Microchip 25AA02E48T-I/OT: A 2Kbit Serial EEPROM with Embedded EUI-48™ Node Identity

In the rapidly evolving landscape of the Internet of Things (IoT), the need for secure, efficient, and uniquely identifiable devices is paramount. The Microchip 25AA02E48T-I/OT addresses this critical requirement by combining a reliable 2Kbit Serial EEPROM with a factory-programmed, globally unique EUI-48™ node identity. This integration simplifies design processes, reduces component count, and enhances system security, making it an ideal solution for a wide range of connected applications.

This device is built on robust SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) technology, ensuring high-speed data transfer and excellent noise immunity. The EEPROM array is organized as 256 x 8 bits and features a 16-byte page write buffer, enabling more efficient programming. Its voltage range of 1.8V to 5.5V makes it exceptionally versatile for use in both low-power and standard embedded systems. Furthermore, it offers advanced hardware write-protection features and a proven high endurance of 1 million erase/write cycles, guaranteeing data integrity and longevity in demanding environments.

The most significant advantage of the 25AA02E48T-I/OT is its pre-programmed EUI-48™ (Extended Unique Identifier-48) address. This 48-bit identifier is assigned by the IEEE® Registration Authority, ensuring that every unit is globally unique. This eliminates the complex and costly steps of sourcing, managing, and programming MAC addresses separately. For developers, this means a dramatically simplified production flow, faster time-to-market, and a guaranteed unique node identity for network authentication and connectivity in Ethernet, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and other IEEE 802-based networking protocols.

Housed in a space-saving SOT-23-6 package, this chip is perfectly suited for compact and portable designs. Its low-power consumption, including a standby current of just 1 µA (max), is critical for battery-operated IoT endpoints, sensor nodes, and other power-sensitive applications. By integrating non-volatile memory and a unique ID into a single, tiny package, Microchip provides a powerful "two-in-one" solution that reduces board space, lowers bill-of-materials costs, and enhances overall system reliability.

ICGOOODFIND: The Microchip 25AA02E48T-I/OT is a highly integrated and innovative component that elegantly solves the dual challenges of data storage and unique node identification in modern connected devices. Its combination of a robust SPI EEPROM with a guaranteed-unique EUI-48™ MAC address streamlines manufacturing, strengthens security, and accelerates the development of a new generation of IoT products.

Keywords: EUI-48™, SPI EEPROM, Unique MAC Address, IoT Connectivity, Low-Power.