Microchip Technology 93LC76C-I/ST

Overview

93LC76C-I/ST from Microchip Technology Inc. is an 8 Kbit, low-voltage, serial Microwire-compatible 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 2.5V to 5.5V, supports self-timed erase/write cycles, and delivers 1 million endurance cycles with >200 years data retention - used in embedded system configuration storage and sensor calibration memory.

For engineers reviewing the 93LC76C-I/ST datasheet, 93LC76C-I/ST pinout, 93LC76C-I/ST application, or 93LC76C-I/ST equivalent, key selection criteria include VCC operating range (2.5–5.5 V), ORG/PE pin dependency for memory configuration and write-enable control, Ready/Busy status via DO pin, and compatibility with Microwire serial interface timing at up to 3 MHz.

Technical Context

The 93LC76C-I/ST implements a synchronous 3-wire Microwire interface (CS, CLK, DI/DO) with dedicated ORG and PE pins enabling dynamic word-size selection (x8/x16) and hardware-level write protection. Its internal logic requires EWEN instruction before any erase/write operation and supports sequential read, ERAL (Erase All), and WRAL (Write All) commands with automatic pre-erase.

Timing behavior is voltage-dependent: maximum clock frequency is 3 MHz at VCC ≥ 4.5 V, 2 MHz at 2.5 V ≤ VCC < 4.5 V, and program cycle time (TWC) is 5 ms for erase/write operations. Ready/Busy status is actively signaled on DO during programming when CS is reasserted after ≥250 ns low time (TCSL).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

93LC76C-I/ST is packaged in an 8-lead TSSOP (ST) with exposed pad option, Pb-free Matte Tin finish, and standard pinout compatible with SOIC and PDIP footprints. Pin 1 is marked by laser dot; package dimensions conform to Microchip's 8-lead TSSOP specification (3.0 mm × 4.4 mm body, 0.65 mm pitch).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 93LC76B-I/ST, the 93LC76C-I/ST adds configurable word size and hardware write-enable control; compared with AT25080B-SSHL-T, it offers simpler 3-wire timing and integrated status signaling but lower maximum speed and no SPI compatibility.

Availability

93LC76C-I/ST is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration, embedded configuration storage, and automotive body control module applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for 93LC76C-I/ST 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 93LC76C-I/ST belongs to Microchip's legacy 93XX serial EEPROM product line, designed specifically for cost-sensitive, low-power, nonvolatile memory applications in space-constrained embedded systems requiring simple 3-wire control.

FAQ

What is the function of the ORG pin on the 93LC76C-I/ST?

The ORG pin on the 93LC76C-I/ST selects memory word size: logic high configures the 8 Kbit array as 512 × 16-bit, and logic low configures it as 1024 × 8-bit. This pin must be statically tied to VCC or VSS before device operation - floating is not permitted. The 93LC76C-I/ST is the only variant in the 93LC76 family with this pin; A/B versions lack ORG and are fixed-organization devices.

How does the PE pin protect memory on the 93LC76C-I/ST?

The PE (Program Enable) pin on the 93LC76C-I/ST provides hardware-level write protection: when PE is held low, all erase and write operations are inhibited regardless of command sequence or EWEN state. When PE is high, normal programming is allowed after issuing EWEN. This prevents unintended writes during power-up/down or firmware errors - a feature absent in 93LC76A/B variants.

What is the maximum clock frequency supported by the 93LC76C-I/ST at 3.3 V VCC?

At VCC = 3.3 V, the 93LC76C-I/ST supports a maximum clock frequency of 2 MHz, as specified in Table 1-2 (A1 parameter) for the 2.5 V ≤ VCC < 4.5 V range. Exceeding this frequency may cause command misreads or incomplete write cycles. The device automatically adjusts timing margins based on VCC level - no external configuration is required.

Does the 93LC76C-I/ST require an external pull-up resistor on the DO pin?

No, the 93LC76C-I/ST does not require an external pull-up on DO. The DO pin actively drives high/low during read or Ready/Busy status reporting and enters High-Z when not in use (e.g., during write cycles or when CS is low). However, if DI and DO are shorted for 2-wire bus implementation, a series resistor (e.g., 10 kΩ) is recommended to prevent bus conflict during the dummy zero phase of read operations.

What happens if the 93LC76C-I/ST loses VCC during a write operation?

If VCC drops below the power-on reset threshold (~1.5 V) during a write operation, the 93LC76C-I/ST aborts the cycle and retains the pre-write data state - no partial or corrupted writes occur. Internal power-on/off data protection circuitry ensures memory integrity across brownout events. The device resumes normal operation once VCC stabilizes above 2.5 V, and the next command must begin with EWEN if programming is intended.