Microchip Technology 47C04-E/P

Overview

47C04-E/P from Microchip Technology is a 4 Kbit (512 × 8) I²C serial EERAM combining volatile SRAM with nonvolatile EEPROM backup, operating at 4.5–5.5 V and supporting up to 1 MHz I²C clock, with automatic power-loss store via external capacitor and hardware/software-initiated recall-used in industrial control logging and automotive infotainment configuration storage.

For engineers reviewing the 47C04-E/P datasheet, 47C04-E/P pinout, 47C04-E/P application, or 47C04-E/P equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical specs, I²C timing constraints, SRAM-EEPROM store/recall behavior, write-protection granularity, and real-world use cases for reliable data retention in brown-out-prone systems.

Technical Context

The 47C04-E/P implements a dual-memory architecture where SRAM provides infinite read/write cycles while EEPROM preserves data across power loss. Its I²C interface uses Schmitt-trigger inputs, supports cascading up to four devices, and enforces strict bus timing-including 500 ns minimum SCL high/low times and 250 ns setup/hold requirements for START/STOP conditions.

Store and recall operations are managed through three independent mechanisms: auto-store triggered by VCC falling below 4.0–4.4 V (VTRIP), hardware store via HS pin pulse ≥150 ns, and software store using COMMAND register (0x55 → 0x33). The STATUS register (0x00) tracks array modification (AM bit), enables/disables auto-store (ASE), and configures 1/64–full-array write protection via BP<2:0>.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

47C04-E/P is supplied in an 8-lead PDIP (Plastic Dual In-line Package) with 0.3 inch body width, lead pitch of 0.1 inch, and through-hole mounting suitable for prototyping and legacy industrial PCBs.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 47C04-E/P, the 47L04-I/P shifts voltage compatibility to 3.3 V domains while retaining identical functionality, whereas the FM24CL04B replaces EEPROM-based store with ferroelectric RAM-removing capacitor dependency and store latency but sacrificing the HS-triggered event flag and precise VTRIP control.

Availability

47C04-E/P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLC configuration storage, automotive infotainment settings retention, and medical device calibration logging requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for 47C04-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 is a global semiconductor company specializing in microcontrollers, analog devices, and memory solutions, with design centers and manufacturing facilities across the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

The 47C04-E/P belongs to Microchip's EERAM product line, engineered specifically for systems needing seamless SRAM-like performance with EEPROM-level nonvolatility-targeting industrial, automotive, and medical applications where power reliability is mission-critical.

FAQ

What is the function of the VCAP pin on the 47C04-E/P?

The VCAP pin on the 47C04-E/P connects to an external 3.5–4.7 µF capacitor that supplies hold-up energy during power loss, enabling automatic SRAM-to-EEPROM store when VCC falls below 4.0–4.4 V. Without VCAP, auto-store is disabled and the pin must be tied to VCC to prevent EEPROM corruption-this behavior is defined in the 47C04-E/P datasheet Section 1.1 and Figure 1-2.

How does the 47C04-E/P handle I²C bus arbitration and timing compliance?

The 47C04-E/P complies fully with standard I²C timing: minimum SCL high/low times of 500 ns, START/STOP setup/hold of 250 ns, and rise/fall times ≤300 ns. It uses Schmitt-trigger inputs on SDA and SCL to suppress noise, and supports multi-master arbitration via open-drain signaling-verified in DS20005371E-page 5 AC Characteristics Table 1-2 and Figure 1-1.

Can the 47C04-E/P be used without connecting the A1 and A2 pins?

No-the A1 and A2 pins on the 47C04-E/P must be hard-wired to VCC or VSS to set the two least-significant address bits of the I²C client address (1010 A2 A1 0 R/W). Leaving them floating violates the device's addressing protocol and causes unpredictable ACK/NACK behavior during communication, as specified in Section 2.2 and Table 2-3 of the 47C04-E/P datasheet.

What is the maximum number of 47C04-E/P devices that can share one I²C bus?

Up to four 47C04-E/P devices can be cascaded on a single I²C bus by configuring unique combinations of A1 and A2 pins (00, 01, 10, 11), yielding distinct client addresses 1010000R/W through 1010110R/W. This limit is enforced by the 2-bit user-configurable address space and is documented in the Device Selection Table and Section 2.2 of the 47C04-E/P datasheet.

Does the 47C04-E/P require external pull-up resistors on SDA and SCL lines?

Yes-the 47C04-E/P features open-drain SDA and SCL outputs and requires external pull-up resistors (typically 1–10 kΩ to VCC) to establish valid logic-high levels. Pull-up strength must be selected per bus capacitance (≤400 pF) and target clock speed (up to 1 MHz), as defined in Table 1-1 (C_B) and Figure 1-1 of the 47C04-E/P datasheet.