Microchip Technology AT25160B-XHL-B

Overview

AT25160B-XHL-B from Microchip Technology is a 16 Kbit (2,048 × 8) SPI Serial EEPROM IC designed for nonvolatile data storage in embedded control and configuration systems. It operates from 1.8V to 5.5V, supports 20 MHz clock rate at 5V, features 32-byte page write mode, and delivers 1,000,000 write cycles with 100-year data retention - deployed in industrial temperature range (−40°C to +85°C) applications including sensor calibration storage and firmware parameter backup.

For engineers reviewing the AT25160B-XHL-B datasheet, AT25160B-XHL-B pinout, AT25160B-XHL-B application, or AT25160B-XHL-B equivalent, key selection considerations include its dual SPI Mode 0/3 compatibility, hardware/software write protection via WP pin and STATUS register, HOLD function for bus arbitration, low-power standby current (<0.1 µA at 1.8V), and RoHS-compliant 8-lead XDFN package.

Technical Context

The AT25160B-XHL-B implements a synchronous SPI slave interface with fixed MSb-first data framing, rising-edge input sampling on SI, and falling-edge output valid on SO. Its internal architecture includes a high-voltage generation circuit for EEPROM programming, address register and counter, and dedicated write-protection control logic tied to the STATUS register's WPEN, BP1, and BP0 bits.

It supports block write protection of 1/4, 1/2, or full memory array, uses self-timed internal write cycles (≤5 ms), and incorporates Power-on Reset (POR) with 100 µs tPUP delay before command acceptance. The HOLD pin enables pause/resume of serial transfers without resetting the instruction sequence, provided SCK is low during assertion/deassertion.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AT25160B-XHL-B is housed in an 8-pad XDFN (eXtremely Thin Dual Flat No-lead) package with wettable flank leads, measuring 2.0 mm × 1.6 mm × 0.55 mm (max), optimized for automated optical inspection (AOI) and high-density PCB layouts.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with M95160-DRMN6TP/K and BR24G16FJ-3GE2, the AT25160B-XHL-B uniquely combines HOLD pin support, hardware WP, and industrial −40°C to +85°C operation in a space-constrained XDFN package - making it optimal for real-time embedded systems needing deterministic bus arbitration and robust data integrity.

Availability

AT25160B-XHL-B is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, medical instrumentation, and smart energy metering requiring stable component supply, long-lifecycle assurance, and RoHS-compliant sourcing.

Supply support for AT25160B-XHL-B 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 Inc. is a U.S.-based semiconductor company specializing in microcontrollers, analog devices, and memory solutions, with global manufacturing and quality certifications including ISO 9001 and IATF 16949.

The AT25160B-XHL-B belongs to Microchip's AT25xxx family of SPI Serial EEPROMs, engineered for low-voltage, high-reliability nonvolatile storage in resource-constrained embedded systems where power efficiency, data integrity, and industrial environmental resilience are mandatory.

FAQ

What is the maximum clock frequency supported by the AT25160B-XHL-B?

The AT25160B-XHL-B 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. These limits ensure timing compliance for setup/hold and output validity per AC characteristics in DS20006244A. The AT25160B-XHL-B must operate within these constraints to guarantee reliable read/write operations under all specified voltage and temperature conditions.

Does the AT25160B-XHL-B require external pull-up resistors on its I/O pins?

The AT25160B-XHL-B does not integrate internal pull-ups on CS, WP, or HOLD; a pull-up resistor (≤10 kΩ to VCC) is recommended on CS for robust power-up initialization, while WP and HOLD may be pulled high or low depending on system protection and bus arbitration needs. The AT25160B-XHL-B datasheet specifies that CS must follow VCC monotonically during power-up, and improper biasing can cause spurious writes or communication failure.

How does the HOLD pin function during an active write cycle in the AT25160B-XHL-B?

The HOLD pin has no effect on an ongoing internal write cycle in the AT25160B-XHL-B; it only suspends serial communication (e.g., mid-read or instruction reception). If a WRITE command has already triggered the self-timed 5 ms programming sequence, asserting HOLD will pause further SPI traffic but will not interrupt the EEPROM cell programming. The AT25160B-XHL-B completes the write autonomously and asserts READY via STATUS register upon completion.

Can the AT25160B-XHL-B be used in SPI Mode 1 or Mode 2 configurations?

No - the AT25160B-XHL-B explicitly supports only SPI Modes 0 and 3, as confirmed in its datasheet (DS20006244A, Section 5). These modes share identical data sampling (rising edge for input, falling edge for output) but differ in SCK idle polarity. Attempting Mode 1 or 2 will result in misaligned data capture or communication failure. The AT25160B-XHL-B must be configured in either Mode 0 (SCK idle low) or Mode 3 (SCK idle high) to ensure correct opcode and address interpretation.

What is the default state of the STATUS register after power-up in the AT25160B-XHL-B?

At power-up, the AT25160B-XHL-B initializes the STATUS register with WEL = 0 (write disabled), RDY = 0 (ready), and preserves prior nonvolatile values of WPEN, BP1, and BP0 - meaning block protection settings persist across power cycles. The AT25160B-XHL-B ships with WPEN = 0 and BP1/BP0 = 0, allowing full array writes until the user configures protection. This behavior is defined in Section 4.6.5 of DS20006244A.