Microchip Technology 24LC024-I/ST

Microchip 24LC024-I/ST Serial EEPROM Product Summary

The Microchip 24LC024-I/ST is a 2 Kbit Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) designed with an industry-standard I²C serial interface and housed in an 8-lead Thin Shrink Small Outline Package (TSSOP). Built on advanced low-power CMOS technology, this device combines robust non-volatile memory functions with low operating currents, making it suitable for data logging, parameter storage, and configuration memory in embedded control and industrial applications.

The 24LC024-I/ST implements a 2-wire serial interface for communication, offering broad compatibility and ease of integration. It is engineered to meet stringent reliability demands, with more than one million erase/write cycles and data retention exceeding 200 years, ensuring critical data integrity in long-life products.

Main Attributes of the 24LC024-I/ST Serial EEPROM

The 24LC024-I/ST provides features critical for designers seeking small capacity, reliable memory solutions:

Single-supply operation, requiring 2.5V to 5.5V

Ultra-low power consumption: typical active read current of 1 mA and standby current of 1 µA

Standard I²C interface (100 kHz/400 kHz operation)

Schmitt trigger inputs for enhanced noise immunity

Output slope control to minimize ground bounce

Built-in hardware write protection via a dedicated WP pin

Self-timed erase/write cycles with a 5 ms maximum page write time

16-byte page write buffer for efficient data handling

Robust ESD protection (>4,000V)

Endurance of over one million write/erase cycles and >200 years data retention

RoHS compliance and Pb-free packaging

Wide operating temperature: -40°C to +85°C (industrial)

24LC024-I/ST Internal Design and Functionality

The memory array of the 24LC024-I/ST comprises a single 256x8-bit block, accessed via the I²C-compatible protocol. The device supports both random and sequential access, enabling flexible data storage schemes and efficient memory use. Up to eight 24LC024-I/ST devices can reside on the same I²C bus, allowing for straightforward scaling to higher densities in a single bus topology.

Addressing is handled through three hardware address pins (A0, A1, A2), facilitating unique device selection among multiple chips. The device also features a hardware Write Protect pin (WP), enabling full array write protection when asserted, a useful safeguard in applications demanding immutable data.

24LC024-I/ST Electrical Specifications and Timing Data

The 24LC024-I/ST is rated for standard EEPROM voltage and timing requirements:

Absolute maximum Vcc of 6.5V; input/output voltage range is -0.3V to Vcc+1V

Storage temperature from -65°C to +150°C and operating temperature up to +125°C for the automotive version

The device functions reliably at clock frequencies up to 400 kHz (100 kHz when Vcc<2.5V)

Read and write operations are handled through well-defined AC/DC parameters, ensuring consistent system behavior even under challenging EMI or voltage conditions

Enhanced input noise rejection through Schmitt-trigger and filter circuits on the SCL and SDA pins

24LC024-I/ST Signal Functions and Pin Layout

SDA (Serial Data): Bi-directional I/O for data and address transfer; requires external pull-up resistor.

SCL (Serial Clock): Input; synchronizes all data movement.

A0, A1, A2: Device address selection pins; connect to Vcc or GND.

WP (Write Protect): Enables/disables hardware write protection for the entire memory array.

These pins provide standard I²C compatibility and support for flexible hardware addressing and system-level data integrity.

24LC024-I/ST Bus Communication and Connection Methods

The 24LC024-I/ST’s I²C-compatible protocol makes it easy to interface with common microcontrollers and processors. The protocol supports:

Start and Stop Conditions: Defined by transitions on the SDA line while SCL is high.

Bus Arbitration: Up to 8 devices identified by unique combinations of address bits.

Byte-Oriented Data Transfer: Data validity and acknowledgment controlled via defined bus states.

Multi-Byte Page Write: Supports page-aligned writes of up to 16 bytes in a single operation.

Read Procedures: Current address, random, and sequential read modes are all supported.

These protocol features allow for versatile and efficient integration with both legacy and current-generation controllers.

Data Writing, Reading, and Protection Features in the 24LC024-I/ST

The 24LC024-I/ST supports two fundamental types of write operations:

Byte Write: Single data byte written to a specified address.

Page Write: Up to 16 data bytes written to contiguous addresses within the same memory page.

Hardware write protection is enabled by setting the WP pin high, which disables all write operations and ensures data permanence. The chip uses acknowledge polling to indicate the completion of a write cycle, optimizing software-controlled bus usage. For reading, three modes (current address, random, sequential) facilitate both simple and complex firmware communications. The address pointer increments automatically, but rolls over from the end to the beginning of the array, streamlining sequential reads.

Available Packaging Formats for the 24LC024-I/ST Series

The 24LC024-I/ST is available in an industry-standard 8-lead TSSOP (4.4 mm body), and the series supports alternative packages such as 8-lead PDIP, SOIC, DFN, TDFN, and MSOP to accommodate various assembly technologies. These package choices enable support for both automated and manual assembly, including high-density surface-mount designs or traditional through-hole prototypes.

Alternative or Substitute Models for the 24LC024-I/ST

When evaluating alternatives to the 24LC024-I/ST, engineers can consider the following models in the same product family:

Microchip 24AA024: Similar 2 Kbit I²C EEPROM, but with a wider operating voltage range (1.7V–5.5V).

Microchip 24AA025/24LC025: Functionally compatible devices, with variants offering 6-pin SOT-23 packages (note that SOT-23 lacks the A2 address and WP functionality).

These alternatives maintain protocol compatibility and have similar electrical characteristics. Selection can be based on packaging, voltage range, or special requirements such as SOT-23 footprint compatibility.

Conclusion

The Microchip 24LC024-I/ST delivers reliable, low-power, and robust EEPROM storage for embedded and industrial applications demanding non-volatile data retention with streamlined I²C communication. Its hardened electrical characteristics, comprehensive protocol support, flexible addressing, and a choice of compact packaging make it a solid solution for parameter, event log, and configuration storage tasks. With more than a decade of market presence, broad supply chain support, and functionally equivalent alternatives within the same series, the 24LC024-I/ST remains a dependable part for new and legacy designs alike. For engineers seeking a straightforward and versatile low-density EEPROM, the 24LC024-I/ST stands out as a trustworthy choice.