Microchip Technology AT25160A-10TU-2.7-T

Overview

AT25160A-10TU-2.7-T from Microchip Technology (formerly Atmel) is a 16-Kbit SPI serial EEPROM organized as 2048 words × 8 bits, operating from 2.7V to 5.5V, supporting 20 MHz clock rate at 5V, with 32-byte page write capability and hardware/software write protection via WP pin and status register. It serves in industrial control systems for parameter storage and calibration data retention.

For engineers reviewing the AT25160A-10TU-2.7-T datasheet, AT25160A-10TU-2.7-T pinout, AT25160A-10TU-2.7-T application, or AT25160A-10TU-2.7-T equivalent, key selection considerations include VCC range compatibility (2.7–5.5V), TSSOP-8 package footprint, SPI Mode 0/3 support, block write protection granularity (1/4, 1/2, full array), and 1 million write cycle endurance.

Technical Context

The AT25160A-10TU-2.7-T implements a synchronous SPI slave interface with separate SI/SO lines, MSB-first data transfer, and CS-controlled device selection. It uses an 8-bit instruction register with op-codes for WREN, WRDI, RDSR, WRSR, READ, and WRITE operations.

Internal architecture includes nonvolatile status register bits (WPEN, BP1, BP0, WEN, RDY) controlling hardware write protection and block protection levels. The HOLD pin suspends ongoing serial communication without resetting the sequence, while self-timed write cycles complete in ≤5 ms with no external erase required.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AT25160A-10TU-2.7-T is housed in an 8-lead TSSOP package (4.4 mm body width, 0.65 mm pitch), RoHS-compliant and green-marked ("U" suffix), with standard JEDEC SOIC-compatible footprint.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with M95160-DRMN3TP/K and BR24G16FJ-3GE2, the AT25160A-10TU-2.7-T provides guaranteed HOLD functionality and consistent status register behavior across Microchip's AT25xxx family, enabling seamless migration from AT25080A/AT25320A in existing designs.

Availability

AT25160A-10TU-2.7-T is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration, medical device configuration, automotive body control, and smart energy metering requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for AT25160A-10TU-2.7-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 global semiconductor company specializing in microcontrollers, analog devices, and memory solutions, with headquarters in Chandler, Arizona.

The AT25xxx family was designed specifically for robust, low-power serial EEPROM applications in industrial, automotive, and medical systems where data integrity, long-term retention, and SPI interoperability are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum clock frequency supported by the AT25160A-10TU-2.7-T at 3.3V operation?

The AT25160A-10TU-2.7-T supports up to 10 MHz at 2.7–3.6V VCC per AC Characteristics Table 1-3. This is confirmed by the fSCK specification: 10 MHz maximum for 2.7–5.5V range. At 3.3V, the device operates within this validated window, enabling reliable high-speed communication with common 3.3V microcontrollers without derating.

Does the AT25160A-10TU-2.7-T require an external pull-up resistor on the SO pin?

No, the AT25160A-10TU-2.7-T has an internally weak pull-up on the SO pin during standby, but it is not intended for bus contention resolution. External pull-up resistors are recommended only if multiple SO lines share a common bus (not typical for single-device SPI), and the datasheet specifies SO is actively driven during read cycles - so no external pull-up is required for standard point-to-point SPI connections.

How does the WP pin interact with the WPEN bit in the status register of the AT25160A-10TU-2.7-T?

In the AT25160A-10TU-2.7-T, the WP pin only affects write protection when the WPEN bit is set to "1". If WPEN = 0, the WP pin is ignored and all writes to the status register are permitted. When WPEN = 1 and WP is pulled low, writes to the status register (including BP bits and WPEN itself) and protected memory blocks are inhibited - providing dual-layer hardware/software control unique to this device.

Can the AT25160A-10TU-2.7-T be used in SPI Mode 1 or Mode 2 configurations?

No, the AT25160A-10TU-2.7-T explicitly supports only SPI Modes 0 (CPOL = 0, CPHA = 0) and 3 (CPOL = 1, CPHA = 1), as stated in the Features section. Attempting Mode 1 (CPOL = 0, CPHA = 1) or Mode 2 (CPOL = 1, CPHA = 0) will result in incorrect data sampling or clock synchronization failure, since the device's timing diagrams and internal logic are validated solely for Modes 0 and 3.

What is the purpose of the HOLD pin in the AT25160A-10TU-2.7-T, and how must it be controlled?

The HOLD pin in the AT25160A-10TU-2.7-T suspends ongoing SPI communication without resetting the internal address counter or command state. To activate HOLD, the pin must be driven low while SCK is low; to resume, it must be returned high while SCK remains low. This allows deterministic interruption of multi-byte reads/writes - essential for servicing time-critical interrupts in real-time embedded systems using the AT25160A-10TU-2.7-T.