25LC160CT-E/ST EEPROM Memory IC Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The 25LC160CT-E/ST is a 16Kbit Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) EEPROM memory IC manufactured by Microchip Technology in 8-TSSOP surface mount packaging. This non-volatile memory device operates at 10 MHz clock frequency with a supply voltage range of 2.5V to 5.5V and supports operating temperatures from -40°C to 125°C. The part is currently active and ROHS3 compliant.

Substitute parts are necessary when the primary part becomes unavailable, when alternative packaging formats are required, or when enhanced performance specifications (such as higher clock frequency or extended temperature ranges) are needed for specific application requirements.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit
Memory Size	16Kbit	—
Memory Organization	2K x 8	—
Memory Interface	SPI	—
Clock Frequency	10 MHz	MHz
Write Cycle Time	5	ms
Supply Voltage Range	2.5V ~ 5.5V	V
Operating Temperature	-40°C ~ 125°C	°C
Package Type	8-TSSOP	—
Mounting Type	Surface Mount	—
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	—

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution compatibility for the 25LC160CT-E/ST is determined by the following critical parameters:

Primary Compatibility Criteria:

Memory Size: 16Kbit (fixed requirement)
Memory Organization: 2K x 8 (fixed requirement)
Memory Interface: SPI (fixed requirement)
Package Type: 8-TSSOP (fixed requirement)
Mounting Type: Surface Mount (fixed requirement)

Secondary Compatibility Criteria:

Clock Frequency: 10 MHz minimum (substitutes with 20 MHz are compatible)
Supply Voltage Range: Must encompass or exceed 2.5V ~ 5.5V
Operating Temperature: Must support -40°C ~ 125°C or subset thereof
Write Cycle Time: 5ms or faster
RoHS Compliance: ROHS3 Compliant

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories:

Category A - Direct Electrical Equivalents (10 MHz operation): Parts with identical or superior electrical specifications matching the 10 MHz clock frequency and full temperature range support.

Category B - Enhanced Performance Substitutes (20 MHz operation): Parts with higher clock frequency (20 MHz) that provide performance headroom. These require verification that the application circuit can operate at the higher frequency without functional impact.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Memory Size	Clock Freq (MHz)	Supply Voltage (V)	Temp Range (°C)	Write Cycle (ms)	Package	Status	MSL
25LC160CT-E/ST	Microchip	16Kbit	10	2.5~5.5	-40~125	5	8-TSSOP	Active	1
25LC160AT-E/ST	Microchip	16Kbit	10	2.5~5.5	-40~125	5	8-TSSOP	Active	1
BR25H160FVT-2CE2	Rohm	16Kbit	10	2.5~5.5	-40~125	4	8-TSSOP-B	Active	1
AT25160B-XHL-B	Microchip	16Kbit	20	1.8~5.5	-40~85	5	8-TSSOP	Active	3
AT25160B-XHL-T	Microchip	16Kbit	20	1.8~5.5	-40~85	5	8-TSSOP	Active	3
CAT25160YI-GT3	onsemi	16Kbit	20	1.8~5.5	-40~85	5	8-TSSOP	Active	1
CAV25160YE-GT3	onsemi	16Kbit	20	2.5~5.5	-40~125	5	8-TSSOP	Active	1
M95160-DRDW3TP/K	STMicroelectronics	16Kbit	20	1.8~5.5	-40~125	4	8-TSSOP	Active	1
M95160-DFDW6TP	STMicroelectronics	16Kbit	20	1.7~5.5	-40~85	5	8-TSSOP	Active	1
S-25C160A0I-T8T1U3	ABLIC Inc.	16Kbit	5	1.6~5.5	-40~85	5	8-TSSOP	Active	1

Engineering Selection Recommendations

For Direct Replacement (Identical Specifications):

The 25LC160AT-E/ST is the primary direct substitute. Both parts are manufactured by Microchip Technology with identical electrical specifications (10 MHz, 2.5V~5.5V, -40°C~125°C). The difference is packaging format: 25LC160AT-E/ST is supplied in Cut Tape (CT) format versus Tape & Reel (TR) for the original part. Selection depends on procurement and assembly requirements.

For Enhanced Performance with Full Temperature Range:

The M95160-DRDW3TP/K (STMicroelectronics) and CAV25160YE-GT3 (onsemi) both support the full -40°C~125°C temperature range while providing 20 MHz clock frequency. The M95160-DRDW3TP/K offers faster write cycle time (4ms versus 5ms). Both are AEC-Q100 qualified for automotive applications. These parts are suitable when higher clock frequency provides system performance benefits without circuit redesign.

For Automotive Applications:

BR25H160FVT-2CE2 (Rohm Semiconductor) is AEC-Q100 qualified with automotive-grade specifications. It maintains 10 MHz operation with -40°C~125°C temperature range and faster write cycle (4ms). M95160-DRDW3TP/K also qualifies for automotive use with enhanced frequency.

For Low-Voltage Applications:

M95160-DFDW6TP supports operation down to 1.7V supply voltage, suitable for battery-powered or low-voltage systems. However, operating temperature is limited to -40°C~85°C.

Not Recommended:

S-25C160A0I-T8T1U3 operates at only 5 MHz clock frequency, which is half the original specification. This part is suitable only if the application can tolerate reduced clock speed.

CAT25160YI-G is marked as Obsolete and should not be selected for new designs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use a 20 MHz substitute part in place of the 10 MHz 25LC160CT-E/ST?

A: Yes, provided the application circuit is designed to operate at the higher frequency. Higher clock frequency parts are backward compatible with lower frequency requirements. However, verify that the system's SPI bus timing and software drivers support 20 MHz operation without functional degradation.

Q: What is the difference between 25LC160CT-E/ST and 25LC160AT-E/ST?

A: Both parts are electrically identical with the same specifications (10 MHz, 2.5V~5.5V, -40°C~125°C). The difference is packaging: CT denotes Tape & Reel format while AT denotes Cut Tape format. Selection depends on assembly line requirements and minimum order quantities.

Q: Are all substitute parts ROHS3 compliant?

A: Yes, all listed substitute parts are ROHS3 compliant, matching the environmental compliance of the original part.

Q: What does MSL (Moisture Sensitivity Level) mean for component selection?

A: MSL indicates the maximum time a component can be exposed to moisture before soldering. MSL 1 (Unlimited) parts have no moisture exposure restrictions. MSL 3 (168 Hours) parts must be soldered within 168 hours of package opening. For high-volume production with extended storage, MSL 1 parts are preferred.

Q: Can I substitute the 25LC160CT-E/ST with S-25C160A0I-T8T1U3?

A: Not recommended. The S-25C160A0I-T8T1U3 operates at 5 MHz, which is half the original clock frequency. This substitution is only valid if the application can function at reduced speed. Verify timing requirements before selection.

Q: Which substitute offers the best performance upgrade?

A: M95160-DRDW3TP/K provides the best performance upgrade with 20 MHz clock frequency, 4ms write cycle time (faster than the original 5ms), and full -40°C~125°C temperature range. It is also AEC-Q100 qualified for automotive applications.

Q: Are there temperature range limitations I should consider?

A: Yes. The original 25LC160CT-E/ST supports -40°C~125°C. Some substitutes (AT25160B-XHL-B, AT25160B-XHL-T, CAT25160YI-GT3, M95160-DFDW6TP) are limited to -40°C~85°C. Verify your application's temperature requirements before selection.

Q: What is the significance of AEC-Q100 qualification?

A: AEC-Q100 qualification indicates the part meets automotive industry reliability and quality standards. Parts with this qualification (BR25H160FVT-2CE2, M95160-DRDW3TP/K, CAV25160YE-GT3) are suitable for automotive and mission-critical applications requiring enhanced reliability documentation.

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