Microchip Technology 25LC160B-E/P

Overview

25LC160B-E/P from Microchip Technology Inc. is a 16 Kbit (2048 × 8) SPI Serial EEPROM with 32-byte page write capability, 10 MHz max clock frequency, and industrial/automotive temperature support (–40°C to +125°C). It operates from 2.5V to 5.5V and features hardware write protection via WP pin and STATUS register control, used for nonvolatile configuration storage in microcontroller-based embedded systems.

For engineers reviewing the 25LC160B-E/P datasheet, 25LC160B-E/P pinout, 25LC160B-E/P application, or 25LC160B-E/P equivalent, key selection criteria include page size (32 B), automotive-grade temp range (–40°C to +125°C), VCC min (2.5 V), write cycle time (5 ms), and SPI interface compatibility with PIC® and other MCU families.

Technical Context

The 25LC160B-E/P implements a standard SPI Mode 0,0/Master-Slave interface with separate SI (data-in) and SO (data-out) lines, CS-controlled selection, and HOLD pin for transaction suspension without reset. Its internal architecture includes an 8-bit instruction register, page latches, HV generator for EEPROM programming, and status register with WIP, WEL, BP0/BP1, and WPEN bits.

Write operations require explicit WREN instruction before WRITE, with automatic WEL reset after completion; block protection supports four configurations (none, upper 1/4, upper 1/2, or full array) via BP0/BP1 bits. Page writes are bounded to 32-byte physical pages - crossing boundaries wraps data within the same page.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

25LC160B-E/P is packaged in 8-lead PDIP (Plastic Dual In-line Package), with 0.300-inch body width and through-hole mounting. Pin 1 is CS (Chip Select), Pin 4 is VSS (Ground), Pin 8 is VCC (Supply Voltage); all pins conform to JEDEC MS-001 standard.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 25LC160B-E/P, the 25LC160B-I/P offers identical electrical performance at lower temperature qualification, while the AT25160B-MAHL-T trades HOLD and hardware WP for broader vendor availability but reduced system-level robustness in transient-prone environments.

Availability

25LC160B-E/P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration, automotive ECU configuration, medical device settings backup, and IoT edge node identity storage requiring stable component supply across extended lifecycles.

Supply support for 25LC160B-E/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 microcontrollers, analog devices, and memory solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with global manufacturing and support infrastructure.

The 25LC160B-E/P belongs to Microchip's 25XX160A/B family of SPI Serial EEPROMs, designed specifically for reliable, low-power nonvolatile data storage in automotive, industrial, and medical applications demanding high endurance and wide temperature operation.

FAQ

What is the maximum clock frequency supported by the 25LC160B-E/P?

The 25LC160B-E/P supports up to 10 MHz SPI clock frequency when VCC is 4.5 V to 5.5 V. At 2.5 V to 4.5 V, the maximum clock drops to 5 MHz, and at 1.8 V (not applicable to this part), it would be 3 MHz. These limits ensure reliable setup/hold timing and signal integrity across voltage and temperature ranges.

Does the 25LC160B-E/P support page write operations, and what is the page size?

Yes, the 25LC160B-E/P supports page write operations with a fixed 32-byte page size. This allows up to 32 bytes to be written in a single SPI transaction, provided all addresses fall within the same physical page boundary (e.g., 0x000–0x01F, 0x020–0x03F). Crossing boundaries wraps data to the start of the current page.

How does hardware write protection work on the 25LC160B-E/P?

Hardware write protection on the 25LC160B-E/P 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 enabled, this configuration blocks writes to the STATUS register only - memory array reads, writes, and byte/page operations remain fully functional.

What is the purpose of the HOLD pin on the 25LC160B-E/P?

The HOLD pin on the 25LC160B-E/P pauses ongoing SPI communication without resetting the internal address pointer or command state. When pulled low (with SCK low), SI/SO/SCK enter high-impedance, allowing the host MCU to service higher-priority interrupts and resume exactly where it left off upon releasing HOLD.

Is the 25LC160B-E/P RoHS compliant and Pb-free?

Yes, the 25LC160B-E/P is Pb-free and RoHS compliant, as confirmed in the DS21807D datasheet. The PDIP package uses matte tin (Sn) plating per JEDEC standards, and packaging markings include the Pb-free JEDEC designator (3e) on outer packaging.