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Microchip Technology AT29C256-15JC
- Part No.:
- AT29C256-15JC
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Category:
- Memory
- Package:
- 32-LCC (J-Lead)
- Datasheet:
-
AT29C256-15JC.pdf
- Description:
- IC FLASH 256KBIT PARALLEL 32PLCC
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:3,809
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Product details
Overview
AT29C256-15JC from Atmel is a 256 Kbit (32K × 8) 5V-only Flash memory IC used for nonvolatile program/data storage in embedded systems, supporting in-system reprogramming without high-voltage programming supplies. It delivers 150 ns read access time, 10 ms page (64-byte) program time, and operates across industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C) in a 32-lead PLCC package.
For engineers reviewing the AT29C256-15JC datasheet, AT29C256-15JC pinout, AT29C256-15JC application, or AT29C256-15JC equivalent, key selection criteria include its 5V-only operation, software/hardware data protection, DATA polling and toggle-bit end-of-write detection, and compatibility with standard SRAM-like bus interfaces in legacy microcontroller designs.
Technical Context
The AT29C256-15JC implements a page-programmable Flash architecture where 64-byte pages are loaded via byte-load cycles before internal erase-and-program execution. Its control logic responds to CE/OE/WE timing sequences identical to SRAM, enabling drop-in replacement in existing address/data bus systems without protocol translation.
Hardware protection includes VCC sense (<3.8 V inhibits programming), 5 ms power-on delay, and noise filtering on WE/CE inputs; software protection uses three-byte command sequences (e.g., AAh/55h/A0h) to enable/disable write operations, preserving data integrity during power transitions.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Memory Size | 256 Kbit (32,768 × 8), sufficient for firmware boot code or configuration tables in 8-bit microcontroller systems |
| Read Access Time | 150 ns max - defines minimum CPU wait-state requirement for zero-wait-state operation at ≤6.7 MHz bus frequency |
| Page Program Time | 10 ms typical - determines minimum time budget per 64-byte firmware update segment in field-upgrade routines |
| VCC Supply | 5 V ±10% - eliminates need for dedicated programming voltage regulators; compatible with legacy 5V logic rails |
| Standby Current | 300 µA CMOS - enables low-power retention mode in battery-backed systems without external power gating |
| Endurance | >10,000 write/erase cycles - supports infrequent field updates over 10+ year product lifetimes in industrial controllers |
| Operating Temp | –40°C to +85°C - qualified for deployment in industrial automation, automotive body electronics, and outdoor metering |
Pinout & Package
AT29C256-15JC is housed in a 32-lead Plastic J-Leaded Chip Carrier (PLCC) package per JEDEC MS-016, Variation AE. Pins 1 and 17 are No Connect (NC). Pin 1 identifier is a corner chamfer.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| A0–A14 | Address Inputs | 15-bit address bus supporting full 32K-word addressing; A0–A5 select byte within 64-byte page during programming |
| CE | Chip Enable | Active-low chip select; must be low for read, program, or erase; high disables outputs and enters standby |
| OE | Output Enable | Active-low output control; used with CE to manage bus contention; must be high during programming |
| WE | Write Enable | Active-low write strobe; controls byte loading and initiates internal program/erase timers when CE is also low |
| I/O0–I/O7 | Bidirectional Data Bus | 8-bit data path for reads, byte loads, and status polling (I/O7 = DATA polling bit; I/O6 = toggle bit) |
| VCC | Power Supply | +5 V ±10% main supply; powers core logic and I/O buffers; internally regulated for programming |
| GND | Ground | Reference return for all signals and power; requires low-inductance connection to minimize noise during programming |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| 5V-only reprogramming | Eliminates need for 12V programming supplies or charge pumps - simplifies PCB design and reduces BOM cost in 5V systems |
| Internal page latches | 64-byte data and address latching frees system bus during 10 ms internal program cycle - enables concurrent background processing |
| DATA polling & toggle bit | Dual hardware-supported write completion detection (I/O7 complement / I/O6 toggling) - removes need for fixed delays or external timers |
| Software data protection | User-configurable three-byte unlock sequence prevents accidental writes - critical for field-upgradable devices with shared firmware partitions |
| Hardware VCC sensing | Automatic program inhibition below 3.8 V - ensures reliable write abort during brown-out conditions without firmware intervention |
Applications
| Industrial PLC Firmware Storage | Legacy Microcontroller Boot Memory |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Storing ladder logic firmware and I/O configuration in programmable logic controllers deployed in factory environments. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Nonvolatile boot memory mapped into microcontroller address space; accessed as SRAM during startup and runtime. Use Value: 150 ns access enables direct execution from flash without caching; industrial temp rating ensures reliability in uncontrolled cabinet temperatures. |
Use Scenario: Providing boot code and parameter storage for 8051- or Z80-based embedded controllers in medical instruments and test equipment. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Drop-in SRAM-compatible Flash replacing obsolete EPROMs; supports in-circuit firmware updates via serial port or USB bootloader. Use Value: 5V-only operation avoids redesign of legacy 5V power domains; software protection prevents corruption during power-loss during updates. |
| Automotive Body Control Module | Point-of-Sale Terminal Configuration |
Use Scenario: Holding calibration data, feature-enable flags, and diagnostic logs in automotive BCMs operating under wide ambient temperature swings. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Parameter storage device interfaced to 8-bit MCU via parallel bus; programmed once at assembly and updated infrequently in service. Use Value: >10,000 endurance cycles support lifetime recalibration; hardware VCC sensing prevents partial writes during vehicle battery transients. |
Use Scenario: Storing localized language packs, tax tables, and merchant-specific settings in retail POS terminals requiring field customization. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Field-upgradable configuration memory accessed by ARM7 or similar host processor during initialization and maintenance mode. Use Value: Page programming allows efficient partial updates of localized assets; DATA polling enables deterministic update timing without OS-level timer dependencies. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar Flash memory applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT29C256-15JI | Same die and timing, but in industrial-grade PLCC (32J) with extended –40°C to +85°C operation | Identical pinout and interface; differs only in temperature qualification and screening | Select AT29C256-15JI for new designs requiring guaranteed industrial temp performance; AT29C256-15JC is commercial-temp variant |
| MX29LV256ETTI-90G | 3.3V core with 5V-tolerant I/O; 90 ns access; 100,000 endurance cycles; no hardware VCC sense | Requires level-shifting or mixed-voltage design; lacks built-in brown-out write inhibit | Choose MX29LV256ETTI-90G only if migrating to 3.3V systems; AT29C256-15JC remains optimal for pure 5V legacy platforms |
Compared with AT29C256-15JI, the AT29C256-15JC shares identical functionality but is rated for 0°C to +70°C operation - making it suitable for cost-sensitive commercial applications where extended temperature is unnecessary. Versus MX29LV256ETTI-90G, it retains full 5V compatibility and integrated power-fail safety, avoiding redesign effort in established 5V architectures.
Availability
AT29C256-15JC is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial control, legacy embedded systems, and automotive body electronics requiring stable component supply and long-term obsolescence management.
Supply support for AT29C256-15JC 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, Flash memory, and secure authentication devices.
The AT29C256 series was designed as a 5V-only Flash memory solution for seamless SRAM replacement in legacy 8-bit and 16-bit embedded systems, emphasizing in-system programmability and robust data retention.
FAQ
What is the maximum read access time specified for the AT29C256-15JC?
The AT29C256-15JC has a maximum read access time of 150 ns, as indicated by the "-15" suffix in its part number. This value is guaranteed across the commercial temperature range (0°C to +70°C) and defines the worst-case delay from address valid to valid data on I/O0–I/O7 when CE and OE are asserted. The AT29C256-15JC meets this specification under VCC = 5 V ±10% conditions.
Does the AT29C256-15JC require high-voltage programming signals?
No, the AT29C256-15JC does not require high-voltage programming signals. It is a 5V-only Flash device: all programming and erasure operations are executed using standard 5V logic levels on CE, OE, and WE pins. Internal circuitry generates necessary high voltages, eliminating external VPP supplies - a key feature confirmed in the AT29C256-15JC datasheet's "5-volt Only Reprogramming" section.
How is write completion detected on the AT29C256-15JC?
Write completion on the AT29C256-15JC is detected using two hardware methods: DATA polling (monitoring I/O7 for complement-to-data transition) and the toggle bit (observing I/O6 toggling state). Both methods are active during the 10 ms internal program cycle and require no external timing components. The AT29C256-15JC supports either method independently, as documented in its AC and DC characteristics tables.
What package type is used for the AT29C256-15JC?
The AT29C256-15JC uses a 32-lead Plastic J-Leaded Chip Carrier (PLCC) package, designated as "32J" in Atmel's ordering information. This surface-mount package features gull-wing leads, a corner pin-1 identifier, and conforms to JEDEC MS-016, Variation AE. Pins 1 and 17 are No Connect (NC), as explicitly stated in the AT29C256-15JC pin configuration diagrams.
Is software data protection enabled by default on the AT29C256-15JC?
No, software data protection is disabled by default on the AT29C256-15JC when shipped from the factory. It can be enabled via a specific three-byte unlock sequence (AAh to 5555h, 55h to 2AAAh, A0h to 5555h). Once enabled, all subsequent programming requires repeating this sequence. The AT29C256-15JC retains its protection state across power cycles unless explicitly disabled using the corresponding disable algorithm.
AT29C256-15JC Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 32-LCC (J-Lead)
- Packaging:
- Tube
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Programmable:
- Not Verified
- Memory Type:
- Non-Volatile
- Memory Format:
- FLASH
- Technology:
- FLASH
- Memory Size:
- 256Kbit
- Memory Organization:
- 32K x 8
- Memory Interface:
- Parallel
- Clock Frequency:
- -
- Write Cycle Time - Word, Page:
- 10ms
- Access Time:
- 150 ns
- Voltage - Supply:
- 4.5V ~ 5.5V
- Operating Temperature:
- 0°C ~ 70°C (TC)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 32-PLCC (13.97x11.43)
AT29C256-15JC FAQ
1.How can I place an order for AT29C256-15JC through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for AT29C256-15JC on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for AT29C256-15JC reliable?
The price and inventory of AT29C256-15JC are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for AT29C256-15JC is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for AT29C256-15JC?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for AT29C256-15JC transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for AT29C256-15JC?
AT29C256-15JC orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your AT29C256-15JC order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for AT29C256-15JC?
For technical support, including AT29C256-15JC datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your AT29C256-15JC requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that AT29C256-15JC is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All AT29C256-15JC products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that AT29C256-15JC meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of AT29C256-15JC?
All AT29C256-15JC units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with AT29C256-15JC, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The AT29C256-15JC part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for AT29C256-15JC:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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