Microchip Technology 93AA56A-I/P
- Part No.:
- 93AA56A-I/P
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Category:
- Memory
- Package:
- 8-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)
- Datasheet:
-
93AA56A-I/P.pdf
- Description:
- IC EEPROM 2KBIT MICROWIRE 8DIP
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:258
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Product details
Overview
93AA56A-I/P from Microchip Technology Inc. is a 2 Kbit (256 × 8-bit) low-voltage serial EEPROM with Microwire-compatible 3-wire interface, 1.8–5.5 V supply range, and industrial temperature rating (–40°C to +85°C). It features self-timed erase/write cycles, automatic ERAL before WRAL, and power-on/off data protection - deployed in embedded microcontroller systems for calibration storage and configuration retention.
For engineers reviewing the 93AA56A-I/P datasheet, 93AA56A-I/P pinout, 93AA56A-I/P application, or 93AA56A-I/P equivalent, key selection criteria include its dedicated 8-bit organization (no ORG pin), 1 million erase/write endurance, 200-year data retention, and compatibility with legacy Microwire host controllers requiring minimal I/O resource allocation.
Technical Context
The 93AA56A-I/P implements a synchronous serial interface using CS, CLK, and DI/DO signals with start-bit detection and opcode-driven command execution. Its internal architecture includes an address decoder, data register, and output buffer, supporting READ, WRITE, ERASE, ERAL, WRAL, EWEN, and EWDS instructions - all executed via rising-edge clocked bit streams.
It operates exclusively in x8 mode (no ORG pin), uses a 12-clock-cycle instruction frame for READ (20 clocks total including dummy zero), and relies on DO pin polling for Ready/Busy status during self-timed programming cycles lasting up to 6 ms. Power-up default is EWDS mode, requiring explicit EWEN before any write operation.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Memory Size | 2 Kbit (256 words × 8 bits) - fixed x8 organization, no word-size reconfiguration required. |
| Supply Voltage | 1.8 V to 5.5 V - supports single-supply operation across battery-powered and 3.3 V/5 V logic systems. |
| Endurance | 1,000,000 erase/write cycles - enables long-term field calibration updates without wear-out concerns. |
| Data Retention | 200 years at 25°C - ensures nonvolatile storage integrity over full product lifecycle without refresh. |
| Interface | Microwire-compatible 3-wire serial (CS/CLK/DI/DO) - interoperable with legacy microcontrollers lacking SPI hardware. |
| Write Cycle Time | 6 ms max (TWC) - deterministic self-timed programming allows precise timing budgeting in real-time firmware. |
| Temperature Range | –40°C to +85°C (Industrial grade) - qualified for use in industrial control, metering, and automotive body electronics. |
Pinout & Package
8-lead PDIP package (P suffix), lead-free Matte Tin finish, through-hole mounting. Pin 1 marked by notch or dot; pin 1 ID confirmed per Microchip DS21794G-page 17.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 CS | Chip Select | Active-high enable; must be held ≥250 ns low between instructions; initiates self-timed write on falling edge. |
| 2 CLK | Serial Clock | Rising-edge synchronized I/O; clock stops freely during transmission; no clock required during write cycle. |
| 3 DI | Data Input | Accepts start bit, opcodes, addresses, and write data; shares bus with DO only with external current-limiting resistor. |
| 4 DO | Data Output / Status | Outputs read data or Ready/Busy (low = busy); enters High-Z on CS falling edge; requires TCSL ≥250 ns before status check. |
| 5 VSS | Ground | Reference for all I/O and internal circuitry; must be connected before VCC during power-up sequencing. |
| 6 NC | No Internal Connection | Unbonded pad; must be left floating or tied to VSS per layout best practice - not used for ORG function. |
| 7 NC | No Internal Connection | Unbonded pad; electrically isolated - no routing or connection required. |
| 8 VCC | Power Supply | 1.8–5.5 V input; internal POR triggers at ~1.5 V; voltage detect ensures data protection below threshold. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Self-timed Erase/Write | Eliminates need for external timing control or firmware delay loops - reduces CPU overhead and improves system predictability. |
| Automatic ERAL before WRAL | Guarantees full-array erase prior to bulk write, preventing stale data corruption without software intervention. |
| Power-On/Off Data Protection | Hardware-enforced write inhibition below 1.5 V VCC prevents accidental writes during brown-out or power ramp conditions. |
| Ready/Busy Status via DO | Enables efficient polling-based firmware flow without dedicated status pins or interrupt lines - saves GPIO resources. |
| Sequential Read Mode | Allows continuous address increment and data streaming while CS remains high - optimizes burst read throughput. |
Applications
| Smart Energy Meters | Industrial PLC I/O Modules |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Storing tariff tables, meter calibration coefficients, and tamper-event logs across decades of field deployment. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Nonvolatile configuration memory interfaced to 8-bit MCU via Microwire; accessed infrequently but with absolute data integrity requirements. Use Value: 200-year data retention and 1M-cycle endurance ensure compliance with IEC 62056 and ANSI C12.22 standards without periodic replacement. | Use Scenario: Holding I/O mapping definitions, sensor scaling factors, and firmware update flags in modular automation controllers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Serial configuration store for ARM Cortex-M3/M4-based PLC CPUs; accessed during boot and runtime parameter adjustment. Use Value: 1.8–5.5 V wide VCC range enables direct connection to 3.3 V or 5 V backplane rails without level-shifting components. |
| Automotive Body Control Units | Medical Diagnostic Equipment |
Use Scenario: Saving seat/mirror position presets, lighting profiles, and fault code history in BCMs operating across –40°C to +85°C ambient. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Industrial-grade EEPROM co-located with MCU on BCM PCB; communicates over dedicated Microwire bus. Use Value: Industrial temp rating and Pb-free RoHS compliance meet AEC-Q100 stress test prerequisites for non-safety-critical modules. | Use Scenario: Archiving device serial numbers, calibration timestamps, and user-defined test protocols in portable ultrasound and ECG analyzers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Trusted configuration vault for FDA-regulated Class II devices; accessed only during manufacturing setup and service calibration. Use Value: Hardware write-protection (EWDS default) and power-loss immunity prevent unauthorized or corrupted configuration changes in clinical environments. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar serial EEPROM applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93LC56A-I/P | VCC range 2.5–5.5 V; identical 256 × 8-bit organization, pinout, and instruction set. | Not rated for operation below 2.5 V - unsuitable for 1.8 V battery-backed systems. | Select when system VCC is guaranteed ≥2.5 V and higher noise immunity at VCC > 2.5 V is preferred. |
| AT25020B-MAHL-T | SPI interface (4-wire), 2 Kbit (256 × 8), 1.8–5.5 V, 20 MHz max clock; no ERAL/WRAL commands. | Lacks auto-ERAL-before-WRAL and Microwire compatibility - requires SPI-capable host and modified firmware. | Choose for higher-speed communication where SPI infrastructure exists and bulk-write atomicity is managed in software. |
Compared with 93LC56A-I/P, the 93AA56A-I/P extends low-voltage operation to 1.8 V for battery longevity; compared with AT25020B-MAHL-T, it retains Microwire compatibility and hardware-assisted WRAL atomicity - critical for resource-constrained 8-bit MCU platforms.
Availability
93AA56A-I/P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smart energy meters, industrial PLC I/O modules, and automotive body control units requiring stable component supply, long-lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant through-hole packaging.
Supply support for 93AA56A-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, FPGA, and memory solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona.
The 93XX series EEPROMs were designed specifically for cost-sensitive, low-power embedded systems requiring reliable nonvolatile storage with minimal pin count and legacy interface support - especially where Microwire compatibility is mandated.
FAQ
What is the memory organization of the 93AA56A-I/P?
The 93AA56A-I/P has a fixed 256 × 8-bit (2 Kbit) organization with no ORG pin. Unlike 'C' variants, it does not support x16 mode and requires no external logic for word-size selection. This simplifies PCB layout and firmware design for 8-bit data paths, making it ideal for legacy microcontrollers with narrow data buses.
Does the 93AA56A-I/P require an external pull-up resistor on the DO pin?
No - the 93AA56A-I/P does not require an external pull-up on DO. The DO pin actively drives high/low during READ and Ready/Busy status reporting, and enters High-Z when CS is low or during idle states. Pull-ups may interfere with proper status polling and are unnecessary per Microchip DS21794G electrical specifications.
How is write protection implemented on the 93AA56A-I/P?
The 93AA56A-I/P powers up in Erase/Write Disable (EWDS) mode. An explicit EWEN instruction must precede any ERASE or WRITE command. After programming, issuing EWDS restores protection. This two-step hardware-enforced mechanism prevents accidental writes during power transients or firmware errors - a critical feature for field-deployed equipment.
What is the maximum clock frequency supported by the 93AA56A-I/P at 1.8 V?
At VCC = 1.8 V, the 93AA56A-I/P supports a maximum clock frequency of 1 MHz, as specified in Table 1-2 (A1 parameter). This is enforced by minimum TCKH (450 ns) and TCKL (450 ns) timing requirements. Operating above this frequency risks setup/hold violations and command misinterpretation, especially under worst-case temperature and voltage conditions.
Can the 93AA56A-I/P be used in place of the 93C56A-I/P?
No - the 93AA56A-I/P is not a drop-in replacement for the 93C56A-I/P. While both are 256 × 8-bit EEPROMs, the 93C56A requires VCC ≥4.5 V and uses different timing (2 ms write cycle, rising-edge write initiation), whereas the 93AA56A operates from 1.8 V and uses falling-edge write initiation. Firmware and power rail design must be verified for compatibility.
93AA56A-I/P Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 8-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)
- Packaging:
- Tube
- Product Status:
- Active
- Programmable:
- Not Verified
- Memory Type:
- Non-Volatile
- Memory Format:
- EEPROM
- Technology:
- EEPROM
- Memory Size:
- 2Kbit
- Memory Organization:
- 256 x 8
- Memory Interface:
- Microwire
- Clock Frequency:
- 2 MHz
- Write Cycle Time - Word, Page:
- 6ms
- Access Time:
- -
- Voltage - Supply:
- 1.8V ~ 5.5V
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C (TA)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Supplier Device Package:
- 8-PDIP
93AA56A-I/P FAQ
1.How can I place an order for 93AA56A-I/P through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for 93AA56A-I/P 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 93AA56A-I/P reliable?
The price and inventory of 93AA56A-I/P are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for 93AA56A-I/P is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for 93AA56A-I/P?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for 93AA56A-I/P transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for 93AA56A-I/P?
93AA56A-I/P orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your 93AA56A-I/P 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 93AA56A-I/P?
For technical support, including 93AA56A-I/P datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your 93AA56A-I/P requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that 93AA56A-I/P is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All 93AA56A-I/P 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 93AA56A-I/P meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of 93AA56A-I/P?
All 93AA56A-I/P units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with 93AA56A-I/P, 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 93AA56A-I/P part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for 93AA56A-I/P:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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