Microchip Technology AT25160B-MAHL-T

Overview

AT25160B-MAHL-T from Microchip Technology is a 16 Kbit (2,048 × 8) SPI Serial EEPROM optimized for low-voltage embedded systems. It operates from 1.8V to 5.5V, supports 20 MHz clock rate at 5V, features 32-byte page write mode, and includes hardware/software write protection via WP pin and STATUS register control - deployed in industrial sensor calibration storage and firmware parameter retention.

For engineers reviewing the AT25160B-MAHL-T datasheet, AT25160B-MAHL-T pinout, AT25160B-MAHL-T application, or AT25160B-MAHL-T equivalent, key selection criteria include its industrial temperature range (−40°C to +85°C), 1,000,000 write endurance, 100-year data retention, SPI Mode 0/3 compatibility, and 8-pin SOIC package with validated HOLD/CS/SO/SI/SCK/WP/GND/VCC interface behavior.

Technical Context

The AT25160B-MAHL-T implements a synchronous SPI slave interface with fixed MSb-first serial protocol, supporting both Mode 0 (CPOL=0, CPHA=0) and Mode 3 (CPOL=1, CPHA=1). Its internal architecture includes a high-voltage generation circuit for EEPROM programming, a status register with nonvolatile BP0/BP1 block protection bits, and a dedicated HOLD pin that suspends ongoing serial transfers without resetting the command sequence.

Write operations are managed through a two-step process: WREN instruction sets the Write Enable Latch (WEL), followed by WRITE or WRSR commands; self-timed internal write cycles complete within 5 ms maximum. The device enters Standby mode at power-up with WEL=0 and Ready/Busy=0, requiring CS assertion before accepting opcodes.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AT25160B-MAHL-T is packaged in an 8-lead SOIC (Small Outline Integrated Circuit) with standard JEDEC MS-012AC footprint (5.3 mm × 5.3 mm, 1.27 mm pitch). Pin 1 is marked with a beveled corner or dot; device orientation follows top-view labeling with CS at pin 1 and VCC at pin 8.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with M95160-DRMN6TP/K and 25AA160CT-I/OT, the AT25160B-MAHL-T uniquely delivers full 1.8–5.5V operation, 20 MHz performance at 5V, and dual hardware/software write protection - making it the only option among the three qualified for new industrial designs requiring wide voltage range and robust data integrity.

Availability

AT25160B-MAHL-T is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration storage, medical device configuration memory, and automotive body control module NVM requiring stable component supply across multi-year production cycles.

Supply support for AT25160B-MAHL-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 infrastructure.

The AT25160B-MAHL-T belongs to Microchip's AT25xxx family of SPI Serial EEPROMs, designed specifically for reliable, low-power nonvolatile storage in resource-constrained embedded systems where data integrity and long-term retention are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum clock frequency supported by the AT25160B-MAHL-T?

The AT25160B-MAHL-T supports up to 20 MHz SCK frequency when VCC is 4.5V to 5.5V, 10 MHz at 2.5V to 5.5V, and 5 MHz across the full 1.8V to 5.5V range. This graded speed scaling ensures timing compliance and signal integrity across all operating voltages. The AT25160B-MAHL-T datasheet specifies these limits in Table 4-3 under AC Characteristics.

Does the AT25160B-MAHL-T require external pull-up resistors on its control pins?

Yes - the AT25160B-MAHL-T requires a pull-up resistor (≤10 kΩ) on the CS pin to ensure proper power-up behavior and prevent spurious writes. The WP and HOLD pins also benefit from defined logic states (typically pulled high via 10 kΩ) to avoid floating inputs that could trigger unintended protection or suspend modes. The AT25160B-MAHL-T pin description section explicitly recommends this in Section 2.1.

How does write protection work on the AT25160B-MAHL-T?

Write protection on the AT25160B-MAHL-T combines hardware and software methods: the WP pin disables STATUS register writes when WPEN=1, while BP0/BP1 bits in the STATUS register define protected memory blocks (1/4, 1/2, or full array). Both mechanisms must be configured correctly - WP pin state and STATUS register contents - to achieve robust protection. The AT25160B-MAHL-T datasheet details this in Sections 2.3 and 5.4.

What is the purpose of the HOLD pin on the AT25160B-MAHL-T?

The HOLD pin on the AT25160B-MAHL-T suspends ongoing SPI communication without resetting the command sequence or affecting internal write cycles. When asserted during SCK low time, it places SO in high-Z and ignores SI/SCK transitions, allowing the host MCU to service interrupts and resume exactly where it left off. This behavior is documented for the AT25160B-MAHL-T in Section 2.7 and Figure 5-2 of the datasheet.

Is the AT25160B-MAHL-T compatible with SPI Mode 1 or Mode 2?

No - the AT25160B-MAHL-T explicitly supports only SPI Modes 0 and 3, as confirmed in the Features section and Section 5 of the datasheet. It samples SI on the rising edge and outputs SO on the falling edge of SCK in both modes; the difference lies only in SCK idle polarity. Attempting Mode 1 or Mode 2 will result in misaligned data capture and communication failure. The AT25160B-MAHL-T does not respond to unsupported modes.