Microchip Technology 25LC160B-I/P

Overview

25LC160B-I/P from Microchip Technology Inc. is a 16 Kbit (2048 × 8) SPI-compatible serial EEPROM with 32-byte page write capability, 10 MHz max clock frequency, and industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C). It operates from 2.5V to 5.5V, features hardware write protection via WP pin and STATUS register, and is used for nonvolatile parameter storage in embedded control systems, sensor calibration modules, and power supply configuration memory.

For engineers reviewing the 25LC160B-I/P datasheet, 25LC160B-I/P pinout, 25LC160B-I/P application, or 25LC160B-I/P equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical specs, validated SPI timing behavior at 2.5–5.5V, confirmed 32-byte page architecture, and real-world design implications of HOLD/CS/WP interaction - critical for interrupt-safe firmware updates and robust boot-time configuration recovery.

Technical Context

The 25LC160B-I/P implements a true SPI Mode 0,0 interface (CPOL = 0, CPHA = 0) with separate SI/SO lines and active-low CS, supporting byte and page writes up to 32 bytes within a single physical page boundary. Its internal write cycle is self-timed (max 5 ms), and the HOLD pin suspends ongoing transfers without resetting the internal address pointer.

It integrates a nonvolatile STATUS register with WIP, WEL, BP0/BP1, and WPEN bits, enabling selective block protection (none, 1/4, 1/2, or full array) and hardware write-disable when WP = low and WPEN = 1. Power-on reset clears WEL and places SO in high-impedance state.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

25LC160B-I/P is packaged in an 8-lead PDIP (Plastic Dual In-line Package) with 0.300-inch body width, through-hole mounting, and RoHS-compliant matte tin finish.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 25LC160B-I/P, the 25LC160B-I/SN offers identical electrical behavior in a compact surface-mount package ideal for automated assembly, while the AT25160B-10PU-2.7 sacrifices 2.5V support and HOLD capability for Atmel-specific ecosystem integration - making the original PDIP variant optimal for prototyping, legacy through-hole designs, and 2.5V–3.3V mixed-voltage systems requiring interrupt-safe SPI pauses.

Availability

25LC160B-I/P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control, smart energy metering, automotive body electronics, and medical device calibration requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for 25LC160B-I/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 microcontroller, analog, FPGA, and memory solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with global design and manufacturing operations.

The 25LC160B belongs to Microchip's 25XX160 serial EEPROM family, designed specifically for reliable, low-power, SPI-based nonvolatile storage in cost-sensitive industrial, automotive, and medical applications where write endurance and data retention are mission-critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum clock frequency supported by the 25LC160B-I/P, and how does it vary with supply voltage?

The 25LC160B-I/P supports up to 10 MHz at VCC ≥ 4.5V, 5 MHz at 2.5V ≤ VCC < 4.5V, and is not rated for operation below 2.5V. This voltage-dependent frequency scaling ensures signal integrity and timing margin across its full 2.5–5.5V operating range - critical for interoperability with both 3.3V and 5V MCUs without external clock dividers. The 25LC160B-I/P datasheet specifies these limits in Table 1-2 under FCLK.

How does the 32-byte page size of the 25LC160B-I/P affect firmware write routines compared to 16-byte variants?

The 32-byte page size of the 25LC160B-I/P doubles the maximum contiguous write length per CS assertion, reducing SPI transaction overhead by half versus 16-byte-page devices like the 25LC160A. However, firmware must enforce page boundaries: writing across a 32-byte boundary wraps data to the start of the same page instead of advancing - requiring explicit address alignment checks before initiating page writes in the 25LC160B-I/P driver layer.

Can the HOLD pin on the 25LC160B-I/P be used to pause a write operation, or only read sequences?

The HOLD pin on the 25LC160B-I/P can pause both read and write sequences - but only before the internal write cycle begins. Once CS goes high after the final data bit, the 25LC160B-I/P initiates its self-timed 5 ms write cycle, during which HOLD has no effect. HOLD is effective only during active SPI transfers (CS = low), allowing interruption of multi-byte reads or pre-write instruction/address transmission without losing state.

What write protection mechanisms are implemented in the 25LC160B-I/P, and how do they interact?

The 25LC160B-I/P implements three layered protections: (1) Write Enable Latch (WEL) reset on power-up, (2) STATUS register BP0/BP1 bits for software-selectable 1/4, 1/2, or full array block protection, and (3) hardware WP pin enabled only when WPEN = 1 in STATUS. These operate independently - e.g., WP = low blocks STATUS writes but not memory writes if WPEN = 0. All are documented in the 25LC160B-I/P datasheet Sections 2.5–2.6 and Table 2-3.

Is the 25LC160B-I/P compatible with SPI Mode 1,1 or other clock phase/polarity configurations?

No, the 25LC160B-I/P is strictly compliant with SPI Mode 0,0 (CPOL = 0, CPHA = 0): clock idles low, data sampled on rising edge, and output changes after falling edge. Attempting Mode 1,1 or other variants will cause misreads and corrupted writes. This is explicitly defined in Section 2.1 and Figure 1-2 of the 25LC160B-I/P datasheet, and confirmed by the timing diagrams for SI/SO relative to SCK.