Microchip Technology AT93C56-10SI-2.7

Overview

AT93C56-10SI-2.7 from Microchip Technology (formerly Atmel) is a 2-kbit serial EEPROM with three-wire interface, user-selectable 256 × 8 or 128 × 16 organization via ORG pin, 2.7V–5.5V supply range, and automotive-grade temperature support (−40°C to +85°C). It delivers 1 million write cycles and 100-year data retention in an 8-lead JEDEC SOIC package, used for configuration storage in industrial controllers and embedded sensor modules.

For engineers reviewing the AT93C56-10SI-2.7 datasheet, AT93C56-10SI-2.7 pinout, AT93C56-10SI-2.7 application, or AT93C56-10SI-2.7 equivalent, key selection considerations include voltage compatibility (2.7V min), self-timed 10 ms write cycle, standby current of 6 µA at 2.7V, ORG-pin-configurable memory width, and industrial temperature qualification.

Technical Context

The AT93C56-10SI-2.7 implements a synchronous three-wire serial interface (CS, SK, DI/DO) with start-bit–driven instruction decoding. Its architecture supports seven instructions-READ, EWEN, ERASE, WRITE, ERAL, WRAL, and EWDS-with address lengths of 9 bits (x8) or 8 bits (x16), and includes internal logic to enforce Erase/Write Enable state before programming.

Operation relies on external host timing control: CS enables device access, SK clocks data and addresses, and DO outputs status (Ready/Busy) during write cycles when CS is raised after tCS ≥ 250 ns. The ORG pin selects internal organization statically, and DC pin must remain unconnected per design.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AT93C56-10SI-2.7 is housed in an 8-lead JEDEC SOIC (8S1) package: 4.80–5.00 mm width, 5.79–6.20 mm length, 1.27 mm lead pitch, gull-wing leads, RoHS-compliant matte tin plating.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with M95256-WMN6TP and 25AA256-I/P, the AT93C56-10SI-2.7 offers unique three-wire simplicity and ORG-pin configurability at 2 Kbit density, making it optimal for cost-sensitive, pin-constrained industrial designs where 2.7V operation and JEDEC SOIC compatibility are mandatory.

Availability

AT93C56-10SI-2.7 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLCs, automotive BCMs, medical infusion pumps, and smart energy meters requiring stable component supply, long-term obsolescence management, and automotive-qualified EEPROMs.

Supply support for AT93C56-10SI-2.7 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 is a global semiconductor company specializing in microcontrollers, analog devices, and memory solutions, with a focus on embedded control and connectivity.

The AT93C56-10SI-2.7 belongs to Microchip's legacy serial EEPROM product line, designed for reliable, low-pin-count nonvolatile storage in industrial, automotive, and medical applications where simplicity, voltage flexibility, and long-term data integrity are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum clock frequency supported by the AT93C56-10SI-2.7?

The AT93C56-10SI-2.7 supports a maximum SK clock frequency of 2 MHz at VCC = 5.0V. At 2.7V–5.5V operation, the AC specification guarantees 1 MHz minimum; performance degrades below 1 MHz at lower voltages. This timing allows efficient configuration reads while maintaining robust noise margins in electrically noisy industrial environments. The AT93C56-10SI-2.7 does not require external clock conditioning circuitry.

How does the ORG pin affect memory organization in the AT93C56-10SI-2.7?

The ORG pin on the AT93C56-10SI-2.7 selects between two internal memory configurations: tied to VCC enables 128 × 16 (16-bit words), and tied to GND enables 256 × 8 (8-bit words). If left floating, the internal 1 MΩ pull-up defaults to x16 mode. This hardware-selectable organization eliminates firmware dependency on data width and allows one PCB layout to support multiple software architectures. The AT93C56-10SI-2.7 requires no additional configuration registers to switch modes.

Is the AT93C56-10SI-2.7 suitable for automotive applications?

Yes, the AT93C56-10SI-2.7 is qualified for automotive use with an industrial temperature range of −40°C to +85°C and lead-free/halogen-free packaging. It meets AEC-Q200 stress test requirements for temperature cycling, humidity bias, and mechanical shock. Its 1 million write cycles and 100-year data retention ensure reliability across vehicle lifetimes. The AT93C56-10SI-2.7 is commonly deployed in body control modules and instrument clusters where EEPROM persistence is required across battery disconnects.

What is the write endurance and data retention specification for the AT93C56-10SI-2.7?

The AT93C56-10SI-2.7 guarantees 1 million write/erase cycles and 100 years of data retention at +25°C ambient, with derated retention at elevated temperatures (e.g., 50 years at +85°C per JEDEC standards). These specifications are production-tested and apply across the full 2.7V–5.5V supply and −40°C to +85°C operating range. The AT93C56-10SI-2.7 achieves this via floating-gate oxide process optimization and on-chip charge-pump regulation during write operations.

Does the AT93C56-10SI-2.7 require an external erase command before writing?

No, the AT93C56-10SI-2.7 performs automatic erase during each WRITE instruction - no separate ERASE command is needed prior to programming. The self-timed write cycle (≤10 ms) internally handles both erase and program phases. However, the device must first enter the Erase/Write Enable state via an EWEN instruction; subsequent WRITE commands execute immediately without pre-erase overhead. This behavior is intrinsic to the AT93C56-10SI-2.7 architecture and reduces host software complexity.