Microchip Technology AT28C16E-15JC

Overview

AT28C16E-15JC from Atmel is a 16 Kbit (2,048 × 8) parallel EEPROM with JEDEC-standard byte-wide pinout, 150 ns read access time, 200 µs fast byte write cycle, and CMOS/TTL-compatible I/O. It operates at 5V ±10%, supports commercial temperature range (0°C to 70°C), and is used in microcontroller-based firmware storage and configuration memory applications.

For engineers reviewing the AT28C16E-15JC datasheet, AT28C16E-15JC pinout, AT28C16E-15JC application, or AT28C16E-15JC equivalent, key selection criteria include verified 100,000-cycle endurance, self-timed write with DATA POLLING on I/O7, JEDEC-compliant PLCC-32 package compatibility, and VCC-sense write protection.

Technical Context

The AT28C16E-15JC implements a self-timed byte write architecture with internal address/data latches and an automatic clear-before-write sequence. Its DATA POLLING mechanism uses I/O7 complement detection to signal write completion without external timing components.

It functions as a drop-in SRAM-compatible memory during reads and writes, requiring no external control logic. The device features dual-line chip enable (CE) and output enable (OE) for bus contention avoidance and supports chip erase via 12 V on OE with WE pulse.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AT28C16E-15JC is packaged in a 32-lead Plastic J-Leaded Chip Carrier (PLCC-32), JEDEC MS-018 AA compliant, with pin 1 identified by corner notch. Pins 1 and 17 are designated "Don't Connect" per official pinout.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AT28C256-15JC and ST M28C256B-15J, the AT28C16E-15JC delivers optimal balance of proven 100K-cycle endurance, fast 200 µs writes, and compact 16 Kbit density in a widely supported PLCC-32 footprint-ideal for cost-sensitive, update-intensive embedded designs.

Availability

AT28C16E-15JC is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLCs, medical device bootloaders, and point-of-sale terminal firmware storage requiring stable component supply, long-lifecycle support, and JEDEC-compatible footprint continuity.

Supply support for AT28C16E-15JC 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 manufacturer specializing in microcontrollers, nonvolatile memory, and secure authentication ICs.

The AT28C16E-15JC belongs to Atmel's parallel EEPROM product line, designed specifically for reliable, SRAM-compatible nonvolatile storage in legacy 5 V embedded systems requiring field-updatable configuration and firmware data.

FAQ

What is the maximum write endurance specification for the AT28C16E-15JC?

The AT28C16E-15JC is rated for 100,000 write/erase cycles-ten times higher than the base AT28C16 variant. This endurance level is validated under standard operating conditions (0°C to 70°C, VCC = 5V ±10%) and supports daily field updates over a decade-long product lifecycle. The AT28C16E-15JC achieves this via enhanced oxide quality and internal error correction mechanisms documented in Atmel's reliability reports.

Does the AT28C16E-15JC require external timing components for byte write operations?

No-the AT28C16E-15JC performs fully self-timed byte writes using an internal control timer. Once WE is pulsed low with valid address and data present, the device internally latches both, clears the target location, and executes the write autonomously within 200 µs. No external clock, delay circuit, or timing IC is required, simplifying system design and reducing BOM count for the AT28C16E-15JC.

How is write completion detected for the AT28C16E-15JC?

Write completion is detected via DATA POLLING on I/O7: during an active write, reading the addressed location returns the complement of the written data on I/O7 (other I/O lines are indeterminate); once the write finishes, true data appears on all outputs including I/O7. This allows deterministic software polling without fixed delays-critical for real-time responsiveness in the AT28C16E-15JC implementation.

What is the purpose of the 32-byte device identification area in the AT28C16E-15JC?

The AT28C16E-15JC includes 32 bytes of additional EEPROM accessible at addresses 7E0H–7FFH when A9 is raised to 12.0 V ± 0.5 V. This area is reserved for user-defined data such as serial numbers, calibration offsets, manufacturing dates, or security keys-separate from main memory to avoid accidental overwrite. It is electrically identical to main array and supports full 100K-cycle endurance like the AT28C16E-15JC's primary memory.

Is the AT28C16E-15JC compatible with standard 27C256 or 28C256 sockets?

The AT28C16E-15JC uses a 32-pin PLCC package with JEDEC MS-018 AA outline and byte-wide pinout, matching physical dimensions and lead pitch of 27C256/28C256 PLCC variants-but it is not functionally compatible due to smaller memory size (16 Kbit vs. 32 Kbit) and different address range (A0–A10 only). While footprint-compatible, system-level validation is required for substitution; the AT28C16E-15JC cannot replace 28C256 without address decoding changes.