Microchip Technology AT25010A-10TU-1.8

Overview

AT25010A-10TU-1.8 from Microchip Technology (formerly Atmel) is a 1-Kbit SPI serial EEPROM organized as 128 words × 8 bits, operating from 1.8 V to 5.5 V, supporting 20 MHz clock rate at 5 V, featuring 8-byte page write, block write protection, and industrial temperature range (−40°C to +85°C). It serves as nonvolatile configuration storage in microcontroller-based embedded systems requiring low-voltage operation and space-constrained PCB layouts.

For engineers reviewing the AT25010A-10TU-1.8 datasheet, AT25010A-10TU-1.8 pinout, AT25010A-10TU-1.8 application, or AT25010A-10TU-1.8 equivalent, key selection considerations include its 1.8 V minimum supply, TSSOP-8 package footprint, SPI Mode 0/3 compatibility, hardware write protection via WP pin, and 1 million write cycle endurance - all critical for battery-powered and automotive-grade designs.

Technical Context

The AT25010A-10TU-1.8 implements a synchronous SPI slave interface with dedicated SI (input), SO (output), SCK (clock), and CS (chip select) pins, enabling direct connection to MCU SPI peripherals without level-shifting. Its internal architecture includes an 8-bit instruction register, status register with BP0/BP1 block protection bits, and automatic address incrementing during multi-byte reads/writes.

It supports dual voltage operation (1.8–5.5 V), self-timed 5 ms max write cycles, and hardware/software data protection via WP pin and WREN/WRDI instructions. The HOLD pin suspends ongoing serial transfers without resetting sequence state - essential for interrupt-driven host systems.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AT25010A-10TU-1.8 is housed in an 8-lead Thin Shrink Small Outline Package (TSSOP), 0.170" wide body, RoHS-compliant and green-marked ("U" suffix), with 0.65 mm lead pitch and JEDEC MO-153 compliant dimensions.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with M95128-WMN6TP and BR24G12-3MNUX, the AT25010A-10TU-1.8 delivers SPI-native timing headroom at 1.8 V, precise 25%/50%/100% block protection, and HOLD functionality - making it optimal for real-time interrupt-sensitive embedded hosts needing deterministic EEPROM access.

Availability

AT25010A-10TU-1.8 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smart metering, industrial PLCs, automotive body control modules, and medical infusion pumps requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for AT25010A-10TU-1.8 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, FPGA, and memory solutions, with broad industrial and automotive qualification programs.

The AT25010A-10TU-1.8 belongs to Microchip's legacy serial EEPROM product line, designed specifically for reliable, low-voltage, SPI-based nonvolatile storage in space- and power-constrained embedded systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum SPI clock frequency supported by the AT25010A-10TU-1.8 at 1.8 V?

The AT25010A-10TU-1.8 supports up to 5 MHz SCK frequency when operating within the 1.8 V to 5.5 V supply range. This is specified in Table 4 of the datasheet under "fSCK" with voltage condition "1.8–5.5 V". Performance degrades linearly below 1.8 V, and operation below 1.8 V is not guaranteed. The AT25010A-10TU-1.8 maintains full read/write functionality across this range without requiring voltage translation.

Does the AT25010A-10TU-1.8 require an external pull-up resistor on the SO pin?

No, the AT25010A-10TU-1.8 does not require an external pull-up on the SO pin. Its SO output is actively driven high or low during valid data transmission and enters high-impedance state when CS is high or HOLD is asserted. External pull-ups may cause bus contention or increased power draw and are explicitly discouraged in the datasheet's AC characteristics and timing diagrams.

How is write protection configured on the AT25010A-10TU-1.8?

Write protection on the AT25010A-10TU-1.8 is configured using two nonvolatile status register bits (BP1 and BP0), set via the WRSR instruction. These bits define four protection levels: none, 25%, 50%, or 100% of the memory array. Protection is enforced independently of the WP pin state. The AT25010A-10TU-1.8 retains BP bit values through power cycles and supports reconfiguration in-system after issuing WREN.

Can the AT25010A-10TU-1.8 be used with SPI Mode 1 or Mode 2?

No, the AT25010A-10TU-1.8 only supports SPI Mode 0 (CPOL = 0, CPHA = 0) and Mode 3 (CPOL = 1, CPHA = 1), as explicitly stated in the Features section. Modes 1 and 2 are incompatible due to mismatched clock polarity and phase timing relative to data sampling. Attempting to use unsupported modes will result in corrupted reads/writes. The AT25010A-10TU-1.8 datasheet confirms this limitation in both functional description and timing diagrams.

What is the purpose of the HOLD pin on the AT25010A-10TU-1.8?

The HOLD pin on the AT25010A-10TU-1.8 allows a host MCU to pause an ongoing SPI transaction without resetting the internal address counter or command state. When asserted low while SCK is low, it places SO in high-impedance and ignores SI inputs until HOLD is deasserted. This enables deterministic interruption - for example, during CAN or USB interrupt servicing - and guarantees seamless resumption of the exact same read/write sequence. The AT25010A-10TU-1.8 requires no reinitialization after HOLD release.