— Long Description

The 24C04 Serial EEPROM IC in an SOIC-8 package is a compact, reliable non-volatile memory chip that provides 4 Kbit (4096 bits / 512 × 8) of storage capacity. It communicates using the standard I²C (two-wire) interface, making it exceptionally easy to integrate into microcontroller projects, embedded systems, and electronics that require small, persistent memory.

Operating from a supply range of 2.7V to 5.5V, the 24C04 is compatible with both low-voltage and 5V logic systems. It includes a Write Protect (WP) pin, allowing users to lock memory content when needed to prevent accidental writes. The memory chip supports page write operations up to 16 bytes at a time, which increases efficiency and reduces communication overhead compared to single-byte writes.

Featuring a self-timed write cycle with a typical write time of around 5 ms, the 24C04 is optimized for speed and reliability. It is rated for 1,000,000 write cycles and offers up to 100 years of data retention, making it suitable for long-term data storage applications such as configuration settings, calibration values, serial numbers, system parameters, and small logging tasks.

With support for both standard (100 kHz) and fast (400 kHz) I²C modes, this EEPROM is well-suited for a wide range of microcontrollers including Arduino, ESP32, STM32, PIC, AVR, and Raspberry Pi processors. Its SOIC-8 surface-mount format also makes it ideal for compact PCB designs where space is limited.

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Key Features

• 4 Kbit memory capacity (512 × 8 bits)

• Two-wire I²C serial communication interface

• Operates from 2.7V to 5.5V

• Supports standard (100 kHz) and fast (400 kHz) I²C modes

• Page write support (16-byte page size)

• Write Protect (WP) pin for data security

• Self-timed write cycle (~5 ms typical)

• High endurance: up to 1,000,000 write cycles

• Long data retention: up to 100 years

• Compact SOIC-8 package

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Technical Specifications

• Memory Size: 4 Kbit (4096 bits)

• Organization: 512 × 8 bits

• Operating Voltage: 2.7V – 5.5V

• Interface: I²C (SCL, SDA)

• Max Clock Frequency: Up to ~400 kHz

• Write Cycle Time: ~5 ms (self-timed)

• Page Size: 16 bytes

• Endurance: 1 million write cycles

• Data Retention: 100 years

• Package: SOIC-8 (surface mount)

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Typical Applications

• Configuration data storage

• Calibration values for sensors

• Parameter or settings retention

• Logging small amounts of data

• Storing device IDs, serial numbers, lookup tables

• Battery-powered or low-power embedded systems

• IoT devices requiring persistent memory

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Benefits

• Reliable non-volatile memory that retains data without power

• Small footprint suitable for compact PCBs

• Easy I²C communication with almost any microcontroller

• High endurance ensures long operational life

• Write protection prevents accidental data corruption

• Fast write operations with page mode support

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Usage Notes

• The WP pin should be tied high to protect data, or low to allow writing.

• After initiating a write, allow the internal write cycle to complete (~5 ms) before issuing another command.

• Proper pull-up resistors are required on the I²C bus lines (SDA & SCL).

• Addressing might vary depending on device variant; check the pin configuration when designing your circuit.

• For large datasets, grouping writes into 16-byte pages improves performance.