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Microchip Technology 25LC160-I/SN

Name: 25LC160-I/SN
Brand: Microchip Technology
SKU: 25LC160-I/SN
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: 25LC160-I/SN

Manufacturer:: Microchip Technology

Category:: Memory

Package:: 8-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)

Datasheet:: 25LC160-I/SN.pdf

Description:: IC EEPROM 16KBIT SPI 2MHZ 8SOIC

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Inventory:1,757

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Product details

Overview

25LC160-I/SN from Microchip Technology is a 16 Kbit (2048 × 8) SPI Serial EEPROM with industrial temperature range (−40°C to +85°C), 2 MHz max clock frequency at V_CC = 2.5–4.5 V, and 8-pin SOIC (SN) package. It features hardware write protection via WP pin, HOLD functionality for interrupt-safe serial pauses, and 16-byte page write capability. It is used in embedded systems for nonvolatile storage of configuration data, calibration parameters, and firmware patches.

For engineers reviewing the 25LC160-I/SN datasheet, 25LC160-I/SN pinout, 25LC160-I/SN application, or 25LC160-I/SN equivalent, key selection criteria include V_CC operating range (2.5–5.5 V), write endurance (1 million cycles), data retention (>200 years), and SPI Mode 0,0/1,1 compatibility with microcontroller peripherals.

Technical Context

The 25LC160-I/SN implements a standard SPI interface with separate SI (data in) and SO (data out) lines, CS-controlled device selection, and SCK-synchronized communication. Its internal architecture includes a status register with WIP, WEL, BP0/BP1, and WPEN bits, enabling programmable block protection and hardware write-disable control.

It supports sequential read, byte/page write, and status register access using fixed 8-bit opcodes (e.g., 0x03 for READ, 0x02 for WRITE). The HOLD pin suspends ongoing transfers without resetting the internal address pointer, and the WP pin-when enabled via WPEN-blocks writes to nonvolatile status bits while allowing normal memory operations.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
Memory size	16 Kbit (2048 × 8) - provides sufficient space for boot configuration, sensor calibration tables, or small firmware updates in resource-constrained systems.
Interface	SPI-compatible serial bus (Mode 0,0 and 1,1) - ensures interoperability with PIC, ARM Cortex-M, and other MCU SPI peripherals without protocol translation.
Max clock frequency	2 MHz at V_CC = 2.5–4.5 V - enables fast read/write throughput (up to ~200 kB/s theoretical burst read) while maintaining timing margins in noisy industrial environments.
Write cycle time	5 ms maximum - defines worst-case latency for committing data; critical for real-time logging where deterministic write completion is required.
Endurance & retention	1 million erase/write cycles; >200 years data retention - supports long-life deployments in metering, industrial controls, and medical devices with infrequent but mission-critical writes.
V_CC range	2.5 V to 5.5 V - allows direct integration into 3.3 V and 5 V logic domains without level-shifting circuitry.
Operating temperature	−40°C to +85°C (Industrial) - qualified for use in factory automation, HVAC controllers, and outdoor instrumentation without derating.

Pinout & Package

8-pin SOIC (SN) package, 150 mil body width, JEDEC MS-012 compliant. Pin 1 marked by notch or dot; leads are gull-wing, surface-mount compatible.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
CS (Pin 1)	Chip Select input	Active-low enable: pulls device out of standby; rising edge after write sequence initiates internal write cycle; high-impedance SO when deasserted enables multi-device SPI bus sharing.
SO (Pin 2)	Serial Output	Data-out line: outputs memory contents on falling edge of SCK during READ; tri-states when CS high or HOLD low - prevents bus contention.
WP (Pin 3)	Write-Protect input	Hardware lock: disables writes to nonvolatile status bits when WPEN=1 and WP=low; no effect on memory writes unless configured via Status Register.
VSS (Pin 4)	Ground reference	Return path for all I/O and core logic; must be low-impedance connection to minimize noise coupling into sensitive EEPROM array.
SI (Pin 5)	Serial Input	Data-in line: accepts opcodes, addresses, and write data on rising edge of SCK; latched synchronously to avoid metastability in noisy environments.
SCK (Pin 6)	Serial Clock input	Master-generated clock: defines timing for all SPI transactions; rise/fall times ≤2 µs required to meet setup/hold margins across full V_CC and temperature range.
HOLD (Pin 7)	Transfer suspend input	Pauses active SPI sequence without resetting address pointer; requires SCK low before assertion; tri-states SI/SO/SCK during hold - enables servicing of higher-priority MCU interrupts.
VCC (Pin 8)	Supply voltage	Core power: powers EEPROM array, logic, and I/O buffers; bypass capacitor (0.1 µF) required near pin to suppress supply transients during write cycles.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
16-byte page write	Enables efficient bulk programming: up to 16 contiguous bytes written per 5 ms internal cycle, reducing host MCU overhead versus single-byte writes.
Block write protection	Configurable via BP0/BP1 bits: protects 0%, 25%, 50%, or 100% of memory (0000h–07FFh) - safeguards bootloader or calibration sectors from accidental overwrite.
Hardware write-enable latch	WREN/WRDI instructions control write permission state; latch resets automatically after power-up or successful WRITE/WRSR - prevents spurious writes during brown-out or reset.
Low-power operation	500 nA typical standby current and 3 mA max write current - extends battery life in portable or energy-harvesting applications such as wireless sensors.
HOLD pin functionality	Interrupt-safe pause/resume: preserves full SPI context (address, instruction, byte count) during MCU interrupt service - eliminates need for retransmission or state tracking.

Applications

Industrial Sensor Calibration	Embedded Firmware Patch Storage
Use Scenario: Storing temperature-compensation coefficients and sensor offset values during factory calibration of pressure or humidity sensors. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Nonvolatile parameter store accessed at system startup and during field recalibration; SPI reads occur within 100 µs; writes triggered only during maintenance mode. Use Value: Enables field-upgradable calibration without replacing hardware; 1M-cycle endurance supports >10 years of annual recalibration in deployed equipment.	Use Scenario: Holding firmware patch images for over-the-air (OTA) updates in networked industrial gateways. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Secondary code storage: patched routines loaded into RAM at boot; 25LC160-I/SN serves as secure, tamper-resistant backup until verified and committed. Use Value: Isolates update payload from main flash; prevents bricking during partial OTA failure; WP pin locks patch area during normal operation.
Power Meter Configuration	Medical Device Settings Backup
Use Scenario: Retaining tariff schedules, CT/PT ratios, and demand reset timestamps in ANSI C12.22-compliant electricity meters. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Configuration EEPROM: written once per billing cycle or user setting change; read at every power-on; operates reliably across −40°C to +85°C ambient. Use Value: Meets ANSI C12.19 data retention requirements (>20 years); 5.5 V V_CC tolerance accommodates meter auxiliary supply variations.	Use Scenario: Preserving user-adjusted therapy parameters (e.g., infusion rate, alarm thresholds) in portable insulin pumps and nebulizers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Safety-critical settings store: write-protected via BP bits to prevent accidental modification; accessed via isolated SPI bus with CRC-checked transfers. Use Value: Ensures regulatory compliance (IEC 62304) for persistent configuration; >200-year data retention eliminates need for battery-backed SRAM.

Industrial Sensor Calibration

Embedded Firmware Patch Storage

Use Scenario: Storing temperature-compensation coefficients and sensor offset values during factory calibration of pressure or humidity sensors.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Nonvolatile parameter store accessed at system startup and during field recalibration; SPI reads occur within 100 µs; writes triggered only during maintenance mode.

Use Value: Enables field-upgradable calibration without replacing hardware; 1M-cycle endurance supports >10 years of annual recalibration in deployed equipment.

Use Scenario: Holding firmware patch images for over-the-air (OTA) updates in networked industrial gateways.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Secondary code storage: patched routines loaded into RAM at boot; 25LC160-I/SN serves as secure, tamper-resistant backup until verified and committed.

Use Value: Isolates update payload from main flash; prevents bricking during partial OTA failure; WP pin locks patch area during normal operation.

Power Meter Configuration

Medical Device Settings Backup

Use Scenario: Retaining tariff schedules, CT/PT ratios, and demand reset timestamps in ANSI C12.22-compliant electricity meters.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Configuration EEPROM: written once per billing cycle or user setting change; read at every power-on; operates reliably across −40°C to +85°C ambient.

Use Value: Meets ANSI C12.19 data retention requirements (>20 years); 5.5 V V_CC tolerance accommodates meter auxiliary supply variations.

Use Scenario: Preserving user-adjusted therapy parameters (e.g., infusion rate, alarm thresholds) in portable insulin pumps and nebulizers.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Safety-critical settings store: write-protected via BP bits to prevent accidental modification; accessed via isolated SPI bus with CRC-checked transfers.

Use Value: Ensures regulatory compliance (IEC 62304) for persistent configuration; >200-year data retention eliminates need for battery-backed SRAM.

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
25AA160-I/SN	1.8–5.5 V V_CC, 1 MHz max clock, same pinout/package - lower voltage support enables direct use with 1.8 V MCUs.	Preferred for ultra-low-power or mixed-voltage systems where 1.8 V operation is required; not suitable for 2.5 V–only designs needing 2 MHz speed.	Select when system V_CC may drop below 2.5 V or when interfacing with 1.8 V logic; verify timing margins at 1 MHz.
25LC160A-I/SN	Pin-compatible revision with enhanced ESD (6 kV HBM), improved AC specs, and updated reliability characterization - same 2.5–5.5 V range and 2 MHz speed.	Drop-in replacement for new designs; recommended where long-term supply continuity and latest qualification data are priorities.	Choose for new designs requiring extended lifecycle support; note that 25LC160-I/SN is marked "Not recommended for new designs" per DS21231E.

Compared with 25AA160-I/SN, the 25LC160-I/SN delivers higher SPI throughput (2 MHz vs. 1 MHz) at 2.5 V+, while 25LC160A-I/SN offers improved robustness and future-proofing - making the original 25LC160-I/SN optimal for cost-sensitive legacy industrial upgrades where 2 MHz timing is essential and 1.8 V operation is unnecessary.

Availability

25LC160-I/SN is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration, power meter configuration, and medical device settings backup requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for 25LC160-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 components, and memory solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with global design and manufacturing operations.

The 25LC160-I/SN belongs to Microchip's SPI Serial EEPROM product line, designed specifically for reliable, low-power nonvolatile data storage in industrial, automotive, and medical applications where endurance, data retention, and SPI interoperability are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum clock frequency supported by the 25LC160-I/SN?

The 25LC160-I/SN supports up to 2 MHz maximum clock frequency when V_CC is between 2.5 V and 4.5 V. At V_CC = 4.5–5.5 V, it supports up to 3 MHz, but the 25LC160-I/SN variant is specified for 2 MHz per the Device Selection Table. This timing ensures reliable operation across its full −40°C to +85°C industrial temperature range without margin violations.

Does the 25LC160-I/SN support hardware write protection?

Yes, the 25LC160-I/SN supports hardware write protection via the WP pin in conjunction with the WPEN bit in its Status Register. When WPEN = 1 and WP = low, writes to nonvolatile status bits are disabled. Memory array writes remain enabled unless blocked by BP0/BP1 configuration. This dual-layer protection prevents accidental corruption of critical configuration data.

What package type does the 25LC160-I/SN use?

The 25LC160-I/SN uses an 8-pin Plastic Small Outline (SOIC) package with 150 mil body width, designated SN in Microchip's part numbering system. It complies with JEDEC MS-012 and is surface-mount compatible with standard reflow profiles. Pin 1 is marked by a notch or dot, and lead finish is matte tin.

How many write/erase cycles does the 25LC160-I/SN guarantee?

The 25LC160-I/SN guarantees 1 million write/erase cycles per memory location, as specified in the Electrical Characteristics table (Param. No. 21). This endurance rating is ensured by characterization and supports long-term field deployment in applications requiring periodic updates, such as energy meter tariff changes or sensor recalibration.

Is the 25LC160-I/SN compatible with SPI Mode 0,0 and Mode 1,1?

Yes, the 25LC160-I/SN is fully compatible with both SPI Mode 0,0 (CPOL = 0, CPHA = 0) and Mode 1,1 (CPOL = 1, CPHA = 1), as confirmed by the Serial Input/Output Timing diagrams and functional description. Data is sampled on the rising edge of SCK and output on the falling edge, matching standard SPI master configurations in most microcontrollers.

25LC160-I/SN Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: Microchip Technology

Series:: -

Package/Case:: 8-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)

Packaging:: Tube

Product Status:: Active

Programmable:: Verified

Memory Type:: Non-Volatile

Memory Format:: EEPROM

Technology:: EEPROM

Memory Size:: 16Kbit

Memory Organization:: 2K x 8

Memory Interface:: SPI

Clock Frequency:: 2 MHz

Write Cycle Time - Word, Page:: 5ms

Access Time:: -

Voltage - Supply:: 2.5V ~ 5.5V

Operating Temperature:: -40°C ~ 85°C (TA)

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Surface Mount

Supplier Device Package:: 8-SOIC

25LC160-I/SN FAQ

1.How can I place an order for 25LC160-I/SN through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for 25LC160-I/SN on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.

2.Are the price and stock information for 25LC160-I/SN reliable?

The price and inventory of 25LC160-I/SN are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for 25LC160-I/SN is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for 25LC160-I/SN?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for 25LC160-I/SN transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for 25LC160-I/SN?

25LC160-I/SN orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your 25LC160-I/SN order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.

Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.

5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for 25LC160-I/SN?

For technical support, including 25LC160-I/SN datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your 25LC160-I/SN requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that 25LC160-I/SN is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All 25LC160-I/SN products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that 25LC160-I/SN meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of 25LC160-I/SN?

All 25LC160-I/SN units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with 25LC160-I/SN, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:

1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.

2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.

3.The 25LC160-I/SN part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for 25LC160-I/SN:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.

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