Microchip Technology 93LC76T-I/SN

Overview

93LC76T-I/SN from Microchip Technology Inc. is an 8K-bit Microwire-compatible serial EEPROM with configurable x8/x16 organization via ORG pin, 2.5–6.0V single-supply operation, and industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C). It delivers 1 mA typical active current, 5 µA standby current at 3.0V, and supports self-timed erase/write cycles with device status signaling via DO pin - used in embedded system configuration storage and calibration data retention.

For engineers reviewing the 93LC76T-I/SN datasheet, 93LC76T-I/SN pinout, 93LC76T-I/SN application, or 93LC76T-I/SN equivalent, key selection criteria include Microwire interface compatibility, ORG-selectable memory width, industrial-grade reliability (1M erase/write cycles, >200-year data retention), and SOIC-8 package suitability for space-constrained PCB layouts.

Technical Context

The 93LC76T-I/SN implements a synchronous 3-wire Microwire interface (CS/CLK/DI/DO) with start-bit detection and opcode-driven command execution. Memory organization (1024 × 8 or 512 × 16) is determined by ORG pin voltage level, and all programming operations require prior EWEN instruction followed by automatic ERAL before WRAL.

It features power-on/off data protection circuitry that inhibits programming below 1.4V VCC, integrated PE pin for hardware write-enable control, and Ready/Busy status reporting via DO pin during erase/write cycles - enabling polling-based firmware synchronization without external timing dependencies.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

8-pin SOIC package (150 mil body width), surface-mount compatible, RoHS-compliant lead finish. Pin 1 marked with notch or dot; pin numbering follows standard SOIC convention (counterclockwise from top-left corner).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 93LC76T-I/SN, the 93LC76C-I/SN offers identical functionality with improved manufacturability and ESD resilience, while the AT25080B-MAU-10 trades Microwire compatibility for higher-speed SPI access - making the former a direct upgrade path and the latter a platform-level architectural change.

Availability

93LC76T-I/SN is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration storage, embedded system configuration memory, and automotive body control module applications requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for 93LC76T-I/SN 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 U.S.-based semiconductor company specializing in microcontrollers, analog devices, and memory solutions for embedded control applications.

The 93LC76T-I/SN belongs to Microchip's legacy Microwire EEPROM product line, designed specifically for cost-sensitive, low-power, and pin-constrained systems requiring simple serial nonvolatile storage with industrial temperature tolerance.

FAQ

What is the memory organization of the 93LC76T-I/SN and how is it selected?

The 93LC76T-I/SN supports two memory organizations: 1024 × 8 bits (x8) or 512 × 16 bits (x16). Selection is controlled by the ORG pin - tied to VSS for x8 mode, VCC for x16 mode. An internal pull-up resistor defaults the device to x16 if ORG is left unconnected. This configuration is static and must be set before power-up or during reset; it cannot be changed dynamically during operation. The 93LC76T-I/SN datasheet confirms this behavior in Section 2.0 and Table 4-1.

Does the 93LC76T-I/SN require external components for basic operation?

Yes - the 93LC76T-I/SN requires a 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling capacitor between VCC and VSS, placed as close as possible to pins 7 and 5. No pull-up resistors are required on CS, CLK, or DI due to internal design, but DO should be externally pulled up (typically 4.7 kΩ to VCC) when used in open-drain configurations or shared bus setups. The 93LC76T-I/SN does not integrate a charge pump capacitor; all programming energy is derived from VCC.

How does the Program Enable (PE) pin function on the 93LC76T-I/SN?

The PE pin on the 93LC76T-I/SN provides hardware-level write protection: tying PE to VSS disables all erase and write operations permanently until VCC is cycled, while leaving it floating or connecting to VCC enables programming. An internal pull-up ensures programming is enabled by default if PE is unconnected. This feature operates independently of the EWEN/EWDS software commands and adds a physical layer of data integrity assurance - critical for safety-critical or tamper-resistant applications using the 93LC76T-I/SN.

What is the maximum clock frequency supported by the 93LC76T-I/SN at different supply voltages?

The 93LC76T-I/SN supports up to 3 MHz clock frequency when VCC is 4.5 V to 6.0 V, and up to 2 MHz when VCC is 2.5 V to less than 4.5 V. These limits are specified in Table 1-2 (AC Characteristics) of the DS21131F datasheet and reflect guaranteed timing margins across the full industrial temperature range. Exceeding these frequencies may result in unreliable opcode recognition or data corruption during WRITE/READ cycles - the 93LC76T-I/SN does not support dynamic frequency scaling.

Is the 93LC76T-I/SN compatible with modern microcontrollers lacking native Microwire peripherals?

Yes - the 93LC76T-I/SN can be interfaced with any microcontroller using GPIO bit-banging, as its Microwire protocol uses deterministic timing and start-bit detection. Host firmware must generate precise CS/CLK waveforms and sample DO on the correct clock edge per Section 3.0 of the datasheet. While SPI-only MCUs require protocol translation (e.g., mapping Microwire opcodes to SPI byte sequences), the 93LC76T-I/SN's simple 3-wire interface makes it more straightforward to implement than I²C EEPROMs in resource-constrained systems.