Microchip Technology AT28C16-15SI

Overview

AT28C16-15SI from Atmel is a 16 Kbit (2,048 × 8) parallel EEPROM with JEDEC-standard byte-wide pinout, 150 ns read access time, 1 ms standard byte write cycle, and CMOS/TTL-compatible I/O-designed for nonvolatile storage in microprocessor-based industrial control systems requiring reliable reprogramming without external UV erasure.

For engineers reviewing the AT28C16-15SI datasheet, AT28C16-15SI pinout, AT28C16-15SI application, or AT28C16-15SI equivalent, key selection considerations include its self-timed write architecture, DATA POLLING support on I/O7, 100 µA CMOS standby current, and industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C) for embedded systems with long-term data retention requirements.

Technical Context

The AT28C16-15SI operates as a drop-in parallel memory replacement for SRAM in read cycles and integrates internal address/data latching and an autonomous control timer for byte writes-eliminating need for external timing logic. Its dual-line chip enable (CE) and output enable (OE) control enables flexible bus arbitration and prevents contention during mixed read/write operations.

Write protection is implemented via VCC sensing (<3.8 V inhibits write), 5 ms power-on delay, and active-level gating (WE low + CE low + OE high required). Chip Clear (12 V on OE) and Device Identification (32 extra bytes at 7E0H–7FFH with A9 = 12 V) are supported through dedicated voltage-level signaling.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AT28C16-15SI is supplied in a 24-lead SOIC (24S) package per JEDEC MS-013, 0.300" wide body, with gull-wing leads and standard thermal profile compatibility.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AT28C16-15PI and AT28C16E-15SI, the AT28C16-15SI delivers the best balance of industrial reliability, SOIC packaging efficiency, and cost-effectiveness for applications requiring ≤10⁴ writes over product lifetime-without sacrificing 150 ns read performance or JEDEC compatibility.

Availability

AT28C16-15SI is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, medical device firmware storage, and automotive calibration applications requiring stable component supply, long-term obsolescence management, and guaranteed traceability.

Supply support for AT28C16-15SI 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

Atmel Corporation (now part of Microchip Technology) is a semiconductor innovator known for nonvolatile memory, microcontrollers, and secure authentication ICs-founded in 1984 and headquartered in San Jose, CA.

The AT28C16 product line was designed specifically for seamless integration into 5 V microprocessor systems needing byte-erasable, pin-compatible EEPROM alternatives to EPROM and battery-SRAM-with emphasis on industrial-grade reliability and zero-external-component write timing.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating temperature range for the AT28C16-15SI?

The AT28C16-15SI is rated for industrial temperature operation from –40°C to +85°C, with all electrical specifications-including 150 ns read access time, 1 ms write time, and 100 µA standby current-guaranteed across this full range. This makes the AT28C16-15SI suitable for deployment in harsh environments such as factory floor controllers, outdoor metering equipment, and under-hood automotive modules where ambient thermal stress is significant.

Does the AT28C16-15SI require external high-voltage circuitry for programming?

No, the AT28C16-15SI does not require external high-voltage programming circuitry for standard byte writes-its self-timed architecture uses only 5 V for normal operation. However, Chip Clear (12 V applied to OE) and Device Identification memory access (12 V on A9) do require a controlled 12.0 V ± 0.5 V source, which must be isolated from the main 5 V rail and activated only during specific maintenance or provisioning sequences-not during routine firmware updates.

How is write completion detected on the AT28C16-15SI?

Write completion on the AT28C16-15SI is detected via DATA POLLING on I/O7: during an active byte write, reading the target address returns the complement of the written data on I/O7 (other outputs are indeterminate); when the write finishes, true data appears on all outputs including I/O7. This eliminates fixed delays and allows the host microprocessor to resume operation immediately upon confirmation-reducing average latency versus timeout-based polling methods.

Can the AT28C16-15SI be used as a direct replacement for a 6116 SRAM in an existing design?

Yes, the AT28C16-15SI features JEDEC-approved byte-wide pinout and TTL/CMOS-compatible inputs/outputs, enabling direct substitution for 2K × 8 SRAMs like the 6116 in many cases-provided the system accommodates the 1 ms write cycle (vs instantaneous SRAM write) and implements DATA POLLING or hardware ready signaling. No PCB layout change is needed, but firmware must manage write timing and verify completion before subsequent accesses.

What is the endurance rating and data retention specification of the AT28C16-15SI?

The AT28C16-15SI guarantees 10⁴ write/erase cycles and 10 years of data retention at +85°C ambient temperature. These values are production-tested and specified in the official Atmel datasheet Rev. 0540B–10/98. The device achieves this through Atmel's proprietary nonvolatile CMOS process with internal error correction, making the AT28C16-15SI appropriate for applications where configuration or calibration data must remain intact across extended product lifecycles without battery backup.