Microchip Technology 25LC160C-E/P

Overview

25LC160C-E/P from Microchip Technology Inc. is a 16 Kbit SPI Serial EEPROM with 2048 × 8-bit organization, 16-byte page write capability, and industrial/automotive temperature support (–40°C to +125°C). It operates from 2.5V to 5.5V, supports up to 10 MHz clock frequency, and delivers 5 mA read/write current at 5.5V - used for nonvolatile parameter storage in microcontroller-based embedded systems requiring robust data retention and hardware write protection.

For engineers reviewing the 25LC160C-E/P datasheet, 25LC160C-E/P pinout, 25LC160C-E/P application, or 25LC160C-E/P equivalent, key selection criteria include SPI timing compliance (T_CSS, T_SU, T_WC), page-write boundary handling, WPEN/WP hardware lock behavior, and automotive-grade endurance (>1M cycles, >200 years retention).

Technical Context

The 25LC160C-E/P implements a standard SPI Mode 0,0 interface with separate SI (data-in) and SO (data-out) lines, requiring CS, SCK, and HOLD control. Its internal architecture includes an 8-bit instruction register, page latches, and a high-voltage generator for EEPROM programming - enabling byte- and page-write operations with automatic address incrementing during sequential reads.

Write operations require explicit WREN instruction followed by CS high-to-low transition to initiate internal 5 ms max. self-timed erase/write cycle; STATUS register (WIP, WEL, BP0/BP1) provides real-time monitoring and configurable block protection (none, 1/4, 1/2, or full array), while WP pin + WPEN bit enable hardware-level write disable independent of software state.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

25LC160C-E/P is supplied in 8-lead PDIP (Plastic Dual In-line Package) with 0.3 inch body width, RoHS-compliant matte tin lead finish, and JEDEC-standard pinout. The package supports through-hole mounting and manual rework, with thermal characteristics suitable for industrial ambient conditions.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 25LC160D-E/P, the 25LC160C-E/P offers tighter page granularity for fine-grained parameter updates, while AT25DF021-SSH-T trades deterministic 5 ms writes and HOLD functionality for higher density and quad-I/O bandwidth - making it unsuitable for safety-critical pause-on-interrupt use cases.

Availability

25LC160C-E/P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration, automotive body control modules, medical infusion pump settings, and smart energy meter firmware patch storage requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for 25LC160C-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 microcontroller, analog, FPGA, and memory solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with global design and manufacturing operations.

The 25LC160C-E/P belongs to Microchip's legacy SPI Serial EEPROM product line, engineered for cost-sensitive, high-reliability embedded systems requiring simple, proven nonvolatile storage with automotive-grade qualification and minimal external components.

FAQ

What is the maximum clock frequency supported by the 25LC160C-E/P?

The 25LC160C-E/P supports up to 10 MHz SPI clock frequency when V_CC is 4.5V to 5.5V, 5 MHz at 2.5V to <4.5V, and 3 MHz at 1.8V to <2.5V. These limits are defined by AC timing parameters including T_CSS, T_SU, and T_LO; exceeding them risks setup/hold violations and read/write corruption. The 25LC160C-E/P datasheet DS22150B specifies these values in Table 1-2.

How does the HOLD pin function during an active SPI transaction on the 25LC160C-E/P?

The HOLD pin on the 25LC160C-E/P pauses ongoing SPI communication without resetting internal state: when pulled low while SCK is low, SI/SO/SCK enter high-impedance and all inputs except CS are ignored. Resuming requires bringing HOLD high while SCK remains low. This allows the host MCU to service higher-priority interrupts and resume exactly where the transaction left off - a feature confirmed in Section 2.8 and Figure 1-1 of the 25LC160C-E/P datasheet.

What page size does the 25LC160C-E/P use, and why does it matter for firmware design?

The 25LC160C-E/P uses a fixed 16-byte page size, meaning up to 16 contiguous bytes can be written in a single page-write command. Crossing a page boundary (e.g., writing bytes ending at 0x00F then continuing at 0x010) causes data to wrap to the start of the same page instead of advancing - potentially overwriting prior data. Host firmware must enforce page-aligned writes, verified in Section 2.3 and Table 2-3 of the 25LC160C-E/P documentation.

Can the 25LC160C-E/P be used in automotive applications requiring AEC-Q100 qualification?

Yes - the 'E' suffix in 25LC160C-E/P denotes Automotive temperature grade (–40°C to +125°C), and the device is specified to meet AEC-Q100 stress test requirements for reliability and lifetime. Its >1M endurance, >200-year data retention, and 4 kV ESD rating align with automotive subsystem needs; however, final qualification requires validation per customer-specific AEC-Q100 test plans, as stated in Microchip's packaging and reliability reports for the 25LC160C-E/P family.

How is hardware write protection implemented on the 25LC160C-E/P?

Hardware write protection on the 25LC160C-E/P requires both the WP pin (Pin 3) driven low AND the WPEN bit (bit 7 of STATUS register) set to '1'. When both conditions are met, writes to nonvolatile STATUS register bits (BP0, BP1, WPEN) are blocked - though memory array writes remain possible if WEL=1. This dual-gate mechanism is detailed in Table 2-4 and Section 2.6 of the 25LC160C-E/P datasheet DS22150B.