Microchip Technology 47C04-I/P

Overview

47C04-I/P from Microchip Technology is a 4 Kbit (512 × 8) I²C serial EERAM combining volatile SRAM with nonvolatile EEPROM backup, operating at 4.5V–5.5V 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 modules requiring persistent memory without battery support.

For engineers reviewing the 47C04-I/P datasheet, 47C04-I/P pinout, 47C04-I/P application, or 47C04-I/P equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical specs, I²C timing constraints, SRAM/EEPROM interaction behavior, VCAP-based auto-store implementation, and real-world use cases in power-interrupt-resilient embedded systems.

Technical Context

The 47C04-I/P implements a dual-memory architecture where SRAM provides infinite read/write cycles while EEPROM retains data for >200 years; Store and Recall operations are triggered by VCC fall/rise crossing VTRIP (4.0–4.4 V), hardware pulse on HS pin, or software commands to COMMAND register (0x55).

I²C interface complies with standard 100 kHz/400 kHz/1 MHz modes, features Schmitt-trigger inputs (SDA/SCL/HS), supports cascading up to four devices via A1/A2 address pins, and enforces write protection through BP<2:0> bits in STATUS register (0x00) controlling 1/64 to full-array lock.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

47C04-I/P is supplied in 8-lead PDIP (Plastic Dual In-line Package), pin-compatible with industry-standard 24-series EEPROMs and EERAMs. Package dimensions conform to JEDEC MS-001, with 0.3 inch body width and 0.1 inch lead pitch.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 47C04-I/P, 47L04-I/P shifts voltage operation to 3.3 V logic domains and increases VCAP requirement, while FM24CL04B replaces EEPROM backup with ferroelectric RAM - offering instant writes but sacrificing the deterministic power-loss response and hardware-triggered store capability unique to the 47C04-I/P.

Availability

47C04-I/P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLCs, smart meters, and automotive body control modules requiring stable component supply with guaranteed long-term availability and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for 47C04-I/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 microcontrollers, analog components, and memory solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with global design and manufacturing infrastructure.

The 47C04-I/P belongs to Microchip's EERAM product line, engineered specifically for applications needing seamless SRAM volatility with EEPROM-level nonvolatility - targeting industrial, automotive, and metering systems where power resilience is critical.

FAQ

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

The VCAP pin on the 47C04-I/P connects to an external 3.5–4.7 µF capacitor that supplies energy during VCC collapse, enabling automatic SRAM-to-EEPROM store before power drops below the 4.0–4.4 V trip threshold. Without VCAP, auto-store is disabled and the pin must be tied to VCC to prevent data corruption - this is explicitly required per DS20005371E-page 4, Note 3.

How does the 47C04-I/P differ from standard I²C EEPROMs like the 24LC04B?

The 47C04-I/P integrates SRAM and EEPROM in one die with automatic store/recall logic, whereas 24LC04B is pure EEPROM with no SRAM layer or power-loss handling. The 47C04-I/P supports zero-cycle-delay reads/writes to SRAM, offers infinite SRAM write cycles, and provides hardware/software-initiated store - making it suitable for high-frequency logging where EEPROM endurance would be exhausted.

Can the 47C04-I/P operate without connecting the A1 and A2 pins?

Yes - A1 and A2 pins have internal weak pull-downs to VSS per DS20005371E-page 3, Table 1-1, D7, so leaving them unconnected configures the device to base I²C address 0xA0 (for write) / 0xA1 (for read). This allows single-device operation without external resistors, simplifying layout in space-constrained designs using the 47C04-I/P.

What happens if a Store operation is initiated while the 47C04-I/P is performing an I²C read or write?

If Auto-Store, Hardware Store, or Software Store is triggered during an active I²C transaction, the current operation is immediately aborted to execute the Store - as stated in DS20005371E-page 11 and page 15. No data is corrupted, but the host must reissue the interrupted command after TSTORE (≤8 ms) completes. This behavior ensures data consistency at the cost of transaction atomicity.

Is the 47C04-I/P AEC-Q100 qualified, and what grade does it meet?

Yes - the 47C04-I/P is AEC-Q100 qualified for Automotive Grade 2 (-40°C to +105°C), though its official temperature rating is Industrial (I): -40°C to +85°C per Device Selection Table on DS20005371E-page 2. The qualification confirms robustness against thermal cycling, vibration, and ESD, making it suitable for under-hood and cabin electronics where the 47C04-I/P operates within spec.