Microchip Technology 25LC160BT-I/SN

Overview

25LC160BT-I/SN from Microchip Technology Inc. is a 16 Kbit (2048 × 8) SPI Serial EEPROM with 32-byte page size, 2.5–5.5 V supply range, and Industrial temperature grade (–40°C to +85°C), housed in an 8-lead SOIC package (SN). 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 for nonvolatile configuration storage in microcontroller-based embedded systems.

For engineers reviewing the 25LC160BT-I/SN datasheet, 25LC160BT-I/SN pinout, 25LC160BT-I/SN application, or 25LC160BT-I/SN equivalent, key selection considerations include SPI timing compliance at 5.5 V/10 MHz, page-write boundary handling (32-byte alignment), HOLD pin interrupt-suspend capability, and block-level write protection granularity (none/¼/½/all array).

Technical Context

The 25LC160BT-I/SN implements a standard SPI Mode 0,0 interface with separate SI (data-in) and SO (data-out) lines, requiring CS assertion, SCK synchronization, and optional HOLD suspension. Its internal architecture includes an 8-bit instruction register, page latches, HV generator for EEPROM programming, and a STATUS register with WIP, WEL, BP0/BP1, and WPEN bits.

Write operations require explicit WREN instruction followed by WRITE command and address; page writes are limited to 32 bytes within a single physical page (0000h–001Fh, 0020h–003Fh, etc.), with wraparound behavior on boundary violation. The device resets WEL on power-up, WRDI, WRSR, or successful WRITE completion, enforcing strict write-enable discipline.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

8-lead SOIC package (SN), 3.9 mm × 4.9 mm body, 1.27 mm pitch, 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 25LC160AT-I/SN, the 25LC160BT-I/SN doubles page capacity for faster bulk writes; versus AT25DF021-SSH-T, it offers deterministic 5 ms writes, hardware write protection, and true byte-alterable memory ideal for dynamic configuration storage.

Availability

25LC160BT-I/SN is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration, medical device configuration, automotive body control modules, and IoT edge node identity storage requiring stable component supply across extended production lifecycles.

Supply support for 25LC160BT-I/SN 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, FPGA, and memory solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with global design and manufacturing operations.

The 25LC160B series belongs to Microchip's legacy SPI Serial EEPROM product line, designed specifically for reliable, low-power, byte-addressable nonvolatile storage in resource-constrained embedded systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum SPI clock frequency supported by the 25LC160BT-I/SN?

The 25LC160BT-I/SN 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 ensure setup/hold timing margins per AC specifications in DS21807D, and exceeding them risks read/write corruption.

Does the 25LC160BT-I/SN require external pull-up resistors on its SO or SI lines?

No, the 25LC160BT-I/SN does not require external pull-ups on SO or SI. Its SO pin is actively driven and tri-stated when deselected (CS high), and SI is CMOS-input with no pull-up/down requirement. Pull-ups are unnecessary unless shared-bus contention or noise immunity in long traces demands them - not a specification-driven requirement for the 25LC160BT-I/SN.

How does the HOLD pin function during an active SPI transaction on the 25LC160BT-I/SN?

During an active SPI transaction, pulling HOLD low (while SCK is low) suspends communication: SI, SCK, and SO enter high-impedance states, and the internal state machine freezes. The host MCU can service interrupts, then resume by raising HOLD while SCK remains low - the 25LC160BT-I/SN continues from the exact bit position where HOLD was asserted, without retransmission.

Can the 25LC160BT-I/SN be used in a 1.8 V system?

No, the 25LC160BT-I/SN is not rated for 1.8 V operation. Its specified VCC range is 2.5–5.5 V. For 1.8 V systems, Microchip's 25AA160B variants (e.g., 25AA160BT-I/SN) are qualified down to 1.8 V. Using the 25LC160BT-I/SN below 2.5 V violates absolute maximum ratings and may cause unreliable reads, failed writes, or premature wear.

What happens if a page write crosses a 32-byte boundary on the 25LC160BT-I/SN?

If a page write command attempts to cross a 32-byte boundary (e.g., writing 32 bytes starting at address 0x001F), the 25LC160BT-I/SN wraps the excess bytes back to the start of the same page (0x0000h–0x001Fh), overwriting earlier data. This behavior is documented in DS21807D and requires firmware to validate address alignment before issuing page writes to prevent unintended data loss.