Catalyst Semiconductor announced the addition of the 32K-bit density CAT25C32 and CAT25C33 and the 64K-bit density CAT25C64 and CAT25C65 SPI™ bus compatible memory products to its serial EEPROM product line. The new devices feature a 10MHz clock rate and operate with power supplies ranging from 1.8 volts to 6.0 volts. Clock rate is 25 times higher than I²C™ devices operating at 400kHz.

The CAT25C32 and CAT25C64 have four memory block protection modes, and the CAT25C33 and CAT25C65 have six memory block protection modes. All of the devices operate in the two most popular SPI serial clock modes (0,0 & 1,1). The four new products are organized as 4K x 8 and 8K x 8.

The CAT25C32/33/64/65 Serial EEPROM family offers advanced data write protection. The memory can be partitioned into segments having different levels of write protection, preventing changes to certain data while allowing data changes to other portions of the memory. In addition to software write protection, the devices offer hardware write protection. Using the write protection input pin the system designer can protect specific blocks of the memory area reserved for configuration or serialization data, such as serial numbers or system setup parameters, from inadvertent changes. With these write protection features there is no need for additional components to permanently protect system configuration data.

The CAT25C32/33/64/65 target applications where high performance, extended battery life and small size are essential. Packaging options include PDIP, small SOIC and low profile TSSOP packages. They are specified to operate from a low-voltage power source of 1.8 volts to 6.0 volts for read and program operations. Standby current is only picoamperes.

Editor Note: High-resolution electronic images are available by contacting Cari Pangelinan, Catalyst Semiconductor, at 408.542.1029 or by email at cari.pangelinan@catsemi.com.

SPI is a trademark of Motorola, Inc. and I²C is a trademark of Philips Semiconductor. In I2C the 2 is superscript.

The CAT25C32/64 supports Motorola's SPI bus data transmission protocol. The synchronous Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) helps the CAT25C32/64 to interface directly with many of today ’s popular microcontrollers. These products are a higher density version of the company's existing 16k-bit parts. Catalyst now offers a line ranging from 8k-bit to 256k-bit.

The market needed these higher performance serial EEPROMs for applications with microcontroller systems where the microcontroller has a dedicated SPI port - such as those offered by Motorola. The higher densities are not available in the older, slower microwire products on the market. These faster, higher density devices offer a better performance match with the microcontrollers already being used.

The 10MHz SPI bus-compatible EEPROM memories are a major addition to Catalyst Semiconductor's line of Serial EEPROMs. The worldwide market for SPI bus compatible EEPROMs reached $250 million in 2001 and should exceed $450 million by 2003. The drivers include cellular and wireless communication applications, modems and consumer equipment because they demand fast serial EEPROMs that must also operate at low battery voltages. The 10MHz operation and 1.8V to 6.0V operating voltage of the CAT25C32/33/64/65 make it appropriate for many different applications including automotive systems, cameras, cell phones, mobile radios, modems, test equipment, and vending machines.

Pricing for the CAT25C32 and CAT25C33 Serial EEPROM Memory in the SOIC, PDIP or TSSOP package is $0.85 at 10,000 pieces. Pricing for the CAT25C64 and CAT25C65 Serial EEPROM Memory in the SOIC, PDIP or TSSOP package is $0.95 at 10,000 pieces. Larger quantities are priced at significantly lower levels. Samples are available now, and production quantities are scheduled for the third quarter.

Data sheets for the 25C32 and 25C64 (linked above):
www.catsemi.com/pdf/SPIBus/25C32-64.pdf

Data sheets for the 2533 and 25C65:
www.catsemi.com/pdf/SPIBus/25C33-65.pdf