Renesas AT25XE161D-SSHN-B

Overview

AT25XE161D from Renesas Electronics is a 16-Mbit SPI serial flash memory IC supporting 1.65 V–3.6 V operation, quad I/O (1-4-4/XiP) and dual/quad output modes, with 133 MHz max clock frequency and 256-byte page erase capability. It serves as non-volatile program storage or XiP code execution memory in embedded boot loaders, IoT edge nodes, and industrial controllers.

For engineers reviewing the AT25XE161D datasheet, AT25XE161D pinout, AT25XE161D application, or AT25XE161D equivalent, key selection criteria include multi-I/O timing compliance, ultra-low deep power-down current (7 nA), SRAM-emulating Read-Modify-Write command, and JEDEC-standard SFDP support for automatic configuration.

Technical Context

The AT25XE161D implements a flexible SPI interface with hardware-selectable dual (1-1-2) and quad (1-1-4, 1-4-4, 0-4-4) data transfer modes, enabling high-throughput reads without CPU intervention during XiP. Its internal architecture integrates a 256-byte SRAM buffer, status register bank (SR1–SR6), and OTP security registers for firmware integrity.

Memory protection is enforced via individual block lock, global lock/unlock, and user-definable protected regions at array start/end. Erase/program suspend/resume enables concurrent background operations, while active status interrupt (25h) signals RDY/BSY transitions to host processors.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AT25XE161D-SSHN-B uses an 8-lead SOIC (150-mil) package with standard SPI pinout and dual-function I/O pins. The device supports hardware reset via HOLD/RESET pin and write protection via WP pin.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with W25Q16JVSNIQ and MT25QL128ABA8E12-0SIT, the AT25XE161D delivers unique value in ultra-low-power edge sensing (7 nA UDPD), SRAM-like RMW writes, and integrated security (UID + 3×128B OTP), making it optimal for battery-constrained, safety-critical, or firmware-authenticated applications.

Availability

AT25XE161D-SSHN-B is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLC firmware storage, IoT edge node data logging, and automotive infotainment boot loaders requiring stable component supply across multi-year production cycles.

Supply support for AT25XE161D-SSHN-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

Renesas Electronics is a Japanese semiconductor manufacturer specializing in microcontrollers, analog, power, and memory solutions for industrial, automotive, and enterprise markets.

The AT25XE161D belongs to Renesas' AT25XE family of SPI flash devices engineered for ultra-low-power, secure, and high-reliability embedded storage - particularly where battery life, firmware authenticity, and real-time XiP performance are critical.

FAQ

What voltage range does the AT25XE161D-SSHN-B support?

The AT25XE161D-SSHN-B operates across a wide supply range of 1.65 V to 3.6 V, enabling direct integration into single-cell Li-ion, coin-cell, and mixed-voltage 3.3 V/2.5 V systems without level-shifting. This range is fully specified over the −40 °C to +85 °C temperature range and validated per JEDEC standards in the official datasheet DS-AT25XE161D-158 Rev. M.

Does the AT25XE161D-SSHN-B support execute-in-place (XiP) operation?

Yes, the AT25XE161D-SSHN-B supports true eXecute-in-Place (XiP) via its 0-4-4 and 1-4-4 quad I/O modes, which eliminate opcode transmission overhead and deliver continuous burst reads. The device achieves this using dedicated I/O0–I/O3 pins, internal address wrap logic, and optimized timing - confirmed in Section 4.6 and Figure 15–17 of the AT25XE161D datasheet.

What is the purpose of the HOLD/RESET pin on the AT25XE161D-SSHN-B?

The HOLD/RESET pin on the AT25XE161D-SSHN-B serves two distinct functions: as a HOLD input to pause ongoing SPI transfers without losing internal state, and as a hardware reset trigger compliant with JEDEC JESD22-A102. A specific pulse sequence (see Section 4.12 and Figure 22) resets the device during program/erase operations, ensuring safe recovery from fault conditions - a feature explicitly documented for the AT25XE161D-SSHN-B in Rev. M of its datasheet.

How does the Read-Modify-Write (RMW) command work in the AT25XE161D-SSHN-B?

The AT25XE161D-SSHN-B implements a single-command Read-Modify-Write (0Ah) that reads a full page (256 bytes), modifies specified bytes in its internal 256-byte SRAM buffer, and writes back - all atomically without host-side buffering. This emulates SRAM write behavior for small data updates, reducing firmware complexity and bus traffic, as detailed in Section 4.16 and Table 21 of the AT25XE161D datasheet.

What security features does the AT25XE161D-SSHN-B provide?

The AT25XE161D-SSHN-B provides three layers of security: (1) a factory-programmed 128-byte unique identifier (UID) for device authentication, (2) three 128-byte One-Time-Programmable (OTP) registers for storing keys or calibration data, and (3) individual/global block locking with status register protection. These features are implemented in silicon and verified in Sections 1.1, 4.11, and 4.8 of the AT25XE161D datasheet Rev. M.