Microchip Technology AT24C16C-MAHM-E

Overview

AT24C16C-MAHM-E from Microchip Technology is a 16-Kbit I²C-compatible serial EEPROM organized as 2,048 × 8 bits, operating from 1.7V to 5.5V across -40°C to +85°C. It supports Standard (100 kHz), Fast (400 kHz), and Fast Mode Plus (1 MHz) I²C speeds, features hardware write protection via WP pin, and delivers ultra-low standby current (6 μA max) for battery-backed data logging and configuration storage in industrial controllers.

For engineers reviewing the AT24C16C-MAHM-E datasheet, AT24C16C-MAHM-E pinout, AT24C16C-MAHM-E application, or AT24C16C-MAHM-E equivalent, key selection criteria include guaranteed 1.7V operation, 16-byte page write capability with ≤5 ms self-timed write cycle, 1,000,000 write endurance, 100-year data retention, and compatibility with standard I²C bus timing including Schmitt-triggered, noise-filtered SDA/SCL inputs.

Technical Context

The AT24C16C-MAHM-E implements a true I²C slave interface with open-drain SDA and input-only SCL pins, requiring external pull-up resistors. Its internal architecture includes an address register, column/row decoders, high-voltage generation circuitry for EEPROM programming, and integrated Power-on Reset (POR) with 100 µs tPUP delay after VCC stabilization.

It uses a 11-bit word address space (A10–A0) mapped to 128 pages of 16 bytes each, enabling partial-page writes within a single physical page boundary. Write protection is implemented via dedicated WP pin logic that disables all writes when pulled high, with internal weak pull-down ensuring safe default behavior when unconnected.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AT24C16C-MAHM-E is supplied in an 8-pad UDFN package (2.0 mm × 1.6 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) with wettable flank leads for automated optical inspection. The exposed pad is internally connected to GND and must be soldered to PCB ground plane for thermal and EMI performance.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AT24C16C-MAHM-E, AT24C16D-MAHM-T adds automotive qualification and extended temperature margin at no package or pinout change, while M24C16-RMN6TP trades FM+ capability and lower ISB for lower unit cost - making AT24C16C-MAHM-E the optimal balance of industrial-grade reliability, wide voltage operation, and I²C performance headroom.

Availability

AT24C16C-MAHM-E is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLCs, smart utility meters, medical infusion devices, and automotive body control modules requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and RoHS-compliant green packaging.

Supply support for AT24C16C-MAHM-E 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 memory solutions, with design centers and manufacturing facilities across the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

The AT24C16C-MAHM-E belongs to Microchip's AT24Cxx family of I²C serial EEPROMs engineered for industrial and commercial systems demanding low-voltage operation, high reliability, and seamless integration into resource-constrained embedded designs.

FAQ

What is the minimum VCC voltage required for reliable operation of the AT24C16C-MAHM-E?

The AT24C16C-MAHM-E is fully specified to operate down to 1.7V across its entire industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C). At this voltage, it supports Standard Mode (100 kHz) I²C communication and guarantees all DC and AC electrical characteristics, including 6 μA max standby current and proper WP pin functionality. Operation below 1.7V is not characterized and may result in undefined behavior or data corruption.

Does the AT24C16C-MAHM-E require external pull-up resistors on SDA and SCL lines?

Yes, the AT24C16C-MAHM-E requires external pull-up resistors on both SDA and SCL lines because SDA is an open-drain output and SCL is a CMOS input that must be held high when idle. Microchip specifies maximum pull-up values of 10 kΩ for 100 kHz, 4 kΩ for 400 kHz, and 1.3 kΩ for 1 MHz operation - values chosen to meet rise time (tR ≤ 300 ns) and bus capacitance (CL ≤ 100 pF) requirements per I²C specification.

How does the WP pin function on the AT24C16C-MAHM-E, and what happens if it is left unconnected?

When the WP pin on the AT24C16C-MAHM-E is pulled high to VCC, all write operations to the entire memory array are inhibited. If left unconnected, the internal weak pull-down asserts GND on WP, enabling normal write functionality. However, due to potential capacitive coupling in noisy environments, Microchip recommends explicitly tying WP to either VCC or GND using ≤10 kΩ resistors - never leaving it floating in production designs.

What is the maximum number of bytes that can be written in a single page write cycle for the AT24C16C-MAHM-E?

The AT24C16C-MAHM-E supports up to 16 bytes per page write cycle, aligned to its internal 16-byte page boundary (address bits A10–A4 constant). Partial page writes of any length from 1 to 16 bytes are permitted. Attempting to write across a page boundary causes the internal address counter to wrap to the start of the same page, potentially overwriting earlier bytes in that cycle - so host firmware must enforce page-aligned multi-byte writes.

Is the AT24C16C-MAHM-E compatible with Fast Mode Plus (FM+) I²C timing at 1 MHz?

Yes, the AT24C16C-MAHM-E fully supports Fast Mode Plus (FM+) operation at up to 1 MHz, but only when VCC is ≥2.5V. At 1.7V–2.4V, it is limited to Standard (100 kHz) and Fast (400 kHz) modes. The FM+ support includes compliant tLOW (500 ns min), tHIGH (400 ns min), and tR/tF (≤300 ns/≤100 ns) specifications, enabling high-throughput configuration updates in bandwidth-constrained embedded systems.