Infineon Technologies CY15E016Q-SXA

Overview

CY15E016Q-SXA from Cypress Semiconductor is a 16-Kbit (2K × 8) serial SPI F-RAM nonvolatile memory IC for automotive-A applications, featuring 10¹⁴ read/write endurance, 151-year data retention, 20 MHz SPI interface, and operation from –40 °C to +85 °C in an 8-pin SOIC package. It serves as a hardware-compatible replacement for serial EEPROM/flash in real-time data logging systems requiring zero-write-delay writes.

For engineers reviewing the CY15E016Q-SXA datasheet, CY15E016Q-SXA pinout, CY15E016Q-SXA application, or CY15E016Q-SXA equivalent, key selection criteria include SPI mode 0/3 compatibility, WP/HOLD pin behavior, 4.5–5.5 V supply range, write-protection granularity (1/4, 1/2, full array), and automotive-grade thermal reliability without polling overhead.

Technical Context

The CY15E016Q-SXA implements ferroelectric memory cell architecture enabling true RAM-like write performance with nonvolatile retention. Its instruction decoder supports standard SPI opcodes (WREN, WRDI, RDSR, WRSR, READ, WRITE) and integrates a 3-bit nonvolatile status register controlling block protection and write-enable latch state.

It operates exclusively as an SPI slave with no internal clock generation-timing is fully master-controlled. The device supports dual SPI modes (0 and 3) with rising-edge input sampling and falling-edge output driving, and uses dedicated SI/SO pins (not shared bus) unless externally wired for 3-wire operation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

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

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with FM25V01-G and AT25DF041A-SH-B, CY15E016Q-SXA uniquely delivers 5 V compatibility, zero-write-delay operation, and 10¹⁴ endurance in automotive-A grade-making it irreplaceable for legacy 5 V systems demanding ultra-high write reliability.

Availability

CY15E016Q-SXA is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for telematics event loggers, engine control unit calibration storage, and ADAS camera module configuration requiring stable component supply across extended automotive production lifecycles.

Supply support for CY15E016Q-SXA 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 markets, with global manufacturing and AEC-Q100 qualification infrastructure.

CY15E016Q belongs to Cypress's automotive F-RAM product line, engineered specifically to replace serial EEPROM/flash in safety-critical, high-write-frequency automotive subsystems where data integrity and deterministic timing are mandatory.

FAQ

Does CY15E016Q-SXA require external pull-up resistors on SI, SO, or HOLD pins?

No external pull-ups are required on SI or SO-the device drives SO actively during reads and tristates it otherwise. HOLD and WP are active-low inputs with internal weak pull-ups; however, Cypress specifies they must be tied to VDD if unused to prevent floating states that could trigger unintended hold or write protection. This is explicitly stated in the Pin Definitions section of the datasheet.

Can CY15E016Q-SXA operate with a 3.3 V microcontroller SPI interface?

No-CY15E016Q-SXA is specified only for 4.5–5.5 V VDD operation and has TTL-compatible input thresholds referenced to VDD. Driving CS, SCK, SI, WP, or HOLD from a 3.3 V MCU violates the absolute maximum input voltage rating and risks unreliable operation or damage. A level-shifter or 5 V-tolerant MCU GPIO is mandatory.

What happens if the HOLD pin is asserted during a write operation?

When HOLD is pulled low during any memory operation-including WRITE-the device immediately suspends the transaction, ignores further SCK edges and CS transitions, and holds SO in its current state (tristated if not actively driving). Upon returning HOLD to high while SCK is low, the operation resumes from the exact bit position where it paused-no data loss or corruption occurs.

Is the 151-year data retention specification validated at 85 °C or room temperature?

The 151-year retention is extrapolated from accelerated testing at 125 °C and 85 °C per JEDEC JESD22-A117, and applies across the full automotive-A operating range (–40 °C to +85 °C). The datasheet's Data Retention and Endurance table confirms retention exceeds 151 years at 85 °C and significantly longer at lower temperatures-no derating is needed for cabin or chassis-mounted applications.