Microchip Technology 93AA86C-I/P

Overview

93AA86C-I/P 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, program enable (PE) write protection, and industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C). It operates from 1.8 V to 5.5 V, supports self-timed erase/write cycles, and delivers 1,000,000 endurance cycles with >200-year data retention - used in embedded system configuration storage and calibration data logging.

For engineers reviewing the 93AA86C-I/P datasheet, 93AA86C-I/P pinout, 93AA86C-I/P application, or 93AA86C-I/P equivalent, key selection considerations include ORG/PE pin functionality, 3-wire serial interface timing at 1.8 V, industrial-grade reliability, and compatibility with legacy Microwire controllers in space-constrained designs.

Technical Context

The 93AA86C-I/P implements a synchronous 3-wire Microwire interface (CS, CLK, DI/DO) with dedicated ORG and PE control pins. Its dual-organization architecture allows runtime switching between 2048 × 8-bit and 1024 × 16-bit memory maps based on ORG logic level, while PE must be held high for write operations.

It features hardware-based power-on/off data protection, automatic ERAL before WRAL, and Ready/Busy status polling via DO pin during erase/write. All programming commands (EWEN/EWDS, ERASE, WRITE, WRAL) are validated by clock-synchronized instruction sequences with defined minimum CS low time (250 ns) and status-valid timing (200–500 ns).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

8-lead PDIP package (P suffix), body size 0.300" × 0.400", through-hole mounting. Pin 1 marked by notch or dot; pin 1 ID confirmed per DS21797L-page 18.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 93LC86C-I/P, the 93AA86C-I/P enables true 1.8 V operation and broader voltage margin; compared with 93AA86C-I/SN, the -I/P variant provides through-hole mounting for prototyping, repair, or high-vibration environments where solder joint reliability is critical.

Availability

93AA86C-I/P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration, medical device configuration, and automotive body control modules requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for 93AA86C-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 microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog, and Flash-IP solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona.

The 93AA86C belongs to Microchip's legacy 93XX serial EEPROM family, designed specifically for cost-sensitive, low-power, nonvolatile memory applications in industrial, medical, and automotive systems where Microwire interface compatibility and hardware write protection are essential.

FAQ

What is the function of the ORG pin on the 93AA86C-I/P?

The ORG pin on the 93AA86C-I/P selects memory organization: tied to VCC it configures the device as 1024 × 16-bit; tied to VSS it configures as 2048 × 8-bit. This pin is not present on 'A' or 'B' variants and must be hardwired - floating is prohibited. The 93AA86C-I/P uses this pin to eliminate the need for separate part numbers for different word widths, enabling flexible design reuse.

How does the PE pin protect memory on the 93AA86C-I/P?

The PE (Program Enable) pin on the 93AA86C-I/P must be driven high to allow any erase or write operation; pulling it low disables all programming functions permanently until PE is reasserted. Unlike software locks, this is a hardware-level safeguard that remains active during power cycling and brown-out events. The 93AA86C-I/P relies on PE for robust field-programmable protection in safety-critical applications.

What is the minimum VCC required for reliable operation of the 93AA86C-I/P?

The 93AA86C-I/P requires VCC ≥ 1.8 V for full specification compliance, with internal power-on reset (POR) activating at approximately 1.5 V to inhibit all operations below that threshold. This ensures no partial writes occur during power ramp-up or brown-out. The 93AA86C-I/P is rated for 1.8–5.5 V operation, making it compatible with modern ultra-low-voltage MCUs while maintaining backward compatibility with 5 V systems.

Can the 93AA86C-I/P be used with standard SPI interfaces?

The 93AA86C-I/P implements a Microwire-compatible 3-wire interface (CS, CLK, DI/DO), not standard SPI. While electrically similar, it lacks SPI's bidirectional MISO/MOSI separation and requires specific instruction opcodes (e.g., 01b for WRITE, 10b for READ). Bit-banging or dedicated Microwire peripherals are required; direct SPI master connection without protocol translation will fail. The 93AA86C-I/P does not support SPI mode bits or CPOL/CPHA configurations.

What packaging options are available for the 93AA86C-I/P?

93AA86C-I/P specifically denotes the 8-lead PDIP (Plastic Dual In-line Package) with industrial temperature rating (–40°C to +85°C). Other package variants exist (e.g., SOIC-SN, TSSOP-ST, MSOP-MS, DFN-MC), but only the -I/P suffix identifies the through-hole PDIP version. The PDIP package enables manual soldering, socket-based testing, and mechanical robustness in high-vibration environments - distinct from surface-mount alternatives like 93AA86C-I/SN.