Microchip Technology 47L16-I/W16K

Overview

47L16-I/W16K from Microchip Technology is a 16 Kbit (2,048 × 8) I²C serial EERAM combining volatile SRAM with nonvolatile EEPROM backup. It features automatic power-loss store/recall via VCAP capacitor, hardware Store pin (HS), and software-controlled Store/Recall commands. With 1 MHz I²C interface, Schmitt-trigger inputs, and industrial temperature range (−40°C to +85°C), it serves as a robust memory solution in battery-backed or transient-power systems such as smart meters and industrial controllers.

For engineers reviewing the 47L16-I/W16K datasheet, 47L16-I/W16K pinout, 47L16-I/W16K application, or 47L16-I/W16K equivalent, key selection criteria include SRAM-EEPROM dual-mode operation, Auto-Store trip voltage (2.4–2.6 V), 25 ms max Store time, software write protection granularity down to 1/64 of array, and compatibility with cascaded I²C bus configurations up to four devices.

Technical Context

The 47L16-I/W16K implements a dual-memory architecture where SRAM provides infinite read/write cycles while EEPROM retains data for >200 years with ≥1 million store cycles. Its I²C client logic supports standard 100 kHz/400 kHz/1 MHz clock rates, zero-cycle-delay reads/writes, and noise-immune Schmitt-trigger inputs on SDA/SCL/HS pins.

Power management is handled through VCAP-based auto-store detection: when VCC falls below VTRIP (2.4–2.6 V), SRAM contents are automatically transferred to EEPROM. The STATUS register (address 00h) controls ASE (Auto-Store Enable), BP<2:0> (block protection), and AM (Array Modified) flag-enabling deterministic store triggering only after SRAM modification.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

47L16-I/W16K is supplied in an 8-lead TSSOP package (W16K suffix denotes TSSOP), with lead pitch of 0.65 mm and body dimensions 4.4 mm × 3.0 mm. This RoHS-compliant surface-mount package supports automated assembly and offers thermal performance suitable for industrial ambient conditions.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 47L16-I/P and 47L16-I/SN, the 47L16-I/W16K delivers identical memory architecture and I²C behavior but in a space-optimized TSSOP package-reducing footprint by 42% versus SOIC and enabling denser industrial control PCB layouts.

Availability

47L16-I/W16K is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smart metering, industrial PLC data logging, and medical diagnostic equipment requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for 47L16-I/W16K 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 emphasis on reliability and long-term product availability for industrial and automotive markets.

The 47L16-I/W16K belongs to Microchip's EERAM family-designed specifically to replace battery-backed SRAM and discrete EEPROM+SRAM combinations in mission-critical embedded systems demanding seamless nonvolatility.

FAQ

What is the function of the VCAP pin on the 47L16-I/W16K?

The VCAP pin on the 47L16-I/W16K connects to an external capacitor (8–10 µF) that supplies energy during VCC collapse, enabling automatic SRAM-to-EEPROM store when VCC drops below 2.4–2.6 V. If no capacitor is used, VCAP must be tied to VCC and Auto-Store disabled (ASE = 0) to prevent EEPROM corruption. The 47L16-I/W16K relies on this pin for its core nonvolatile behavior without external power-fail circuitry.

How does the 47L16-I/W16K handle write protection of memory blocks?

The 47L16-I/W16K uses three nonvolatile BP<2:0> bits in its STATUS register (00h) to configure software write protection across eight ranges-from no protection to full 16 Kbit array lock. For example, BP<2:0> = 100 protects the upper 1/8 (0x700–0x7FF). Protected writes return NoACK, halting the transaction. This mechanism ensures critical calibration or security data in the 47L16-I/W16K remains immutable without hardware write-enable signals.

Can the 47L16-I/W16K operate on a 1 MHz I²C bus reliably?

Yes, the 47L16-I/W16K fully supports 1 MHz I²C operation per its AC specifications: minimum clock high/low times of 500 ns, rise/fall times ≤300 ns, and input filtering ≤50 ns. Its Schmitt-trigger inputs reject noise, and zero-cycle-delay reads/writes ensure deterministic timing. In practice, the 47L16-I/W16K sustains 1 MHz communication across industrial PCBs with ≤400 pF bus capacitance-matching typical MCU I²C peripheral capabilities.

What is the maximum number of 47L16-I/W16K devices that can share one I²C bus?

Up to four 47L16-I/W16K devices can be cascaded on a single I²C bus using unique combinations of A1 and A2 pins to set the two LSBs of their 7-bit slave address (base 0x50). Each device responds only to its assigned address (e.g., 0x50, 0x51, 0x52, 0x53), enabling scalable memory expansion without address conflicts. The 47L16-I/W16K's open-drain SDA/SCL and built-in arbitration support ensure robust multi-device operation.

Does the 47L16-I/W16K require external components for basic operation?

Yes-the 47L16-I/W16K requires an external VCAP capacitor (8–10 µF) for Auto-Store functionality and pull-up resistors on SDA/SCL (typically 2.2–10 kΩ) for I²C bus compliance. The HS pin may be left unconnected if manual store is unused. No external voltage regulators or level shifters are needed, as the 47L16-I/W16K operates natively from 2.7–3.6 V and integrates Schmitt-trigger inputs for noise immunity.