Serial EEPROMs come in tiny package.

Press Release Summary:




Microwire(TM) units, housed in 6-lead SOT-23 packages, support densities from 1-4 kbits. Utilizing PMOS Electrically Erasable Cell (PEEC) process technology, dedicated 8-bit and 16-bit word Microwire devices have surface area of 8.26 mm². Series 93XX46A, 93XX56A, and 93XX66A devices offer operating voltages down to 2.5 V, active current of 1 mA, and standby current of 1 µA. For lower/higher voltages applications, additional units operate down to 1.8 V and work in 5 V designs.



Original Press Release:



Microchip Technology Expands Microwire(TM) Serial EEPROM Product Family into World's Smallest Package



Latest serial EEPROMs in 6-lead SOT-23 package support densities from 1- through 4-kbits

CHANDLER, Ariz. - Nov. 12, 2002 - Designing its latest Microwire(TM) serial EEPROMs into the smallest package available, Microchip Technology Inc. [Nasdaq: MCHP today announced the addition of a 6-lead SOT-23 package in densities that range from 1k through 4kbits. Utilizing Microchip's advanced PMOS Electrically Erasable Cell (PEEC) process technology, the 93XX46A/B, 93XX56A/B and 93XX66A/B devices are the first serial EEPROMs to be offered in this package. Representing the smallest standard package offered for a serial EEPROM today, the 6-lead SOT-23 package is well suited for portable and handheld applications.

In addition to the PEEC process technology, Microchip's dedicated 8-bit word and 16-bit word Microwire devices made this package offering possible. By eliminating the Word Organization (ORG) pin function the full Microwire functionality is available on six pins. The 93XX46A, 93XX56A and 93XX66A devices are designed to support an 8-bit word length, while the 93XX46B, 93XX56B and 93XX66B devices support a 16-bit word length.

As a point of reference, the footprint of the 6-lead SOT-23 package has a surface area of 8.26 mm2, which is approximately 72% smaller than the popular 8-lead narrow SOIC package and 56% smaller than the 8-lead TSSOP package. Another important dimension is the device profile, where the height is approximately 1.2 mm, 23% lower than the SOIC package. This smaller package offers designers an unprecedented level of flexibility in space-constrained applications, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of portable, handheld, computing and automotive designs.

"Microchip continues to extend its leadership in serial EEPROM packaging, with the introduction of the miniature 6-lead SOT-23 package in the Microwire family," said Alex Martinez, product marketing manager in the Memory Product Division at Microchip. "As PEEC technology enables expansion into a new EEPROM family, Microchip continues to offer unique solutions and smaller packaging for Microwire devices that, previously, were only available on 2-wire serial EEPROMs. Microchip's 2-wire serial EEPROM family is available in the SOT-23 package for 128-bit through 16Kbits.

The 93LCXXA/B series continues Microchip's standard, with operating voltages down to 2.5 volts, active current of 1 milliamp (mA) and standby current of 1 microamp (µA). For battery-powered applications with even lower voltage requirements, the 93AAXXA/B versions enable operation down to 1.8 volts. If higher voltages are necessary with a higher reset power-down voltage as a requirement, the 93CXXA/B devices are designed to operate in standard 5-volt designs.

In remote controls, home alarms, PC-card and peripheral markets, low cost is the driving force for serial EEPROMs; size and weight are additional considerations in the portable and hand-held arena. Microchip has designed the latest Microwire series into the smallest packages available in order to meet both key market drivers.

Applications targeted for these tiny devices include automotive, consumer appliances, remote controls, medical devices, portable/personal electronics, power supplies, PC peripherals, hand-held and wearable PCs, telecommunications (including phones and pagers), security alarms and sensors.

Pricing in 10,000-unit quantities for the 93LC46A/B, 93AA46A/B and 93C46A/B devices are $0.25 each; for the 93LC56A/B, 93AA56A/B and 93C56A/B devices, $0.27 each; for the 93LC66A/B, 93AA66A/B and 93C66A/B devices, $0.31 each. Samples and volume production are available now for the 93XX46A/B. The 93XX56A/B and 93XX66A/B will be available in volume production January 2003. For more information contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor or visit www.microchip.com

About Microchip Technology

Microchip Technology Inc. manufactures the popular PICmicro® field-programmable RISC microcontrollers, which serve 8- and 16-bit embedded control applications, and a broad spectrum of high performance linear and mixed-signal, power management and thermal management devices. The Company also offers complementary microperipheral products including interface devices; microID® RFID devices; serial EEPROMs; and the patented KEELOQ® security devices. This synergistic product portfolio targets thousands of applications and a growing demand for high-performance designs in the automotive, communications, computing, consumer and industrial control markets. The Company's quality systems are ISO 9001 (1994 version) and QS9000 (1998 version) certified. Microchip is headquartered in Chandler, Arizona with design facilities in Mountain View, California, Bangalore, India; and a European Design Center in Lausanne, Switzerland; semiconductor fabrication facilities in Tempe and Chandler, Arizona; Gresham, Oregon; and Puyallup, Washington; and assembly and test operations near Bangkok, Thailand. Microchip employs approximately 3,300 people worldwide and has sales offices throughout Asia, Europe, Japan and the Americas. More information on the Company can be found at www.microchip.com.

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