Microchip Technology AT24C04-10PI

Overview

AT24C04-10PI from Microchip Technology (formerly Atmel) is a 4-kbit I²C-compatible serial EEPROM organized as 512 × 8 bits, operating from 2.7V to 5.5V, featuring 100 kHz clock speed at 2.7V, hardware write protection via WP pin, and industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C). It serves as nonvolatile configuration storage in embedded controllers, power management units, and sensor calibration modules.

For engineers reviewing the AT24C04-10PI datasheet, AT24C04-10PI pinout, AT24C04-10PI application, or AT24C04-10PI equivalent, key selection criteria include its 2.7V–5.5V supply compatibility, 16-byte page write capability, 1 million write cycles endurance, and JEDEC SOIC-8 packaging with industrial-grade thermal performance.

Technical Context

The AT24C04-10PI implements a two-wire I²C interface with Schmitt-triggered, noise-filtered SDA and SCL inputs, supporting standard-mode (100 kHz) operation at 2.7V. Its internal memory is partitioned into 32 pages of 16 bytes each, requiring a 9-bit data word address for random access.

Device addressing uses A2 and A1 pins for hardwired bus arbitration (A0 is NC), enabling up to four AT24C04-10PI devices on a single I²C bus. Write protection is controlled by the WP pin: grounded for full read/write access, tied to VCC to lock the entire 4K array.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AT24C04-10PI is supplied in an 8-lead JEDEC-standard SOIC package (8S1), 3.9mm × 4.9mm footprint, 1.75mm height, gull-wing leads, RoHS-compliant.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AT24C04-10PI, AT24C04-10PU offers identical functionality in a through-hole package for ease of evaluation, while M24C04-RMN6TP provides higher-speed operation at the cost of reduced write endurance - both require validation of WP pin behavior and I²C timing margins in target systems.

Availability

AT24C04-10PI is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial control systems, smart metering platforms, and automotive body electronics requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and multi-year production cycles.

Supply support for AT24C04-10PI 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 is a global semiconductor company specializing in microcontrollers, analog devices, and nonvolatile memory solutions, with broad industrial and automotive qualification coverage.

The AT24C04-10PI belongs to Microchip's legacy AT24Cxx serial EEPROM family, designed specifically for low-power, space-constrained embedded systems needing reliable, pin-efficient nonvolatile storage.

FAQ

What is the maximum I²C clock frequency supported by the AT24C04-10PI?

The AT24C04-10PI supports up to 100 kHz I²C clock frequency when operated at 2.7V. This is specified in the AC Characteristics table under fSCL for the 2.7V variant. The part does not support 400 kHz operation - that speed is only guaranteed for 5.0V versions (e.g., AT24C04-10PC), which the AT24C04-10PI is not rated for. Always reference the 2.7V column in the datasheet for timing compliance.

How many AT24C04-10PI devices can share the same I²C bus?

Up to four AT24C04-10PI devices can be addressed on a single I²C bus. This is enabled by the A2 and A1 pins, which form a 2-bit hardware address (00–11). The A0 pin is internally disconnected (NC) and must remain unconnected. Each device must have a unique A2/A1 combination to avoid address collisions during read/write operations.

Does the AT24C04-10PI support partial page writes?

Yes, the AT24C04-10PI supports partial page writes within its 16-byte pages. After initiating a page write sequence, the internal address counter increments automatically for each byte written. If fewer than 16 bytes are sent before the STOP condition, only those bytes are written - the remaining bytes in the page retain their prior values. This avoids unnecessary overwrites and simplifies small-data updates.

What happens when the WP pin of the AT24C04-10PI is tied to VCC?

When the WP pin of the AT24C04-10PI is tied to VCC, the entire 4K memory array is write-protected. All write attempts - including byte writes, page writes, and write commands - are ignored. Reads remain fully functional. This hardware lock prevents accidental or malicious firmware corruption and is commonly used during system deployment or field operation where configuration stability is critical.

Is the AT24C04-10PI compatible with 1.8V I²C systems?

No, the AT24C04-10PI is not compatible with 1.8V I²C systems. Its ordering code "-10PI" indicates the 2.7V–5.5V operating range (per the Options table: "-2.7" = Low-voltage 2.7V to 5.5V). For 1.8V operation, Microchip offers the AT24C04-10PI-1.8 variant, which has different AC/DC specifications and is explicitly rated for 1.8V–5.5V. Using AT24C04-10PI below 2.7V risks unreliable communication or failure to acknowledge.