is the purpose of the HOLD pin on the 25LC160AT-I/ST, and how must it be used?

The HOLD pin on the 25LC160AT-I/ST suspends ongoing SPI communication (e.g., mid-read or mid-write) without resetting the internal state. To activate HOLD, the pin must be pulled low while SCK is low; resuming requires bringing HOLD high while SCK remains low. During HOLD, SI, SO, and SCK enter high-impedance states.

Is the 25LC160AT-I/ST compatible with 3.3 V microcontrollers, and what are its voltage requirements?

Yes, the 25LC160AT-I/ST is fully compatible with 3.3 V microcontrollers, operating across 2.5–5.5 V VCC. Its input thresholds (VIH1 = 2.0 V min, VIL1 = 0.8 V max at VCC ≥ 2.7 V) ensure reliable logic-level recognition from 3.3 V SPI masters without level shifters, and its 5.5 V absolute maximum rating provides margin against supply transients.