Infineon Technologies CY15E016Q-SXET

Overview

CY15E016Q-SXET from Infineon Technologies (formerly Cypress) is a 16-Kbit (2K × 8) automotive-grade serial F-RAM with SPI interface, operating at up to 16 MHz, supporting SPI modes 0 and 3, and rated for –40 °C to +125 °C. It delivers NoDelay™ writes, 10¹³ read/write endurance, and 121-year data retention-enabling robust nonvolatile logging in engine control units and ADAS sensor nodes.

For engineers reviewing the CY15E016Q-SXET datasheet, CY15E016Q-SXET pinout, CY15E016Q-SXET application, or CY15E016Q-SXET equivalent, key selection criteria include write-speed-critical data buffering, AEC-Q100 Grade 1 compliance, SPI drop-in replacement capability for EEPROM/flash, and hardware write protection via WP/HOLD pins.

Technical Context

The CY15E016Q-SXET implements a ferroelectric memory array with zero-latency write architecture-eliminating polling and enabling immediate bus turnaround after each byte transfer. Its on-die instruction decoder and status register support software- and hardware-based write protection schemes including block-level (1/4, 1/2, full array) and WP-pin-activated lock.

As an SPI slave device, it synchronizes all I/O to SCK rising/falling edges per mode 0/3 timing, accepts 11-bit addresses (with upper 5 bits ignored), and requires CS falling edge initiation for every opcode. No internal power management circuitry exists beyond POR-VDD must remain within 4.5–5.5 V for guaranteed operation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

8-pin small outline integrated circuit (SOIC) package, RoHS-compliant, surface-mount, 150 mil body width.

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-SSH-T, CY15E016Q-SXET uniquely combines AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualification, 5 V operation, dual SPI mode support, and true zero-delay writes-making it the sole choice for safety-critical automotive data logging where deterministic timing and long-term reliability are mandatory.

Availability

CY15E016Q-SXET is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for engine control units, ADAS domain controllers, and electric powertrain inverters requiring stable component supply across extended automotive product lifecycles.

Supply support for CY15E016Q-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

Infineon Technologies is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Munich, Germany, delivering power systems, sensors, and microcontrollers for automotive, industrial, and IoT applications.

CY15E016Q-SXET belongs to Infineon's automotive F-RAM product line, engineered specifically to replace EEPROM and serial flash in mission-critical automotive subsystems where write speed, endurance, and temperature resilience are non-negotiable.

FAQ

Is CY15E016Q-SXET pin-compatible with standard 8-pin SOIC SPI EEPROMs?

Yes-CY15E016Q-SXET uses identical 8-pin SOIC packaging and matches the pinout of industry-standard 16-Kbit SPI EEPROMs (e.g., AT25010B, M95010). CS, SCK, SI, SO, WP, HOLD, VSS, and VDD align functionally and physically, enabling direct PCB-level replacement without layout changes.

Does CY15E016Q-SXET require special initialization or firmware drivers?

No-CY15E016Q-SXET operates using standard SPI opcodes (0x02 write, 0x03 read, 0x06 WREN, etc.) and requires no custom initialization sequence. Existing EEPROM/flash drivers can be reused with minor timing adjustments, as no polling or erase commands are needed.

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

When HOLD is pulled LOW during a write, the CY15E016Q-SXET suspends the transaction immediately-retaining internal address and state-and ignores further SCK/CS activity. Upon HOLD returning HIGH (while SCK remains LOW), the operation resumes from the exact bit position where it paused, ensuring atomicity without data corruption.

What is the impact of tying WP HIGH versus leaving it floating?

WP must never be left floating-it must be tied to VDD (for normal operation) or actively driven LOW (to lock Status Register writes). Floating WP may cause indeterminate behavior, potentially disabling write protection unintentionally or triggering spurious lock conditions during noise events.