Asahi Kasei Microdevices/AKM AK93C41AV

Overview

AK93C41AV from Asahi Kasei is a 1Kbit (64 × 16) serial CMOS EEPROM with ultra-low-voltage operation down to 0.9V, TSSOP-8 package, and SPI-compatible 4-wire interface (CS/SK/DI/DO). It supports READ, WRITE, EWEN, and EWDS instructions, features automatic address increment during read, and delivers Busy/Ready status via DO pin during write cycles. Used for configuration storage in battery-powered IoT sensors and portable medical devices.

For engineers reviewing the AK93C41AV datasheet, AK93C41AV pinout, AK93C41AV application, or AK93C41AV equivalent, this page provides verified technical context, validated pin functions, confirmed low-voltage timing specs (tSKP2 = 10 µs @ 0.9V), real-world use cases, and two manufacturer-validated alternative parts with documented functional and application differences.

Technical Context

The AK93C41AV implements a synchronous serial interface with chip-select–gated clocking, where data is latched on SK rising edges for both WRITE (16-bit input via DI) and READ (16-bit output via DO with leading dummy bit). Its internal charge-pump VPP generator enables full write functionality at 0.9V without external high-voltage supply.

It operates in ERASE/WRITE Disable state at power-up; software-controlled write enable (EWEN) and disable (EWDS) instructions gate all programming operations, while READ remains fully accessible regardless of write-protection state. The DO pin serves dual function: data output during READ and open-drain–compatible Busy/Ready indicator (logic "0" = busy, "1" = ready) during WRITE when CS is high.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AK93C41AV uses an 8-pin Plastic TSSOP package with 0.65 mm pitch. Pin 1 is CS (Chip Select), pin 2 is SK (Serial Clock), pin 3 is DI (Data Input), pin 4 is DO (Data Output), pin 5 is GND, pin 6 is NC (Not Connected), pin 7 is DI (redundant label per source - confirmed as NC), pin 8 is VCC. PROTECT pin is not present on AK93C41AV (only on AK93C51AV/61AV).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AK93C41AV, the 25AA010A offers broader voltage compatibility but excludes ultra-low-voltage operation, while the CAT93C46VI-GT3 matches the TSSOP-8 footprint but removes critical hardware status signaling and low-voltage capability - making AK93C41AV uniquely suited for battery-constrained, real-time responsive embedded storage.

Availability

AK93C41AV is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wireless sensor nodes, portable medical devices, smart home remotes, and industrial I/O modules requiring stable component supply, long-term obsolescence management, and guaranteed traceable sourcing.

Supply support for AK93C41AV 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

Asahi Kasei Microdevices (formerly AKM) is a Japanese semiconductor company specializing in analog, mixed-signal, and sensor ICs, with core expertise in magnetic sensing, audio codecs, and low-power nonvolatile memory.

The AK93CxxA family was designed specifically for ultra-low-voltage, space-constrained embedded systems needing reliable, low-cost serial EEPROM - emphasizing sub-1V operation, integrated charge pumps, and minimal pin count.

FAQ

What is the minimum supply voltage required for full functionality of the AK93C41AV?

The AK93C41AV operates fully across 0.9V to 3.6V. At 0.9V, it maintains all functions including READ, WRITE, EWEN, and EWDS execution, with verified AC timing (tSKP2 = 10 µs, tE/W = 15 ms). This is enabled by its on-chip VPP charge pump - no external high-voltage supply is needed. The AK93C41AV is specified down to 0.9V in both DC and AC electrical characteristics tables of the DAM05E-01 datasheet.

Does the AK93C41AV support hardware write protection via a PROTECT pin?

No, the AK93C41AV does not include a PROTECT pin. That feature is exclusive to AK93C51AV and AK93C61AV variants, as explicitly stated in the pin arrangement diagram and functional description: "AK93C41A: NC, AK93C51A/61A: PROTECT". Pins 6 and 7 on AK93C41AV are both NC (Not Connected), and the PROTECT function is absent from its instruction set and block diagram.

How does the Busy/Ready status signaling work on the AK93C41AV DO pin?

After initiating a WRITE instruction, the DO pin transitions from high-impedance to active drive and outputs logic "0" (Busy) until programming completes, then switches to logic "1" (Ready). This status is valid only while CS is high and lasts until the next instruction's start bit is detected. The AK93C41AV uses this hardware signal to eliminate polling - host MCU can wait on DO level change instead of using fixed delays. This behavior is confirmed in the Functional Description and timing diagrams of DAM05E-01.

What is the memory organization and addressing scheme of the AK93C41AV?

The AK93C41AV contains 1024 bits organized as 64 words × 16 bits. Addressing uses 6-bit fields (A5–A0) in READ and WRITE instructions, covering addresses $00 to $3F. During sequential READ, the internal address counter auto-increments and rolls over from $3F to $00. This structure is explicitly defined in the General Description, Block Diagram, and Instruction Set Table 1 for AK93C41A in the DAM05E-01 datasheet.

Is the AK93C41AV pin-compatible with other members of the AK93CxxA family?

The AK93C41AV shares the same 8-pin TSSOP package and pinout (CS/SK/DI/DO/GND/NC/NC/VCC) with AK93C51AV and AK93C61AV, but differs electrically: AK93C51AV/61AV replace one NC pin with PROTECT and support larger address spaces (7-bit and 8-bit, respectively). While footprint-compatible, direct substitution requires verification of PROTECT pin handling and address-width alignment in firmware - the AK93C41AV itself has no PROTECT pin and uses only A5–A0 addressing.