Microchip Technology 93AA86C-I/MS

Overview

93AA86C-I/MS from Microchip Technology is a 16 Kbit Microwire-compatible serial EEPROM with user-selectable 8-bit or 16-bit word organization via the ORG pin, 1.8–5.5 V supply range, industrial temperature rating (–40°C to +85°C), and Program Enable (PE) pin for hardware write protection. It delivers 1 million erase/write cycles and >200 years data retention in compact 8-lead MSOP packaging, used in embedded system configuration storage and calibration data logging.

For engineers reviewing the 93AA86C-I/MS datasheet, 93AA86C-I/MS pinout, 93AA86C-I/MS application, or 93AA86C-I/MS equivalent, key selection criteria include ORG-configurable memory width, PE-enabled hardware write lock, self-timed ERAL/WRAL operations, Ready/Busy status via DO pin, and compatibility with low-voltage microcontroller SPI-like interfaces.

Technical Context

The 93AA86C-I/MS implements a synchronous 3-wire Microwire interface (CS, CLK, DI/DO) with start-bit detection and opcode-driven command execution. Memory organization is dynamically selected: ORG = VSS enables 2048 × 8-bit mode; ORG = VCC enables 1024 × 16-bit mode - both supported within the same physical device.

Write operations require prior EWEN instruction and active-high PE signal; ERAL (Erase All) and WRAL (Write All) are fully self-timed with VCC ≥ 4.5 V minimum. Device status is monitored via DO pin polling during programming, with automatic High-Z release on CS falling edge.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

8-lead MSOP (3.0 mm × 3.0 mm, 0.65 mm pitch), Pb-free Matte Tin finish, RoHS compliant.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 93LC86C-I/MS, the 93AA86C-I/MS supports lower-voltage operation (1.8 V vs. 2.5 V), enabling direct use with ultra-low-power MCUs; versus AT25128B-MAHL-T, it offers deterministic hardware write disable and configurable word size - critical for resource-constrained or safety-critical designs.

Availability

93AA86C-I/MS is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial control systems, medical diagnostics equipment, and automotive body electronics requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and guaranteed RoHS-compliant sourcing.

Supply support for 93AA86C-I/MS 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 devices, and memory solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with global design and manufacturing operations.

The 93XX86 family was designed specifically for cost-sensitive, low-power embedded systems requiring reliable nonvolatile storage with minimal external components and flexible interface options - targeting applications from consumer remotes to industrial sensors.

FAQ

What voltage range does the 93AA86C-I/MS support, and why is this important for system design?

93AA86C-I/MS supports 1.8 V to 5.5 V operation. This wide range allows direct integration with diverse host processors - including 1.8 V ultra-low-power MCUs, 3.3 V ARM cores, and legacy 5 V logic - eliminating level-shifting circuitry. The 1.8 V minimum enables battery-powered operation down to single-cell Li-ion or two-cell alkaline, while 5.5 V tolerance accommodates automotive and industrial supply variations.

How does the ORG pin affect memory organization in the 93AA86C-I/MS?

In the 93AA86C-I/MS, the ORG pin selects between two memory configurations: when tied to VSS (0 V), it enables 2048 × 8-bit organization; when tied to VCC, it enables 1024 × 16-bit organization. This hardware-selectable mode allows one PCB layout and BOM to serve both 8-bit and 16-bit microcontroller platforms. The setting is sampled at command initiation and remains fixed until next power cycle or ORG change.

What is the role of the PE (Program Enable) pin on the 93AA86C-I/MS, and how should it be used in practice?

The PE pin on the 93AA86C-I/MS is a hardware write lock: only when PE = VCC can erase or write operations execute. During normal operation, PE should be tied to VSS to prevent accidental writes from noise, reset glitches, or firmware errors. For field updates, a dedicated service-mode circuit (e.g., jumper or supervisor output) temporarily asserts PE = VCC. This provides fail-safe protection independent of software state - a critical feature for safety-certified systems using the 93AA86C-I/MS.

Does the 93AA86C-I/MS require external pull-up resistors on its I/O lines, and if so, which ones?

The 93AA86C-I/MS does not require external pull-ups on CS, CLK, or DI - these inputs have internal weak pull-downs per datasheet Section 3.1–3.3. However, DO is open-drain during Ready/Busy status reporting and requires an external 4.7 kΩ pull-up to VCC for reliable high-level detection. Additionally, Microchip recommends a 10 kΩ pull-down on CS (Section 2.3 Note) to prevent spurious activation during power-up or floating states - a best practice for robust 93AA86C-I/MS integration.

How does the 93AA86C-I/MS indicate readiness after an erase or write operation?

The 93AA86C-I/MS uses the DO pin for Ready/Busy signaling: during active erase or write, DO outputs low (logic 0); upon completion, DO transitions high (logic 1). To sample this, CS must be brought high for ≥250 ns after the command completes (TCSL), then DO is read on subsequent CLK edges. After reading 'ready', issuing a Start bit followed by CS low clears the status latch. This mechanism eliminates need for fixed delay loops and adapts to actual process variation - a core timing behavior of the 93AA86C-I/MS.