Microchip 25LC256-I/SM 256K SPI Bus Serial EEPROM: Features and Applications
The Microchip 25LC256-I/SM is a 256-Kbit Serial Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) that utilizes the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) bus for communication. This device is engineered for applications requiring reliable non-volatile memory with a simple interface, low power consumption, and high durability. Its SOIC (150-Mil) surface-mount package makes it suitable for compact and space-constrained PCB designs.
Key Features:
- High-Capacity Storage: Organized as 32,768 x 8, this EEPROM provides ample space for data logging, configuration settings, and firmware updates.
- SPI Bus Compatibility: Supports clock frequencies up to 10 MHz, enabling high-speed data transfer and seamless interfacing with a wide range of microcontrollers and processors.
- Low Power Operation: Features a standby current of just 1 µA (typical) and an active read current of 3 mA (at 10 MHz), making it ideal for battery-powered and portable devices.
- Hardware Write Protection: The WP (Write Protect) pin allows users to enable hardware protection for the entire memory array or a portion of it, preventing accidental data corruption.
- High Reliability: With over 1,000,000 erase/write cycles and data retention exceeding 200 years, it ensures long-term data integrity.
- Wide Voltage Range: Operates from 1.8V to 5.5V, providing flexibility across various digital logic levels and system voltages.
- Temperature Range: The industrial-grade -40°C to +85°C operating range ensures stable performance in harsh environments.
Applications:
The versatility of the 25LC256-I/SM allows it to be deployed across numerous industries. In consumer electronics, it is used to store user preferences and calibration data in devices like smart TVs and set-top boxes. The automotive industry leverages its robust temperature performance for storing odometer data and ECU configurations. Industrial systems utilize it for parameter storage in PLCs and sensor calibration data. Its low-power attributes make it a perfect fit for portable medical devices, such as blood glucose meters and portable monitors, where data must be retained even when power is off. Additionally, it is widely adopted in IoT nodes and smart meters for storing metering data and network configuration parameters securely.
The Microchip 25LC256-I/SM stands out as a highly reliable, high-speed, and low-power SPI EEPROM solution. Its combination of large memory capacity, industrial temperature range, and robust write endurance makes it an excellent choice for demanding applications across automotive, industrial, medical, and consumer fields.
Keywords:
SPI EEPROM, Non-Volatile Memory, Low-Power Design, Hardware Write Protection, Industrial Temperature Range
