Microchip Technology AT25160B-TH-T

Overview

AT25160B-TH-T from Microchip Technology (formerly Atmel) is a 16-kbit SPI serial EEPROM organized as 2048 × 8-bit memory, operating from 1.8 V to 5.5 V, supporting 20 MHz clock rate at 5 V, featuring 32-byte page write and hardware/software write protection. It serves as nonvolatile configuration storage in industrial controllers, sensor nodes, and power management ICs requiring low-voltage, high-reliability data retention.

For engineers reviewing the AT25160B-TH-T datasheet, AT25160B-TH-T pinout, AT25160B-TH-T application, or AT25160B-TH-T equivalent, key selection criteria include its TSSOP-8 package with NiPdAu lead finish, 100-year data retention, 1 million write cycles, block write protection granularity (1/4, 1/2, or full array), and HOLD/CS-controlled suspend capability for robust SPI bus arbitration.

Technical Context

The AT25160B-TH-T implements a synchronous SPI slave interface compliant with Modes 0 and 3, using separate SI (input) and SO (output) pins with MSB-first framing. Chip select (CS) enables device access, while HOLD allows mid-transaction suspension without resetting the sequence.

It integrates a nonvolatile status register with BP0/BP1 bits for configurable block protection and WPEN bit enabling/disabling hardware write protection via the WP pin. All writes require prior WREN instruction, and internal self-timed write cycles complete in ≤5 ms with no external erase step.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AT25160B-TH-T is supplied in an 8-lead Plastic Thin Shrink Small Outline Package (TSSOP), 4.4 mm body width, JEDEC-compliant, with NiPdAu lead finish for enhanced solderability and corrosion resistance.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with M95160-WMN6TP and BR24G16FJ-WE2, the AT25160B-TH-T delivers full 20 MHz operation down to 1.8 V, native SPI Mode 0/3 support, and finer-grained block protection-making it optimal for high-throughput, mixed-voltage industrial systems where pin-compatible alternatives lack equivalent timing or protection flexibility.

Availability

AT25160B-TH-T is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, smart energy metering, medical diagnostics equipment, and automotive body electronics requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for AT25160B-TH-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 nonvolatile memory solutions, with broad industrial and automotive qualification coverage.

The AT25160B-TH-T belongs to Microchip's serial EEPROM product line, designed specifically for reliable, low-voltage configuration storage in space-constrained embedded systems where SPI interface simplicity and long-term data integrity are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum clock frequency supported by the AT25160B-TH-T at 1.8 V?

The AT25160B-TH-T supports up to 5 MHz at 1.8 V, as specified in Table 0-4 AC Characteristics under "1.8–5.5 V" voltage column. This ensures robust timing margins for low-power operation while maintaining compatibility with common 1.8 V microcontrollers' SPI peripherals.

Does the AT25160B-TH-T require an external erase command before writing?

No, the AT25160B-TH-T does not require a separate erase command. All write operations are self-timed and automatically erase and program the target page within the 5 ms maximum write cycle time. The device only requires WREN followed by WRITE instruction to initiate programming.

How is block write protection configured on the AT25160B-TH-T?

Block write protection on the AT25160B-TH-T is configured by setting BP0 and BP1 bits in the status register via the WRSR instruction. With BP1=1 and BP0=1, the full 0x0000–0x07FF address range is write-protected; other combinations protect quarter or half arrays as defined in Table 2-4.

Can the AT25160B-TH-T be used with a 3.3 V microcontroller SPI interface?

Yes, the AT25160B-TH-T operates across 1.8 V to 5.5 V and is fully compatible with 3.3 V SPI interfaces. Its VIH minimum is 0.7×VCC and VIL maximum is 0.3×VCC, ensuring reliable logic-level recognition when driven by standard 3.3 V GPIOs.

What is the function of the HOLD pin on the AT25160B-TH-T?

The HOLD pin on the AT25160B-TH-T suspends ongoing SPI communication without resetting the internal address counter or sequence state. When asserted low while SCK is low, it places SO in high-impedance and ignores SI inputs, enabling multi-master bus sharing or priority interrupt handling in real-time systems.