Infineon Technologies CY15E004Q-SXET

Overview

CY15E004Q-SXET from Cypress Semiconductor Corporation is a 4-Kbit (512 × 8) serial SPI F-RAM with automotive-grade temperature range (–40 °C to +85 °C), 20 MHz max clock frequency, and 10¹⁴ read/write endurance. It functions as nonvolatile memory in real-time data logging and control systems where rapid, delay-free writes are required - such as engine control unit (ECU) parameter storage and CAN bus message buffering.

For engineers reviewing the CY15E004Q-SXET datasheet, CY15E004Q-SXET pinout, CY15E004Q-SXET application, or CY15E004Q-SXET equivalent, key selection criteria include write endurance (10¹⁴ cycles), NoDelay™ write capability, SPI mode 0/3 compatibility, automotive-A qualification, and hardware/software write protection via WP pin and Status Register.

Technical Context

The CY15E004Q-SXET implements ferroelectric memory technology enabling true RAM-like write performance without erase cycles or write latency. Its internal architecture includes a 512 × 8-bit F-RAM array, 2-bit Status Register with WEL and BP bits, and dedicated SPI interface logic supporting full-duplex communication at up to 20 MHz.

It operates exclusively in SPI modes 0 (CPOL = 0, CPHA = 0) and 3 (CPOL = 1, CPHA = 1), with all data transfers synchronized to SCK rising/falling edges. The device requires no polling after WRITE commands due to immediate byte-level nonvolatile commit - eliminating firmware overhead typical of EEPROM or flash.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

8-pin Small Outline Integrated Circuit (SOIC) package, RoHS-compliant, surface-mountable with standard reflow profile.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AT25DF041A-SSH-T and BR24G04FJ-WE2, CY15E004Q-SXET delivers 100 million × higher endurance, zero write latency, and automotive-A thermal reliability - making it uniquely suited for safety-critical, high-cycle nonvolatile storage where deterministic timing and longevity are mandatory.

Availability

CY15E004Q-SXET is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for engine control units, telematics modules, ADAS loggers, and industrial CAN gateways requiring stable component supply across extended automotive production lifecycles.

Supply support for CY15E004Q-SXET 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 Corporation, now part of Infineon Technologies, designs high-reliability semiconductor solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT applications with emphasis on memory, PSoC, and connectivity.

CY15E004Q belongs to Cypress's automotive-qualified F-RAM product line, engineered specifically for mission-critical data logging and control applications demanding deterministic write performance and extreme endurance under harsh environmental conditions.

FAQ

Does CY15E004Q-SXET require external high-voltage programming or erase pulses?

No. Unlike EEPROM or flash, CY15E004Q-SXET uses ferroelectric memory cells that switch polarization states at standard VDD (4.5–5.5 V). All writes occur at bus speed with no erase cycle, no programming voltage, and no latency - verified in datasheet Rev. *C Section 8.

What is the impact of the documented errata regarding WEL bit behavior at addresses 0x100–0x1FF?

The Write Enable Latch (WEL) bit remains set after WRITE operations to memory locations 0x100–0x1FF, requiring explicit WRDI instruction before subsequent writes to those addresses. This does not affect read operations or writes outside that range, and is fully mitigated by standard WREN/WRDI sequence handling in driver firmware.

Can CY15E004Q-SXET be used with 3.3 V microcontrollers?

No. CY15E004Q-SXET is specified only for 4.5–5.5 V operation and lacks 3.3 V I/O tolerance. Interfacing with 3.3 V MCUs requires level-shifting circuitry on all SPI lines (CS, SCK, SI, SO, WP, HOLD) per datasheet Absolute Maximum Ratings table.

Is the HOLD pin necessary for reliable operation in interrupt-driven systems?

HOLD is optional but recommended in systems where the host CPU must preempt memory access (e.g., real-time interrupt servicing). When asserted LOW during an active transaction, it suspends SCK/CS sensitivity without corrupting data - confirmed in Pin Definitions section, page 3 of datasheet Rev. *C.