Infineon Technologies CY15B016Q-SXAT

Overview

CY15B016Q-SXAT from Cypress Semiconductor is a 16-Kbit (2K × 8) serial SPI F-RAM nonvolatile memory with automotive-grade qualification (–40 °C to +85 °C), 20 MHz max SPI clock, NoDelay™ write capability, and 10¹⁴ read/write endurance. It serves as a hardware-compatible replacement for serial EEPROM/flash in data-logging and real-time control systems requiring rapid, reliable nonvolatile writes.

For engineers reviewing the CY15B016Q-SXAT datasheet, CY15B016Q-SXAT pinout, CY15B016Q-SXAT application, or CY15B016Q-SXAT equivalent, key selection criteria include SPI mode 0/3 compatibility, WP/HOLD pin behavior, 2.7–3.6 V supply range, 3 µA standby current, and guaranteed automotive-A temperature operation without write polling.

Technical Context

The CY15B016Q-SXAT implements a ferroelectric memory array with zero-latency write architecture: each byte is committed immediately upon SPI transfer completion, eliminating status polling and enabling deterministic bus-speed writes. Its internal instruction decoder and status register support configurable write protection (hardware WP pin, software WREN/WRDI, and block-level protection).

As an SPI slave device, it operates synchronously at up to 20 MHz with inputs latched on SCK rising edge and outputs driven on falling edge. It supports both SPI Mode 0 (CPOL=0, CPHA=0) and Mode 3 (CPOL=1, CPHA=1), ensuring interoperability with diverse microcontroller SPI peripherals without protocol translation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

8-pin Small Outline Integrated Circuit (SOIC) package with gull-wing leads, RoHS-compliant, JEDEC MS-012AC footprint.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with FM25V01A-G and AT25DF021A-SSH-T, CY15B016Q-SXAT uniquely delivers 20 MHz bus-speed writes, 2.7 V operation, and 10¹⁴ endurance - making it optimal for deterministic, high-cycle, low-voltage automotive and industrial logging where reliability and timing predictability are critical.

Availability

CY15B016Q-SXAT is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive telematics, industrial PLCs, and medical event recorders requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and AEC-Q100-aligned reliability.

Supply support for CY15B016Q-SXAT 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

Cypress Semiconductor (now part of Infineon Technologies) designs high-reliability semiconductor solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT applications, with emphasis on embedded memory and connectivity.

CY15B016Q belongs to Cypress's automotive-qualified F-RAM product line, engineered specifically to replace serial EEPROM/flash in mission-critical data-logging systems demanding zero-write-latency and extreme endurance.

FAQ

Is CY15B016Q-SXAT pin-compatible with standard 8-pin SOIC serial EEPROMs?

Yes - it uses identical 8-pin SOIC (MS-012AC) packaging and matches the industry-standard SPI pinout (CS, SCK, SI, SO, WP, HOLD, VSS, VDD). No PCB redesign is needed for drop-in replacement of devices like AT25xxx or CAT25xxx series, provided HOLD and WP pins are properly terminated per application requirements.

Does CY15B016Q-SXAT require external circuitry for write protection?

No - it integrates three-tier write protection: hardware (WP pin), software (WREN/WRDI instructions), and configurable block protection (1/4, 1/2, or full array via Status Register). WP must be tied to VDD if unused; no pull-up/down resistors or external logic are required for basic protection.

Can CY15B016Q-SXAT operate reliably at 2.7 V while sustaining 20 MHz SPI transfers?

Yes - its DC and AC specifications are fully characterized across 2.7–3.6 V and –40 °C to +85 °C. The 20 MHz maximum clock rate is guaranteed at VDD = 2.7 V, with t_CLK ≥ 50 ns and setup/hold times met per datasheet Table 13 (AC Switching Characteristics).

How does the HOLD pin behave during an active write operation?

When HOLD is asserted LOW during a write, the device suspends the current transaction immediately - no bytes are lost or corrupted. SCK and CS are ignored until HOLD returns HIGH, then the operation resumes from the exact point of suspension. This enables deterministic interruption for higher-priority CPU tasks without firmware intervention.