Why Choose the UNI/O® Serial EEPROM?

Do you face the following issues?

o MCU needs external memory but you’re pin limited?

o Need to add new features to your existing design without having to shift to a more expensive MCU?

o Want to lower system costs? (By using a smaller MCU)

o Need a more compact Design?

Solution:

The single I/O UNI/O® EEPROM is the one stop solution to get around all of the above. The UNI/O® EEPROM not only gets around the pin limitation problem being a single I/O device, it has the dual advantage of either adding extra features to your existing MCU using these freed-up I/Os or shifting to a less expensive/smaller pin count MCU.

The UNI/O® Serial EEPROM was designed keeping in mind the best features of our other standard EEPROM buses, namely the I²C, Microwire and SPI. Here are some of the advanced features which can be used with UNI/O® Serial EEPROMs:

1. WIP Polling

2. Software Write Protect. (Block Protect)

3. Status Register

4. Write Enable/Disable

5. Current Address Read

6. Software Addressable

7. Set All/Erase All

The UNI/O® Serial EEPROM will also be the first and only EEPROM to fit into the small 3 lead SOT-23 package.

Finally, being a standard EEPROM device you continue to enjoy the standard benefits of EEPROMs like low supply voltage (1.8V) operation, wide temperature ranges (-40C to 120C) and high endurance (1M cycles).

For more on the features and benefits of using the UNI/O® EEPROM, click here.

SPI Vs UNI/O® EEPROM

Using the UNI/O® EEPROM instead of the SPI saves you at least 3 I/O pins on your MCU which can be used to add external features or enable you to shift to a smaller, less expensive MCU. Also, the UNI/O® EEPROMs are priced cheaper than the SPI for the same density.

However, it must be noted that the SPI wins when the application demands higher speeds. Also the SPIs have a larger selection in terms of densities going all the way to 1Mbit.

o The UNI/O® EEPROM advantage: Fewer pins, design compactness, lower cost, smaller packages

o The SPI EEPROM advantage: Faster bus, wider densities (Up to 1 Mbit)

I²C Vs UNI/O® EEPROM

The UNI/O® EEPROM saves you at least one pin when compared to the I²C. Also, the I²C needs extra pull-up resistors as shown for the data and clock lines as a recommended practice to prevent these I/O’s from floating. These can be done away with in the UNI/O® bus thus ensuring not only lower system costs but a more compact design overall.

The UNI/O® serial EEPROM is also built in with additional features like the software write-protect feature and the status register which is not found in the standard I²C EEPROMs.

The I²C is however slightly faster than the UNI/O® EEPROM and has a wider selection of densities.

o The UNI/O® EEPROM advantage: Fewer I/O pins, design compactness, smaller packages, software write protect, status register

o The I²C EEPROM advantage: Slightly faster bus, wider densities (Up to 1Mbit), lower cost

Summarizing………The UNI/O® Space:

Apart from the standard EEPROM space, the UNI/O® Serial EEPROM wins particularly in these sockets:

o Pin Count is a premium

§ Only one I/O available

§ Potential to use smaller/cheaper Micro

§ Or add another feature to application

§ When emulated EEPROM not sufficient

o Board Space is a premium

§ 3-pin SOT with simple hookup

§ No external resistors required, fewer traces (More compact design)

o Proprietary Product is a premium

§ Security, Authentication - Medical, Consumer Electronics, Automotive

§ Cell Phone Batteries; Printer Cartridges