Microchip Technology 93LC46CT-I/MNY

Overview

93LC46CT-I/MNY from Microchip Technology Inc. is a 1 Kbit (128 × 8-bit) low-voltage serial EEPROM with Microwire-compatible 3-wire interface, operating from 2.5 V to 5.5 V, rated for Industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C), and housed in an 8-lead MSOP package. It features self-timed erase/write cycles, automatic ERAL before WRAL, and Ready/Busy status signaling via DO pin - used for configuration storage in microcontroller-based embedded systems.

For engineers reviewing the 93LC46CT-I/MNY datasheet, 93LC46CT-I/MNY pinout, 93LC46CT-I/MNY application, or 93LC46CT-I/MNY equivalent, key selection considerations include its 8-bit fixed organization (no ORG pin), 2.5–5.5 V supply compatibility, 3 MHz max clock frequency at VCC ≥ 4.5 V, 6 ms typical write cycle time, and industrial-grade reliability with >200-year data retention and 1 million erase/write cycles.

Technical Context

The 93LC46CT-I/MNY implements a synchronous serial Microwire interface with CS, CLK, DI, and DO pins - no ORG pin (confirmed as 'A' variant). It uses CMOS EEPROM technology with on-chip charge pump for internal high-voltage generation during programming, enabling single-supply operation without external VPP.

Its command set includes READ (18 CLK cycles), WRITE (18 CLK cycles), ERASE (10 CLK cycles), ERAL (10 CLK cycles), and WRAL (18 CLK cycles), all initiated by CS falling edge (for 93LC versions). Status polling via DO pin provides non-blocking programming control, and power-on data protection prevents inadvertent writes during brown-out conditions.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 8-lead MSOP (MS), Pb-free Matte Tin finish, body dimensions 3.0 mm × 3.0 mm × 1.0 mm (JEDEC MO-187AA).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 93LC46B-I/MNY, the 93LC46CT-I/MNY offers native 8-bit data width for simpler firmware integration, while AT25010B-MAHL-T delivers faster throughput but increases pin count and protocol complexity - making 93LC46CT-I/MNY optimal for cost-sensitive, GPIO-constrained industrial designs requiring proven Microwire compatibility.

Availability

93LC46CT-I/MNY is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smart meter calibration storage, industrial PLC configuration memory, and medical device settings backup requiring stable component supply across multi-year production cycles.

Supply support for 93LC46CT-I/MNY 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 components, and memory solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with global design and manufacturing operations.

The 93LC46 series belongs to Microchip's legacy Microwire-compatible EEPROM product line, designed specifically for space- and power-constrained embedded systems requiring reliable, low-pin-count nonvolatile storage with minimal firmware overhead.

FAQ

What is the memory organization of the 93LC46CT-I/MNY?

The 93LC46CT-I/MNY is a fixed 128 × 8-bit (1 Kbit) EEPROM - it belongs to the 'A' variant family and has no ORG pin. Its memory is strictly organized as 128 words of 8 bits each, with no hardware-selectable 16-bit mode. This simplifies host interface logic and eliminates configuration dependency on external pin states, making it ideal for deterministic firmware implementations where byte-aligned access is standard.

Does the 93LC46CT-I/MNY require an external VPP voltage for programming?

No, the 93LC46CT-I/MNY does not require an external VPP voltage. It integrates an on-chip charge pump that generates the high voltage needed for EEPROM cell programming from the standard 2.5–5.5 V VCC supply. This enables true single-supply operation, eliminating the need for additional voltage rails or level-shifting circuitry - a key advantage in compact, low-cost embedded designs where board space and BOM count are critical.

How is Ready/Busy status monitored on the 93LC46CT-I/MNY?

Ready/Busy status on the 93LC46CT-I/MNY is monitored via the DO pin: after initiating an ERASE, WRITE, ERAL, or WRAL command, the host must bring CS high for ≥250 ns, then sample DO - low indicates ongoing operation, high confirms completion. The DO pin returns to High-Z when CS is low. This polling mechanism replaces fixed software delays, enabling tighter real-time scheduling and reducing average write latency in interrupt-driven systems using the 93LC46CT-I/MNY.

What is the maximum clock frequency supported by the 93LC46CT-I/MNY?

The 93LC46CT-I/MNY supports a maximum clock frequency of 3 MHz when VCC is 4.5 V to 5.5 V, 2 MHz at 2.5 V to 4.5 V, and 1 MHz at 1.8 V to 2.5 V - though the latter is not applicable since this part's VCC range starts at 2.5 V. At 3 MHz, the device achieves a theoretical maximum read throughput of ~167 KB/s (18 CLK cycles per 8-bit read), making it suitable for rapid configuration loading in boot-time-critical applications using the 93LC46CT-I/MNY.

Is the 93LC46CT-I/MNY RoHS compliant and lead-free?

Yes, the 93LC46CT-I/MNY is RoHS compliant and features a Pb-free Matte Tin (Sn) finish per JEDEC J-STD-609. All packages in the 93LC46 series - including the MSOP (MNY) variant - meet EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and are marked with the "3e" Pb-free identifier. The device is also qualified to JEDEC moisture sensitivity level MSL-1, supporting standard surface-mount assembly processes without baking requirements - essential for high-reliability manufacturing of products incorporating the 93LC46CT-I/MNY.