Microchip Technology 25LC160CT-I/MNY

Overview

25LC160CT-I/MNY from Microchip Technology is a 16 Kbit (2048 × 8) SPI serial EEPROM with 16-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, supports hardware write protection via WP pin and STATUS register, and delivers 5 mA read/write current at 5.5V - used for nonvolatile parameter storage in microcontroller-based embedded systems.

For engineers reviewing the 25LC160CT-I/MNY datasheet, 25LC160CT-I/MNY pinout, 25LC160CT-I/MNY application, or 25LC160CT-I/MNY equivalent, key selection criteria include SPI timing compliance at 10 MHz, 16-byte page boundary handling, HOLD pin suspend functionality, VCC range compatibility, and block-level write protection granularity (none/¼/½/all).

Technical Context

The 25LC160CT-I/MNY implements a standard SPI Mode 0,0 (CPOL=0, CPHA=0) interface with separate SI and SO lines, requiring CS assertion and SCK synchronization for all operations. Its internal architecture includes an 8-bit instruction register, page latches, and HV generator for EEPROM programming - enabling self-timed 5 ms max write cycles without external timing control.

It features dual-layer data protection: volatile write-enable latch (WEL) reset on power-up/WRDI/WRITE, and nonvolatile block protection bits (BP1/BP0) controlling write access to memory segments. The HOLD pin suspends ongoing SPI transfers while preserving internal state, allowing host MCU interrupt servicing without sequence restart.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

25LC160CT-I/MNY is housed in an 8-lead 2×3 mm TDFN package (MN suffix), RoHS-compliant and Pb-free, with wettable flank leads for automated optical inspection. Pin 1 is marked by a dot or beveled corner; pin numbering follows standard counter-clockwise layout when viewed top-down.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 25AA160CT-I/MNY, the 25LC160CT-I/MNY offers tighter VCC min (2.5V vs. 1.8V) but broader industrial temp support; versus 25LC160DT-I/MNY, it trades page depth for finer-grained write control - critical where partial-page updates dominate.

Availability

25LC160CT-I/MNY is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor nodes, medical device calibration, and automotive body control modules requiring stable component supply, long-term data integrity, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for 25LC160CT-I/MNY 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 components, and memory solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with global design and manufacturing operations.

The 25LC160C/D series was designed for cost-sensitive, space-constrained embedded systems needing reliable nonvolatile storage with SPI simplicity - targeting industrial automation, automotive subsystems, and consumer electronics.

FAQ

What is the maximum SPI clock frequency supported by the 25LC160CT-I/MNY?

The 25LC160CT-I/MNY supports up to 10 MHz SPI clock frequency when VCC is between 4.5V and 5.5V. At lower supply voltages (2.5V ≤ VCC < 4.5V), the maximum clock drops to 5 MHz, and at 1.8V ≤ VCC < 2.5V it is 3 MHz. These limits ensure reliable setup/hold timing for SI and SO signals as specified in Table 1-2 of the DS22150B datasheet. The 25LC160CT-I/MNY must be operated within these voltage-dependent frequency bounds to guarantee functional correctness.

Does the 25LC160CT-I/MNY support page write operations, and what is the page size?

Yes, the 25LC160CT-I/MNY supports page write operations with a fixed 16-byte page size. Up to 16 bytes can be written in a single command, provided all addresses fall within the same physical page boundary (e.g., 0x000–0x00F, 0x010–0x01F). Crossing a page boundary causes data to wrap to the start of the current page. This behavior is inherent to the 25LC160CT-I/MNY 'C' version and differs from the 32-byte page 'D' variants.

How does hardware write protection work on the 25LC160CT-I/MNY?

Hardware write protection on the 25LC160CT-I/MNY requires both the WP pin (Pin 3) to be driven low AND the WPEN bit (bit 7 of STATUS register) to be set high. When both conditions are met, writes to the nonvolatile STATUS register bits (BP0, BP1, WPEN) are blocked - preserving protection settings. Array writes remain subject to BP bit configuration. The 25LC160CT-I/MNY ignores WP state unless WPEN is active, allowing safe board-level grounding of WP during programming.

What is the purpose of the HOLD pin on the 25LC160CT-I/MNY, and how must it be used?

The HOLD pin on the 25LC160CT-I/MNY pauses ongoing SPI communication without resetting the internal address pointer or command state. To activate HOLD, the pin must be pulled low while SCK is low; releasing HOLD (pulling high) while SCK remains low resumes transmission from the exact point of suspension. During HOLD, SI, SO, and SCK enter high-impedance states. This feature is essential for deterministic interrupt handling in real-time systems using the 25LC160CT-I/MNY.

What are the endurance and data retention specifications for the 25LC160CT-I/MNY?

The 25LC160CT-I/MNY is rated for more than 1 million erase/write cycles and greater than 200 years of data retention at 25°C and VCC = 5.5V. These values are characterized and guaranteed across the industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C). Endurance is measured under typical operating conditions and reflects the robustness of the EEPROM cell technology used in the 25LC160CT-I/MNY, making it suitable for applications requiring long-term field reliability.