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Microchip Technology 93LC46A-I/P
- Part No.:
- 93LC46A-I/P
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Category:
- Memory
- Package:
- 8-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)
- Datasheet:
-
93LC46A-I/P.pdf
- Description:
- IC EEPROM 1KBIT MICROWIRE 8DIP
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:459
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Product details
Overview
93LC46A-I/P from Microchip Technology Inc. is a 1Kbit (128 × 8-bit) low-voltage serial EEPROM with Microwire-compatible 3-wire interface, operating from 2.5V to 5.5V, rated for industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C), and packaged in 8-lead PDIP. It features self-timed erase/write cycles, automatic ERAL before WRAL, and Ready/Busy status via DO pin - used for configuration storage in microcontroller-based embedded systems.
For engineers reviewing the 93LC46A-I/P datasheet, 93LC46A-I/P pinout, 93LC46A-I/P application, or 93LC46A-I/P equivalent, key selection considerations include its fixed 8-bit organization (no ORG pin), 6 ms typical write cycle time, 1 million erase/write endurance, 200+ year data retention, and compatibility with legacy Microwire controllers requiring minimal GPIO overhead.
Technical Context
The 93LC46A-I/P implements a synchronous serial interface with CS, CLK, and DI/DO pins, using rising-edge clocking for instruction, address, and data transfer. Its internal architecture includes an address counter, mode decode logic, and output buffer, enabling sequential read and status polling without external timing control.
It operates exclusively in x8 mode (no ORG pin), supports full memory erase (ERAL) and write-all (WRAL) commands, and enforces power-on data protection by inhibiting all operations below VCC = 2.5V. Write enable/disable (EWEN/EWDS) provides hardware-level write protection independent of software state.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Memory size | 1 Kbit (128 × 8-bit); fixed x8 organization - no ORG pin required, simplifying PCB layout and firmware addressing. |
| VCC range | 2.5V to 5.5V; supports direct connection to 3.3V or 5V logic rails without level shifting. |
| Write cycle time | 6 ms typical (TWC); self-timed auto-erase-and-write eliminates need for external delay timers or busy-wait loops. |
| Endurance | 1,000,000 erase/write cycles; sufficient for frequent calibration or logging applications over product lifetime. |
| Data retention | Greater than 200 years at 25°C; ensures long-term reliability in unpowered storage scenarios. |
| Interface | Microwire-compatible 3-wire serial (CS, CLK, DI/DO); requires only three MCU GPIOs and no additional protocol stack. |
| Temperature grade | Industrial (–40°C to +85°C); validated for use in industrial controls, metering, and automotive body electronics. |
Pinout & Package
8-lead PDIP (Plastic Dual In-line Package), through-hole mounting, RoHS-compliant matte tin finish. Pin 1 identified by notch or dot marking.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (CS) | Chip Select | Active-high enable; device enters standby when low, but ongoing write completes before sleep - critical for robust power-loss recovery. |
| 2 (CLK) | Serial Clock | Rising-edge synchronized I/O; clock can be paused mid-transfer, enabling flexible MCU timing and low-power operation. |
| 3 (DI) | Data Input | Accepts Start bit, opcode, address, and write data; must be stable before first CLK rising edge after CS high. |
| 4 (DO) | Data Output / Status | Outputs read data or Ready/Busy (low = busy); high-Z when not active - allows shared bus with pull-up resistor. |
| 5 (VSS) | Ground | Reference return path for all signals; must be low-impedance to ensure noise immunity during write verification. |
| 6 (NC) | No Internal Connection | Unbonded pad; must be left floating - no routing or tie required, simplifying layout and avoiding unintended coupling. |
| 7 (NC) | No Internal Connection | Unbonded pad; identical to Pin 6 - no electrical function or thermal role. |
| 8 (VCC) | Power Supply | Supplies core logic and memory array; internal POR circuit triggers at ~1.5V - prevents partial writes during brown-out. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Self-timed erase/write cycles | Eliminates external timing components and firmware delays - reduces BOM count and improves system predictability. |
| Automatic ERAL before WRAL | Guarantees clean memory state prior to bulk write - prevents data corruption without requiring separate erase command in firmware. |
| Ready/Busy status on DO pin | Enables non-blocking polling instead of fixed delays - optimizes MCU utilization and real-time response in interrupt-driven systems. |
| Power-on/off data protection | Hardware-enforced lockout below VCC threshold - prevents inadvertent writes during power ramp-up or brown-out conditions. |
| Erase/write enable/disable (EWEN/EWDS) | Independent hardware write lock - allows safe default-disabled state at power-up and selective enable only during update windows. |
| 128 × 8-bit fixed organization | Removes ORG pin dependency and address-mode ambiguity - simplifies driver development and reduces test coverage scope. |
Applications
| Industrial Sensor Calibration | Consumer Appliance Configuration |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Storing factory-calibrated sensor offset/gain coefficients and user-adjusted trim values in HVAC controllers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Nonvolatile configuration register accessed infrequently during startup or service mode. Use Value: Enables field recalibration without firmware reflash; retains settings across 10+ years of power cycling. |
Use Scenario: Saving user preferences (e.g., cooking time, temperature, language) in microwave ovens and washing machines. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-pin-count parameter store interfaced directly to 8-bit MCU GPIOs. Use Value: Reduces MCU flash wear from frequent writes; supports >1M setting changes over product lifetime. |
| Automotive Body Control Module | Medical Diagnostic Equipment |
Use Scenario: Storing seat/mirror position memory and lighting profiles in 12V vehicle systems with wide input transients. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Robust serial NVM tolerant of load-dump and cold-crank conditions. Use Value: Operates down to 2.5V during cranking; withstands >4kV ESD per pin - meets ISO 10605 requirements. |
Use Scenario: Recording calibration constants and usage logs in portable ultrasound or glucose meters. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Tamper-resistant, long-retention memory for regulatory audit trails and device certification. Use Value: 200+ year retention satisfies FDA 21 CFR Part 11 data integrity requirements without battery backup. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar serial EEPROM applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93LC46B-I/P | 64 × 16-bit organization; same VCC range, package, and timing - requires firmware address/data width adaptation. | Used where 16-bit MCU peripherals or wider data paths reduce transaction count per access. | Select if system uses native 16-bit word transfers and benefits from fewer clock cycles per 16-bit read/write. |
| AT25010B-PU | SPI interface (4-wire), 1 Kbit (128 × 8), 1.8–5.5V, 5 ms max write time - different protocol and pinout. | Preferred in SPI-native designs; lacks Ready/Busy pin - relies on WIP flag polling via STATUS register. | Choose when migrating from legacy Microwire to SPI infrastructure or when leveraging existing SPI driver libraries. |
Compared with 93LC46B-I/P, the 93LC46A-I/P avoids 16-bit address mapping complexity and reduces firmware validation scope; compared with AT25010B-PU, it offers simpler 3-wire wiring and deterministic Ready/Busy signaling - advantageous in resource-constrained 8-bit MCUs.
Availability
93LC46A-I/P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, consumer appliance, and automotive body electronics requiring stable component supply, long-lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant through-hole packaging.
Supply support for 93LC46A-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 devices, and memory solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with global design and manufacturing operations.
The 93LC46A-I/P belongs to Microchip's legacy 93XX serial EEPROM family, designed specifically for cost-sensitive, low-pin-count embedded systems requiring reliable nonvolatile storage with minimal MCU resource usage.
FAQ
What is the memory organization of the 93LC46A-I/P?
The 93LC46A-I/P has a fixed 128 × 8-bit (1Kbit) organization with no ORG pin - unlike 'C' variants, it does not support x16 mode. This eliminates external configuration logic and simplifies firmware address handling, making it ideal for 8-bit microcontroller interfaces where byte-aligned access is standard.
Does the 93LC46A-I/P require an external pull-up resistor on the DO pin?
Yes, the 93LC46A-I/P DO pin is open-drain and requires an external pull-up resistor (typically 4.7 kΩ to VCC) to ensure valid logic-high levels during Read and Ready/Busy status reporting. Without it, DO remains undefined during high-Z states, risking communication errors in multi-drop or shared-bus configurations.
How does the 93LC46A-I/P handle power loss during a write operation?
The 93LC46A-I/P incorporates hardware power-loss protection: its internal POR circuit disables all write operations when VCC drops below ~1.5V. Combined with self-timed write cycles and automatic erase-before-write, this ensures no partial or corrupted data is committed - preserving memory integrity even during abrupt power interruption.
Can the 93LC46A-I/P be used with a 1.8V microcontroller?
No - the 93LC46A-I/P minimum VCC is 2.5V, so it is incompatible with 1.8V-only systems. For 1.8V operation, consider the 93AA46A-I/P (1.8–5.5V range), which shares identical pinout and instruction set but adds lower-voltage support and extended temperature capability.
Is the 93LC46A-I/P pin-compatible with other 93XX46 series devices in PDIP packages?
Yes - all 93XX46A/B/C variants in 8-lead PDIP (P suffix) share identical pinout: CS, CLK, DI, DO, VSS, NC, NC, VCC. However, functional compatibility depends on organization (x8 vs x16) and VCC range; the 93LC46A-I/P is electrically compatible with 93AA46A-I/P and 93C46A-I/P in PDIP, but not with 'B' or 'C' versions due to differing data width or ORG pin behavior.
93LC46A-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:
- Verified
- Memory Type:
- Non-Volatile
- Memory Format:
- EEPROM
- Technology:
- EEPROM
- Memory Size:
- 1Kbit
- Memory Organization:
- 128 x 8
- Memory Interface:
- Microwire
- Clock Frequency:
- 2 MHz
- Write Cycle Time - Word, Page:
- 6ms
- Access Time:
- -
- Voltage - Supply:
- 2.5V ~ 5.5V
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C (TA)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Supplier Device Package:
- 8-PDIP
93LC46A-I/P FAQ
1.How can I place an order for 93LC46A-I/P through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for 93LC46A-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 93LC46A-I/P reliable?
The price and inventory of 93LC46A-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 93LC46A-I/P is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for 93LC46A-I/P?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for 93LC46A-I/P transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for 93LC46A-I/P?
93LC46A-I/P orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your 93LC46A-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 93LC46A-I/P?
For technical support, including 93LC46A-I/P datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your 93LC46A-I/P requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that 93LC46A-I/P is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All 93LC46A-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 93LC46A-I/P meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of 93LC46A-I/P?
All 93LC46A-I/P units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with 93LC46A-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 93LC46A-I/P part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for 93LC46A-I/P:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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