Microchip Introduces New Unique ID Family of EEPROMs

Also Adds EUI-64™ Options to MAC-Address Family of EEPROMs for Easy and Low-Cost
Access to IEEE MAC Addresses

CHANDLER, Ariz. [NASDAQ: MCHP] — Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions, today introduced a family of serial EEPROM devices that feature a unique, pre-programmed 32-bit serial number for customers requiring unique IDs in their applications. For applications needing longer than 32-bit IDs, the unique ID can be extended to 48-bit, 64-bit, 96-bit, 128-bit and other lengths by increasing the number of bytes read from memory. Because the 32-bit ID is unique within these devices, any longer bit sequence is also unique. These 2 Kb serial EEPROM devices are available in standard busses, such as I2C™, SPI and Microwire, and come with up to 1.5 Kb of memory that can be used as a standard EEPROM. Additionally, Microchip released a 256 Kb I2C unique-ID device, which, in addition to the 32-bit serial number, also contains the IEEE EUI-48™ and IEEE EUI-64™ MAC addresses. These IDs are in a write-protected area of the memory, giving users up to 224 Kb of EEPROM to use in their applications. Microchip ensures this 32-bit ID is unique across the entire family of 24AA02UID, 24AA025UID, 11AA02UID, 25AA02UID and 24AA256UID unique-ID EEPROM devices.

Microchip also added to its existing EUI-48™ MAC Address portfolio by introducing a family with pre-programmed EUI-64™ MAC Addresses. These 2 Kb EEPROM devices are available in the I2C,SPI and UNI/O® bus, which provide easy and inexpensive access to MAC addresses, and feature up to 1.5 Kb of EEPROM that can be used for storing configuration settings, or as a scratch-pad area for buffering small amounts of data. The 24AA02E64, 24AA025E64, 11AA02E64 and 25AA02E64 serial EEPROM devices have a built-in 64-bit Extended Unique Identifier (EUI) that is needed to identify the network hardware’s physical address. These built-in MAC addresses enable designers to buy addresses only when needed, and also eliminate the need for serialization and programming.

The EUI-64 networking applications for the new EEPROMs are best suited for those involving Ethernet, Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, FireWire, ZigBee® and Microchip’s MiWi™ protocol. These devices excel in a broad range of applications, including those in the consumer (wireless radios and printers, Bluetooth headsets, Internet-enabled LCD TVs and home automation) and industrial (Ethernet, USB and industrial automation) markets. The applications for the new unique-ID devices include those in the consumer, medical, industrial, automotive and networking markets. Examples of ideal end applications include printers, handheld devices, remote sensor modules, audio headsets, device authentication and identification for medical devices, wireless products and battery-operated products.

“The need for unique IDs and serial numbers has risen with the growing number of applications needing secure keys for both authentication and identification purposes. These are used in a variety of medical, consumer, connectivity, networking, automotive and wireless applications,” said Randy Drwinga, vice president of Microchip’s Memory Products Division. “The unique ID devices offer customers an easy, low-cost, plug-and-play solution for adding a serial number or unique ID in their application. With the unique ID pre-programmed into the EEPROM, customers can get started with these devices right away.”

Development Support

Microchip’s unique ID EEPROM devices are supported by the MPLAB® Starter Kit for Serial Memory Products (Part # DV243003, $79.98), which is available today.

Pricing & Availability

The 24AA02UID and 24AA025UID devices are available now for sampling in 5/6-pin SOT-23, and 8-pin SOIC and PDIP packages for $0.16 each, in 10,000-unit quantities. The 24AA0256UID device is available in 8-pin SOIC, TSSOP and PDIP packages for $0.64 each. Volume production for these devices is expected in August.

The 25AA02UID is available now for sampling and volume production in 8-pin SOIC and 6-pin SOT-23 packages for $0.28 each, in 10,000 quantities. The 11AA02UID device is available now for sampling and volume production in 3-pin SOT-23 and 8-pin SOIC packages, for $0.23 each, in 10,000-unit quantities. The 24AA02E64 and 24AA025E64 is available now for sampling and volume production in 8-pin SOIC and 5/6-pin SOT-23 packages, for $0.17 each, in 10,000 unit quantities. The 25AA02E64 is available now for sampling and volume production in 8-pin SOIC and 6-pin SOT-23 packages, for $0.29 each, in 10,000 packages. The 11AA02E64 is available now for sampling and volume production in 8-pin SOIC and 3-pin SOT-23 packages, for $0.25 each, in 10,000-unit quantities.

For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip’s Web site at http://www.microchip.com/get/TK4D. To purchase products mentioned in this press release, go to microchipDIRECT or contact one of Microchip’s authorized distribution partners.

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About Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at http://www.microchip.com/get/PQ51.


Note: The Microchip name and logo, MPLAB, and UNI/O are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. MiWi is a trademark of Microchip Technology Inc. in the U.S.A. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.