CHANDLER, Ariz., March 23, 2009 [NASDAQ: MCHP] — Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced several new I2C™ serial EEPROM devices in small packages. The company unveiled a series of 4, 64 and 128 Kbit serial EEPROMs in a Wafer-Level Chip Scale Package (WLCSP), and expects to complete a family of these devices from 4K to 512 Kbit devices in the coming months. Additionally, the company introduced the industry’s first 1 and 2 Kbit I2C serial EEPROMs in a 5-pin SC-70 package, and the industry’s first 32 and 64 Kbit serial EEPROMs in a 5-pin SOT-23 package. The small, innovative devices complement industry trends toward smaller and more sophisticated designs, and are ideal for a wide range of portable and consumer-electronic applications.
Smaller form factors have forced engineers to consider smaller packages to meet the needs of their applications. With Microchip’s tiny new serial EEPROMs, designers can replace larger packages with these smaller, less-expensive packages without sacrificing performance. One of the newest and most innovative packages on the market, Microchip’s die-sized WLCSP has an extremely low profile, making it appropriate for not only space but height-constrained applications. The low pin count of the ultra-small 2 mm x 2 mm SC-70 and 3 mm x 3 mm SOT-23 packages requires fewer I/O connectors, which helps to minimize overall design size and cost; and provides further cost advantages over other popular package types such as the SOIC.
“By introducing our very tiny EEPROMs, Microchip continues to expand its serial EEPROM presence in the portable and consumer-electronic market segments,” said Randy Drwinga, vice president of Microchip’s Memory Products Division.
Drwinga continued, “With the WLCSP, Microchip now offers an entire family of I2C EEPROMs in packages the size of the die, itself—several are smaller than 1 mm x 1 mm. These devices further enhance our commitment to satisfying customers’ needs with innovative, low-cost and small packages.”
In addition to the devices being announced today, Microchip expects to announce a family of 128 Kbit devices in a 2 mm x 3 mm TDFN package; a family of 512 Kbit devices in a TSSOP; and a series of 512 Kbit and 1 Mbit devices in a 150-mil SOIC package in the coming months.
The new EEPROMs are ideal for numerous portable and consumer-electronic applications, such as Bluetooth® headsets, cell phones, digital cameras, laptop computers, PDAs, LCD modules and watches. The devices are also appropriate for applications in the industrial market such as security cameras, as well as in medical applications such as glucose meters and hearing aids.
Development Tool Support
Microchip’s new small-package serial EEPROM devices are supported by the MPLAB® Starter Kit for Serial Memory Products (Part # DV243003). The kit includes a serial memory interface board, a serial EEPROM starter pack, a USB cable, and a CD containing the MPLAB IDE, Total Endurance™ software model and a serial EEPROM interface tool. It can be ordered today at microchipDIRECT (www.microchipdirect.com), for $79.98.
Device Packaging, Pricing & Availability
The following summarizes part numbers, package options and pricing for Microchip’s new small-package I2C serial EEPROMs:
Part Number Package Option 10,000-unit Quantity Price
24AA01, 24LC01B (24XX01) 5-pin SC-70 $0.19 each
24AA02, 24LC02B (24XX02) 5-pin SC-70 $0.20 each
24AA32, 24LC32A (24XX32) 5-pin SOT-23 $0.29 each
24AA64, 24LC64 (24XX64) 5-pin SOT-23 $0.36 each
24AA128 WLCSP $0.65 each
24AA04 WLCSP (Expected April 2009) $0.34 each
24AA64 WLCSP (Expected April 2009) $0.50 each
Samples of the new EEPROMs can be ordered today at sample.microchip.com, and volume production quantities can be ordered today at www.microchipdirect.com. The 24AA04 and 24AA64 EEPROMs in a WLCSP option are expected to be available for sampling and purchase in April 2009. For further information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip’s Web site at www.microchip.com/memory-packages.
Microchip Customer Support
Microchip is committed to supporting its customers by helping design engineers develop products faster and more efficiently. Customers can access four main service areas at www.microchip.com. The Support area provides a fast way to get questions answered; the Sample area offers evaluation samples of any Microchip device; microchipDIRECT provides 24-hour pricing, ordering, inventory and credit for convenient purchasing of all Microchip devices and development tools; finally, the Training area educates customers through webinars, sign-ups for local seminar and workshop courses, and information about the annual MASTERs events held throughout the world.
About Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Ariz., Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com.