Infineon Technologies CY15B104QN-20LPXC

Overview

CY15B104QN-20LPXC from Infineon is a 4-Mb serial ferroelectric RAM (F-RAM) organized as 512K × 8, operating over SPI at up to 50 MHz with 1.8 V–3.6 V supply, 10¹⁵ write endurance, and 151-year data retention. It serves as nonvolatile memory in real-time data logging systems where rapid, reliable byte-level writes eliminate flash/EEPROM latency and wear-out.

For engineers reviewing the CY15B104QN-20LPXC datasheet, CY15B104QN-20LPXC pinout, CY15B104QN-20LPXC application, or CY15B104QN-20LPXC equivalent, this device delivers instant nonvolatile write capability, hardware/software write protection, dedicated 256-byte reflow-survivable sector, and industrial temperature support (–40°C to +85°C) for high-integrity embedded storage.

Technical Context

The CY15B104QN-20LPXC implements an SPI slave interface compliant with modes 0 and 3, supporting full-duplex communication with SI/SO pins and chip-select–driven activation. Its internal architecture integrates a 512K × 8 F-RAM array, a 256-byte special sector, nonvolatile status register, Device ID/Unique ID registers, and serial number registers - all accessible via standardized opcodes without polling.

Write operations complete at bus speed: each byte is committed immediately upon successful SPI transfer, eliminating write delays and enabling deterministic timing-critical applications. The device uses ferroelectric dielectric technology to achieve 10¹⁵ read/write cycles and retains data for 151 years at 85°C without backup power or refresh circuitry.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 8-pin SOIC (Small Outline Integrated Circuit), RoHS-compliant, surface-mount, standard footprint compatible with automated assembly.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with CY15B104QN-20LAXC and FM25V04-G, the CY15B104QN-20LPXC offers broader voltage compatibility, SOIC packaging for robust thermal performance, and unique features - including the 256-byte reflow-hardened sector and writable serial number - essential for production traceability and field-upgrade resilience.

Availability

CY15B104QN-20LPXC is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial data loggers, smart energy meters, and PLC I/O modules requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and RoHS-compliant sourcing.

Supply support for CY15B104QN-20LPXC 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 German semiconductor manufacturer specializing in power management, automotive ICs, and nonvolatile memory solutions, with global R&D and manufacturing infrastructure.

The EXCELON™ LP F-RAM product line targets high-reliability, low-power embedded systems needing frequent, deterministic nonvolatile writes - especially where flash/EEPROM wear-out, latency, or power constraints limit performance.

FAQ

Is CY15B104QN-20LPXC pin-compatible with standard SPI EEPROMs or flash devices?

Yes - it uses the industry-standard 8-pin SOIC package and SPI command set (including Read, Write, WREN, WRDI, RDSR), enabling drop-in replacement for many 4-Mb serial EEPROMs and flash memories. However, its instant-write behavior eliminates the need for status polling, and its WP pin functionality differs from typical EEPROM hardware write-protect schemes.

Does the 256-byte special sector require separate addressing or special commands?

Yes - it is accessed using dedicated opcodes (0x41 for read, 0x42 for write) and resides at fixed address 0x7F000–0x7F0FF. Unlike main array access, special sector reads/writes do not require Write Enable (WREN) first, and the sector survives up to three JEDEC J-STD-020D reflow cycles without data loss.

What is the functional difference between WP pin behavior and software write protection?

The WP pin exclusively protects the Status Register when WPEN=1 - preventing modification of block-protection bits. Software protection (via WRDI and BP bits) controls write access to memory sectors. Both layers operate independently: WP failure cannot override BP settings, and BP settings cannot disable WP enforcement on the status register.

Can CY15B104QN-20LPXC operate reliably at 1.8 V while sustaining 50 MHz SPI throughput?

Yes - datasheet Section 6 specifies full 50 MHz operation across the entire 1.8 V–3.6 V VDD range. At 1.8 V, t_CLK min = 20 ns (50 MHz) is met, and DC/AC characteristics including setup/hold times and output drive strength remain within spec per Tables 7 and 12.