Microchip Technology ATA5551M-PP

Overview

ATA5551M-PP from Atmel (now Microchip Technology) is a fully integrated 125 kHz read/write RFID transponder in a plastic cube package, embedding the e5551 IDIC, tuned LC antenna, and 264-bit EEPROM. It supports anti-collision mode (e.g., 10 tags < 500 ms), password-protected write access, and configurable bit rates (RF/8 to RF/128) with Manchester, FSK, PSK, Bi-phase, or BIN modulation - deployed in access control and industrial asset tracking.

For engineers reviewing the ATA5551M-PP datasheet, ATA5551M-PP pinout, ATA5551M-PP application, or ATA5551M-PP equivalent, key selection considerations include its self-contained LC antenna, 125 kHz carrier frequency, 224-bit user-programmable EEPROM (32-bit blocks), lock-bit write protection, and AOR (Answer-On-Request) anti-collision protocol for multi-tag environments.

Technical Context

The ATA5551M-PP implements a closed-coupled RFID system where power and bidirectional data are delivered inductively via a single 125 kHz RF field. Its internal analog frontend demodulates amplitude-modulated signals and generates internal reset on AOR wake-up commands containing a 32-bit password.

Communication relies on gap-based encoding: valid "0" (16–32 field clock cycles) and "1" (48 or 64 cycles) are decoded from RF field interruptions; typical block write+verify time is < 50 ms, with programming endurance rated at 100,000 cycles and 10-year data retention at 25°C.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

ATA5551M-PP is a fully encapsulated plastic cube transponder with no external pins or terminals. The device integrates a ferrite-core coil and tuning capacitor forming a self-resonant LC circuit (L ≈ 3.8 mH, C ≈ 1.5 nF), eliminating need for PCB layout or external antenna components.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar RFID transponder applications.

Compared with EM4102 and TKS4001, the ATA5551M-PP uniquely combines password-secured write capability, AOR anti-collision, and full modulation configurability - making it optimal for dynamic, multi-tag industrial and medical systems requiring field-updatable identity and behavior.

Availability

ATA5551M-PP is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for access control systems, industrial asset management, and medical equipment tracking requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and consistent RF performance across temperature extremes.

Supply support for ATA5551M-PP 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 (formerly Atmel) is a global semiconductor company specializing in microcontrollers, analog devices, and secure identification solutions, with broad industrial and automotive qualification coverage.

The ATA5551M-PP belongs to Atmel's legacy IDIC® transponder family, designed specifically for contactless, battery-free 125 kHz identification in harsh, high-reliability environments such as factory automation and medical instrumentation.

FAQ

What is the operating temperature range of the ATA5551M-PP?

The ATA5551M-PP operates reliably from –40°C to +85°C and can be stored from –40°C to +125°C. Its specified magnetic field strength requirements scale with temperature (e.g., 17 A/m minimum at +85°C), ensuring consistent read/write performance across industrial thermal environments - critical for deployment in manufacturing floors or outdoor access systems where the ATA5551M-PP must remain functional without active cooling.

Does the ATA5551M-PP require an external antenna or matching components?

No. The ATA5551M-PP integrates a ferrite-core coil and tuning capacitor into its plastic package, forming a self-resonant LC circuit optimized for 125 kHz operation. This eliminates the need for external antennas, PCB traces, or impedance-matching networks - enabling direct embedding into plastic housings, key fobs, or medical tool handles without RF design expertise or layout iteration for the ATA5551M-PP.

How does the anti-collision mode work in the ATA5551M-PP?

The ATA5551M-PP implements Answer-On-Request (AOR) anti-collision: transponders remain in sleep mode until a base station sends a wake-up command containing a valid 32-bit password. Only the matching ATA5551M-PP responds, enabling deterministic readout of up to 10 tags in < 500 ms. This avoids signal collisions and eliminates reader-side arbitration complexity - essential for dense tag deployments in warehouse or production line tracking using the ATA5551M-PP.

What modulation schemes does the ATA5551M-PP support, and how are they selected?

The ATA5551M-PP supports Manchester (factory default), BIN, FSK, PSK, and Bi-phase modulation - all selected by writing corresponding values to its EEPROM configuration block. This allows system designers to match the ATA5551M-PP to specific reader ICs (e.g., U2270B) or optimize for noise immunity in electrically noisy factories, making modulation choice a software-configurable feature rather than a hardware constraint of the ATA5551M-PP.

Can the ATA5551M-PP be reprogrammed in the field, and what safeguards exist?

Yes, the ATA5551M-PP supports field reprogramming of its 224-bit user EEPROM in 32-bit blocks, with typical write+verify time < 50 ms. Safeguards include lock bits per block, a dedicated 32-bit password block for write authorization, and hardware-level malprogramming protection that rejects invalid gap-encoded sequences - ensuring robust, secure updates in deployed assets like calibration tools or medical devices using the ATA5551M-PP.