Unlike Flash memory, it can be written and erased multiple times, features a more granular memory architecture and can be operated over a wide supply voltage range. If you are using serial EEPROMs for the first time, we are offering informative advice to help you get started.
How to Choose the Right Serial EEPROM
An engineer or developer must consider the system design when selecting a serial EEPROM for an application. To ensure they make the right serial EEPROM decision for their needs, we advise a developer to ask themselves the following questions:
While an engineer may need to weigh up the density and cost, it will more than likely be the system software application that will determine a serial EEPROM decision.
Most engineers will estimate the amount of memory they will require to complete an application will be identified before the design is finalised. However, it is recommended to purchase a final density of 50% or larger to allow for memory growth. For an engineer to select the right EEPROM device for an application, it is important they ask themselves the following questions during the design phase:
The biggest decision an engineer will make when selecting the appropriate serial EEPROM is the microcontroller’s type of serial ports and the number of available I/O ports. The final bus type is often determined by either the application or the microcontroller. If an engineer chooses an SPI EEPROM, the application will require a 4-pin interface for the microcontroller, which will also feature both a data input and output port, as well as a separate I/O port for the SPI device’s Chip Select and a clock port. However, if just two I/O ports are available, an engineer cannot select the SPI or Microwire EEPROMS. The next best option would be the I2C or a single I/O UNI/O bus, but ensure the bus speed complements the application’s density needs.
How to Choose the Serial EEPROM Development Tools
Engineers looking for specialised serial EEPROM tools for a project’s design development or test phase should turn to Microchip, a leading provider of serial EEPROMs and microcontrollers, as they offer a selection of the finest serial EEPROM tools for programming, evaluating, testing and predicting the EEPROM’s quality levels.
An engineer or developer looking for basic programming or a high-quality data viewer should consider the MPLAB Start Kit for serial memory products. However, if an engineer is looking for a device lifetime, erase/write endurance and continuous quality levels during various temperatures and voltages, they should seriously consider the Total Endurance Software, which is a powerful mathematical model that provides reliable predictions. It is important to note that every serial EEPROMs from any manufacturer has the potential to experience bit failures following multiple erase/write cycles.
Pick the Right Serial EEPROM Provider
A developer or engineer will want to ensure their device does not suffer any reliability or end of life issues, so it is important to pick the right serial EEPROM provider when designing an application. For this reason, we recommend turning to Microchip that offer the longest data retention and the best endurance levels.
Microchip’s EEPROMs are tested to identify their ability to withstand a variety of arduous conditions, with each device experiencing advanced burn-in testing. As a result, this will identify devices that would otherwise fail when in field operation. What’s more, Microchip’s EEPROMs are compatible with the standards of the de facto industry, so can commonly provide the perfect drop-in replacement for a competitor device.