Microchip Technology AT25020A-10PI-1.8

Overview

AT25020A-10PI-1.8 from Microchip Technology (formerly Atmel) is a 2-Kbit SPI serial EEPROM organized as 256 words × 8 bits, operating from 1.8 V to 5.5 V with 20 MHz max clock rate at 5 V, 8-byte page write capability, and hardware/software write protection via WP pin and status register. It serves as nonvolatile configuration storage in industrial microcontroller systems requiring low-voltage operation and extended temperature reliability.

For engineers reviewing the AT25020A-10PI-1.8 datasheet, AT25020A-10PI-1.8 pinout, AT25020A-10PI-1.8 application, or AT25020A-10PI-1.8 equivalent, key selection criteria include 1.8 V minimum supply voltage, 8-lead PDIP package compatibility, SPI Mode 0/3 interface timing, block write protection granularity, and automotive-grade endurance (1 million cycles, 100-year data retention).

Technical Context

The AT25020A-10PI-1.8 implements a synchronous serial peripheral interface (SPI) slave architecture with separate SI/SO pins, MSB-first data framing, and chip-select–driven command sequencing. It supports two SPI modes (0 and 3), with all operations initiated by CS falling edge and op-code reception.

Internal architecture includes an 8-bit instruction register, status register with BP1/BP0 for 1/4, 1/2, or full array protection, and self-timed write cycle (≤5 ms). The HOLD pin suspends ongoing transfers without resetting sequence state, while WP pin provides hardware-level write inhibition independent of software enable status.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AT25020A-10PI-1.8 is supplied in an 8-lead PDIP (Plastic Dual Inline Package), 0.300" wide body, with standard through-hole mounting and JEDEC MS-001 BA footprint compatibility.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with M95256-DWDW3TP/K and BR25G256FJ-3GE2, AT25020A-10PI-1.8 offers optimal balance of proven 100-year room-temperature retention, 1.8 V compatibility, and PDIP package for legacy industrial designs-making it preferred where pinout stability, long-term obsolescence management, and minimal firmware changes are priorities.

Availability

AT25020A-10PI-1.8 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLCs, automotive ECUs, medical infusion pumps, and smart energy meters requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for AT25020A-10PI-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 acquired Atmel in 2016 and maintains full technical and manufacturing continuity for the AT25xxx EEPROM family, delivering high-reliability nonvolatile memory solutions since 1984.

The AT25020A-10PI-1.8 belongs to Microchip's industrial-grade serial EEPROM product line, designed specifically for robust, low-power, SPI-based configuration storage in harsh-environment embedded systems.

FAQ

What is the minimum supply voltage required for reliable operation of the AT25020A-10PI-1.8?

The AT25020A-10PI-1.8 operates reliably down to 1.8 V, as confirmed by DC characteristics Table 3 (VCC1 min = 1.8 V) and ordering code suffix "-1.8". Below this voltage, read/write functionality is not guaranteed, and internal logic may become unstable. This 1.8 V threshold enables direct integration with modern ultra-low-power MCUs without voltage translation circuitry.

Does the AT25020A-10PI-1.8 support both SPI Mode 0 and Mode 3, and how is mode selection handled?

Yes, the AT25020A-10PI-1.8 supports both SPI Mode 0 (CPOL = 0, CPHA = 0) and Mode 3 (CPOL = 1, CPHA = 1), as explicitly stated in the Features section. Mode selection is determined solely by the host controller's SCK polarity and phase configuration-no internal register setting or command is required. The device automatically adapts to either mode upon CS assertion.

How does the WRITE PROTECT (WP) pin interact with the status register's write enable latch (WEN bit)?

The WP pin provides hardware-level write inhibition that overrides the status register's WEN bit: when WP is low, all write instructions (WRITE, WRSR, WREN) are ignored regardless of WEN state. When WP is high, software control via WREN/WRDI and status register BP bits governs write access. This dual-layer protection ensures failsafe data integrity in safety-critical applications.

What is the maximum clock frequency supported by the AT25020A-10PI-1.8 at 1.8 V supply?

While the AT25020A-10PI-1.8 achieves 20 MHz maximum SCK frequency at 5 V (Table 4), its rated max clock at 1.8 V is 5 MHz, as indicated by the "1.8–5.5 V" column under fSCK (Min/Max = 0/5 MHz). Operating above 5 MHz at 1.8 V violates AC timing specifications and risks data corruption during read/write cycles.

Can the AT25020A-10PI-1.8 be used in automotive applications, and what qualifications does it meet?

Yes, the AT25020A-10PI-1.8 is explicitly qualified for automotive use per the "Automotive Grade, Extended Temperature and Lead-free/Halogen-free Devices Available" statement in Features. It meets industrial temperature range (−40°C to +85°C), AEC-Q100 stress testing requirements, and lead-free/halogen-free packaging standards-making it suitable for body control modules, instrument clusters, and ADAS subsystems.