Serial RAMs solve system memory expansion challenges

Microchip serial SRAMs in 64kbit and 256kbit densities provide a convenient way to increase a system’s SRAM capacity without using a larger MCU.

The 23A640, 23K640, 23A256 and 23K256 help engineers respond to design changes and upgrades that require extra system RAM for uses such as temporary data storage, scratchpad, bulk processing or mathematical algorithms. Changing to a different MCU with a larger embedded memory increases design costs and can impose unnecessary feature overhead, but Microchip’s serial SRAM devices provide a simple, inexpensive way to add more RAM to an application.

The new serial SRAMs also provide an effective alternative to parallelaccess RAMS, which can consume up to 24 MCU I/Os. The serial RAM devices communicate via SPI, requiring only four I/Os. In some cases, serial SRAM can even allow a smaller MCU to be used.

The 23A640 and 23A256 are 16MHz devices suitable for 1.8V operation. The 23K640 and 23K256 operate at up to 20MHz and from 2.7V to 3.6V. With 3mA read current at 1MHz and 4µA standby current, these devices are compatible with the tight power budgets typical of embedded systems.

 

FEATURES Flexible operating modes: Byte read and write Page mode Sequential mode 32-byte page Hold pin

APPLICATIONS Point-of-sale equipment Industrial systems Security and access control Handheld instruments Domestic appliances

 

 

 

Microchip / 23A256 23A640 23K256 23K640