Microchip Technology AT24C04N-10SI

Overview

AT24C04N-10SI 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, with 100 kHz maximum clock frequency at 2.7V, 16-byte page write capability, 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 AT24C04N-10SI datasheet, AT24C04N-10SI pinout, AT24C04N-10SI application, or AT24C04N-10SI equivalent, key selection criteria include its 2.7V–5.5V supply compatibility, industrial-grade temperature rating, JEDEC SOIC-8 package, hardware write protection via WP pin, and 1-million-cycle endurance for infrequent but reliable data logging.

Technical Context

The AT24C04N-10SI 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 address space uses 9-bit word addressing and supports both byte and 16-byte page writes with automatic address increment within pages.

Device addressing relies on A2 and A1 pins (A0 is NC), enabling up to four AT24C04N-10SI devices on a single I²C bus. The WP pin provides hardware-level write protection: tied to VCC, it locks the full 4K array; tied to GND, full read/write access is enabled.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AT24C04N-10SI is housed in an 8-lead JEDEC-standard SOIC package (8S1), 0.150" wide, with gull-wing leads and 1.27 mm pitch. Pin 1 is marked by a beveled corner or dot.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AT24C04N-10SI, AT24C04D-SSHM-T offers smaller packaging and lower ISB but requires layout change, while M24C04-RMN6TP delivers higher speed at 5V but forfeits guaranteed 2.7V compatibility - making AT24C04N-10SI the optimal choice for mixed-voltage industrial designs needing proven SOIC-8 reliability.

Availability

AT24C04N-10SI is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, medical device configuration, and IoT edge node applications requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for AT24C04N-10SI 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 acquired Atmel in 2016 and maintains full technical and manufacturing continuity for the AT24C series. The company specializes in microcontrollers, analog, and memory solutions for industrial, automotive, and communications markets.

The AT24C04N-10SI belongs to Microchip's legacy serial EEPROM product line, designed specifically for low-power, space-constrained embedded systems requiring robust, long-life nonvolatile storage with simple two-wire interface integration.

FAQ

What voltage range does the AT24C04N-10SI support, and how does it affect I²C timing?

The AT24C04N-10SI supports 2.7V to 5.5V operation. At 2.7V, its maximum I²C clock frequency is 100 kHz with guaranteed timing margins; at 5.0V, it supports up to 400 kHz. This dual-speed capability allows designers to maintain robust communication in low-voltage brown-out conditions while achieving higher throughput in nominal 5V systems - all without changing firmware I²C timing registers.

How many AT24C04N-10SI devices can share the same I²C bus, and what determines their addresses?

Up to four AT24C04N-10SI devices can operate on a single I²C bus. Their 7-bit device addresses are determined solely by the hardwired states of A2 and A1 pins (A0 is NC), yielding addresses 0x50, 0x51, 0x52, or 0x53. This fixed addressing scheme eliminates software configuration overhead and ensures deterministic bus arbitration in multi-EEPROM systems like modular sensor racks.

What is the function of the WP pin on the AT24C04N-10SI, and how should it be connected in a production design?

The WP (Write Protect) pin on the AT24C04N-10SI enables hardware-level write locking: when pulled high to VCC, it disables all write operations to the entire 4K memory array; when grounded, full read/write access is granted. In production, WP should be tied to VCC through a 0 Ω resistor or jumper to prevent field corruption - allowing safe firmware updates only when the resistor is temporarily removed or the jumper opened.

Does the AT24C04N-10SI support partial page writes, and what happens when a write crosses a page boundary?

Yes, the AT24C04N-10SI supports partial page writes - up to 16 bytes per transaction. When a write crosses a 16-byte page boundary, the address counter rolls over to the start of the same page, overwriting earlier bytes in that page. This behavior is documented and predictable; firmware must therefore ensure write length and starting address stay within a single page unless intentional wraparound is desired.

What is the endurance and data retention specification for the AT24C04N-10SI, and how are these validated?

The AT24C04N-10SI is specified for 1 million write cycles and 100 years of data retention at 25°C. These values are characterized per JEDEC standards using accelerated life testing across voltage, temperature, and cycling stress conditions - not extrapolated or estimated. The 100-year retention assumes storage at room temperature; derating applies above 85°C ambient per manufacturer's published Arrhenius models.