Infineon Technologies CY14E512Q1A-SXI

Overview

CY14E512Q1A-SXI from Infineon Technologies (formerly Cypress) is a 512-Kbit (64K × 8) SPI nonvolatile SRAM with QuantumTrap technology, designed for high-reliability data retention in power-loss-critical systems. It operates at 4.5–5.5 V, supports 40-MHz SPI read/write with zero cycle delay, and enables software-initiated STORE/RECALL without AutoStore or VCAP support - used in industrial controllers requiring deterministic nonvolatile memory backup.

For engineers reviewing the CY14E512Q1A-SXI datasheet, CY14E512Q1A-SXI pinout, CY14E512Q1A-SXI application, or CY14E512Q1A-SXI equivalent, key selection criteria include absence of AutoStore capability, 8-pin SOIC package, hardware write protection via WP pin, and compatibility with SPI modes 0 and 3 in 5 V systems.

Technical Context

This nvSRAM integrates SRAM and QuantumTrap nonvolatile storage per cell, enabling infinite SRAM read/write cycles and 1 million STORE endurance. Unlike CY14E512Q2A/Q3A, the Q1A variant omits both AutoStore circuitry and VCAP pin - eliminating capacitor-based power-loss STORE but retaining full software STORE/RECALL via SPI instructions.

It uses standard SPI opcodes for memory access plus four dedicated nvSRAM instructions: STORE, RECALL, ASENB, and ASDISB. The device reports busy status during STORE/RECALL via Status Register RDY bit only - no HSB pin, as confirmed by its 8-pin SOIC footprint and datasheet Table 1 configuration matrix.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 8-pin Small Outline Integrated Circuit (SOIC), RoHS-compliant, surface-mount, 150 mil width.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with CY14E512Q2A-SXI, the Q1A offers simpler power design (no VCAP) but requires explicit software STORE calls; versus FM25V512-G, it provides 5 V operation and hardware write protection but trades off F-RAM's unlimited endurance for QuantumTrap's 1M STORE limit and 20-year retention guarantee.

Availability

CY14E512Q1A-SXI is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLC data logging, medical event buffering, and automotive body control modules requiring stable component supply and long-term obsolescence support.

Supply support for CY14E512Q1A-SXI 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

Infineon Technologies is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Munich, Germany, specializing in power management, automotive, industrial, and security solutions.

This part belongs to the Cypress nvSRAM product line, engineered for applications demanding deterministic, capacitor-free nonvolatile memory backup in 5 V industrial environments.

FAQ

Does CY14E512Q1A-SXI support AutoStore?

No. The Q1A variant explicitly omits AutoStore functionality and the VCAP pin. STORE operations must be initiated exclusively via SPI software instruction (STORE opcode) or hardware STORE using an external signal - though HSB is not present, so busy status must be polled via the Status Register RDY bit.

What is the function of the HOLD pin?

The HOLD pin suspends ongoing SPI communication without resetting the internal state machine. When pulled low during a transaction, it pauses clock sampling and data shifting, allowing the host MCU to service higher-priority interrupts and resume the exact same SPI sequence afterward - preserving address and instruction context.

Can CY14E512Q1A-SXI operate at 104 MHz SPI speed?

No. Only FAST_READ instruction supports up to 104 MHz, and CY14E512Q1A-SXI does not implement FAST_READ per datasheet Section 7.3. Its maximum SPI clock rate is 40 MHz for all instructions including READ, WRITE, STORE, and RECALL - with zero-cycle-delay timing at that rate.

Is the WP pin active-high or active-low?

The WP pin is active-low: when WP = LOW, write and STORE operations are enabled; when WP = HIGH, all write-related functions (including software STORE and status register modification) are disabled. This matches standard SPI memory protection behavior and allows direct connection to MCU GPIO or fixed logic level for permanent lock.