AT93C86AY6-10YH-1.8-T: A Comprehensive Overview of the 1.8V 16Kb Microwire Serial EEPROM

The AT93C86AY6-10YH-1.8-T is a high-performance, low-voltage Serial Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) device designed for a wide range of modern electronic applications. Operating at a mere 1.8 volts, this 16-kilobit (1024 x 16 or 2048 x 8) memory IC is part of the popular Microwire serial interface family, offering a reliable non-volatile storage solution for systems where power consumption and board space are critical constraints.

Key Features and Electrical Characteristics

This EEPROM is distinguished by its ultra-low voltage operation, making it ideally suited for battery-powered and portable devices such as smartphones, wearables, medical instruments, and IoT sensor nodes. The `-10YH` suffix indicates a 10MHz clock frequency operation at 1.8V, enabling high-speed data transfer. Its Microwire interface, which is a subset of the broader SPI protocol, requires only three signal lines for communication: Chip Select (CS), Data In (DI), and Data Out (DO), shared with the clock (SK), simplifying design and reducing microcontroller pin count.

The device features a 16-byte page write mode, which allows for faster programming cycles by writing multiple bytes simultaneously. It also includes both software and hardware write protection mechanisms to safeguard stored data from accidental corruption. With an endurance of 1 million write cycles and a data retention period of 100 years, it guarantees long-term reliability.

Application Guide and Circuit Integration

Integrating the AT93C86AY6 into a system is straightforward. The primary design considerations involve proper power supply decoupling to ensure stable operation at 1.8V and careful routing of the serial signals to minimize noise. A typical application circuit includes a bypass capacitor close to the VCC pin and pull-up resistors on the CS, SK, and DI lines as recommended by the datasheet.

Communication is managed through a simple serial protocol. All operations—be it READ, WRITE, ERASE, WRITE ALL, or READ STATUS REGISTER—are initiated by a specific start bit and opcode sent by the master controller. For instance, to read a memory location, the master sends a READ command followed by the address. The device then outputs the data on its DO pin.

Programming and Software Considerations

From a software perspective, drivers are easy to implement. The microcontroller must generate precise timing for the Microwire signals. The following pseudo-code illustrates a basic read operation:

1. Pull CS high to select the device.

2. Send the START bit (1), followed by the READ opcode (10) for a 16-bit organization.

3. Send the 7-bit or 8-bit address (depending on organization mode).

4. Clock out the 16-bit data word on the DO pin.

5. Pull CS low to deselect the device and complete the operation.

Developers must adhere to the specified timing parameters for tCS, tSU, tHO, and tDI to ensure reliable communication.

ICGOODFIND: The AT93C86AY6-10YH-1.8-T stands out as an exceptional choice for ultra-low-power embedded systems requiring dependable non-volatile memory. Its combination of a simple 3-wire interface, high-speed operation, and robust reliability metrics makes it a versatile component for designers tackling the challenges of next-generation portable electronics.

Keywords:

1. Microwire Interface

2. Low-Voltage EEPROM

3. Non-Volatile Memory

4. Hardware Write Protection

5. Page Write Mode