Microchip Technology AT24C512C-XHD-T

Overview

AT24C512C-XHD-T from Microchip Technology is a 512-Kbit I²C-compatible serial EEPROM organized as 65,536 × 8 bits, operating from 1.7V to 3.6V or 2.5V to 5.5V, with industrial temperature range (−40°C to +85°C), 1 MHz Fast Mode Plus support, and hardware write-protection via WP pin - used for nonvolatile configuration storage in embedded controllers and sensor nodes.

For engineers reviewing the AT24C512C-XHD-T datasheet, AT24C512C-XHD-T pinout, AT24C512C-XHD-T application, or AT24C512C-XHD-T equivalent, key selection criteria include voltage-grade compatibility (1.7–3.6V vs. 2.5–5.5V), page-write timing (≤5 ms), endurance (1M cycles), data retention (100 years), and package-specific pin mapping for SOIC-8 footprint integration.

Technical Context

The AT24C512C-XHD-T implements a two-wire I²C slave interface with Schmitt-triggered, noise-filtered SDA/SCL inputs, supporting Standard (100 kHz), Fast (400 kHz), and Fast Mode Plus (1 MHz) clock rates depending on VCC level. It uses an internal high-voltage generation circuit for EEPROM programming and features hardware address inputs (A0–A2) enabling up to eight devices on one bus.

Memory is organized into 512 pages of 128 bytes each, supporting byte-write, partial-page-write, and sequential-read operations. Write protection is implemented via dedicated WP pin tied to VCC for full-array lockout, and the device enters low-power standby mode (<6 μA) after Stop condition or write completion.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AT24C512C-XHD-T is supplied in an 8-lead SOIC package (3.9 mm × 4.9 mm body, 1.27 mm pitch). Pin functions are standardized across SOIC, TSSOP, UDFN, VFBGA, and WLCSP variants per Microchip DS20006161B.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AT24C512BN-SH-B, the AT24C512C-XHD-T delivers 2.5× faster configuration writes via 1 MHz Fast Mode Plus, while versus M95512-DRMN6TP/K, it preserves I²C bus compatibility and hardware-based write protection - critical for retrofitting into legacy two-wire designs without firmware or layout changes.

Availability

AT24C512C-XHD-T is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLCs, smart meters, automotive body control modules, and medical diagnostic devices requiring stable component supply, long-term obsolescence management, and RoHS-compliant sourcing.

Supply support for AT24C512C-XHD-T 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 U.S.-based semiconductor company specializing in microcontrollers, analog devices, and memory solutions, with ISO 9001-certified manufacturing and global distribution.

The AT24C512C-XHD-T belongs to Microchip's AT24Cxx family of I²C serial EEPROMs, designed specifically for robust, low-power, and long-life nonvolatile data storage in space- and power-constrained embedded systems.

FAQ

What voltage ranges does the AT24C512C-XHD-T support, and how do they affect interface speed?

The AT24C512C-XHD-T supports two voltage grades: 1.7V–3.6V (low-voltage) and 2.5V–5.5V (standard). At VCC ≥ 2.5V, it achieves 1 MHz Fast Mode Plus operation; below 2.5V, maximum speed is 400 kHz Fast Mode. This dual-range design allows direct use in both battery-powered and line-powered systems without redesign. The AT24C512C-XHD-T automatically adapts its AC timing based on applied VCC, per DS20006161B Section 4.2.

How does the WP pin function on the AT24C512C-XHD-T, and what happens if left unconnected?

When the WP pin is driven high (VCC), the AT24C512C-XHD-T inhibits all write operations to its entire 512-Kbit memory array. If left floating, the pin is internally pulled down to GND, enabling writes - but Microchip strongly recommends tying WP to a defined logic level due to noise susceptibility from capacitive coupling. The AT24C512C-XHD-T datasheet (Section 2.5) confirms this behavior and specifies ≤10 kΩ pull-up resistor guidance if active-high protection is needed.

What is the maximum write cycle time for the AT24C512C-XHD-T, and does it vary by write mode?

The AT24C512C-XHD-T guarantees a maximum self-timed write cycle time of 5 ms for both byte and page writes, as specified in DS20006161B Section 7.4. This value is independent of VCC, temperature, or data pattern - ensuring predictable firmware update timing. During this period, the device does not acknowledge I²C commands; hosts must use acknowledge polling (Section 7.3) to detect completion. The AT24C512C-XHD-T's fixed 5 ms ceiling simplifies real-time system scheduling versus variable-latency alternatives.

Can multiple AT24C512C-XHD-T devices share the same I²C bus, and how is addressing managed?

Yes - up to eight AT24C512C-XHD-T devices can coexist on one I²C bus using hardware address pins A0, A1, and A2. These three pins configure the three LSBs of the 7-bit slave address (base 0x50), yielding addresses 0x50–0x57. All AT24C512C-XHD-T units respond only to their assigned address, enabling modular expansion without bus arbitration. As confirmed in DS20006161B Section 6.1, the AT24C512C-XHD-T's address decoding is fully hardware-based and requires no software configuration.

What package type is used for the AT24C512C-XHD-T, and are pinouts identical across other AT24C512C variants?

The AT24C512C-XHD-T uses an 8-lead SOIC package (3.9 mm × 4.9 mm, 1.27 mm pitch), with pinout matching the standard SOIC-8 variant shown in DS20006161B Figure 1-1. Crucially, all AT24C512C package options - including SOIJ, TSSOP, UDFN, VFBGA, and WLCSP - maintain identical pin functions and signal assignments per Table 2-1, though physical pin numbering differs in ball-grid and chip-scale variants. This functional consistency allows layout reuse across form factors when selecting the AT24C512C-XHD-T.