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Microchip Launches New ID Family of EEPROMsJun 10, 2013 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- Microchip Technology Inc., a provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions, introduced a family of serial EEPROM devices that feature a pre-programmed 32-bit serial number for customers requiring unique IDs in their applications. According to a release, for applications needing longer than 32-bit IDs, the unique ID can be extended to 48-bit, 64-bit, 96-bit, 128-bit and other lengths by increasing the number of bytes read from memory. Because the 32-bit ID is unique within these devices, any longer bit sequence is also unique. These 2 Kb serial EEPROM devices are available in standard busses, such as I2C, SPI and Microwire, and come with up to 1.5 Kb of memory that can be used as a standard EEPROM. Additionally, Microchip released a 256 Kb I2C unique-ID device, which, in addition to the 32-bit serial number, also contains the IEEE EUI-48 and IEEE EUI-64 MAC addresses. These IDs are in a write-protected area of the memory, giving users up to 224 Kb of EEPROM to use in their applications. Microchip ensures this 32-bit ID is unique across the entire family of 24AA02UID, 24AA025UID, 11AA02UID, 25AA02UID and 24AA256UID unique-ID EEPROM devices. The company also noted it added to its existing EUI-48 MAC Address portfolio by introducing a family with pre-programmed EUI-64 MAC Addresses. These 2 Kb EEPROM devices are available in the I2C, SPI and UNI/O bus, which provide inexpensive access to MAC addresses, and feature up to 1.5 Kb of EEPROM that can be used for storing configuration settings, or as a scratch-pad area for buffering small amounts of data. The 24AA02E64, 24AA025E64, 11AA02E64 and 25AA02E64 serial EEPROM devices have a built-in 64-bit Extended Unique Identifier (EUI) that is needed to identify the network hardware's physical address. These built-in MAC addresses enable designers to buy addresses only when needed, and also eliminate the need for serialization and programming. The EUI-64 networking applications for the new EEPROMs are best suited for those involving Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, FireWire, ZigBee and Microchip's MiWi protocol. These devices excel in a broad range of applications, including those in the consumer (wireless radios and printers, Bluetooth headsets, Internet-enabled LCD TVs and home automation) and industrial (Ethernet, USB and industrial automation) markets. The applications for the new unique-ID devices include those in the consumer, medical, industrial, automotive and networking markets. Examples of ideal end applications include printers, handheld devices, remote sensor modules, audio headsets, device authentication and identification for medical devices, wireless products and battery-operated products. "The need for unique IDs and serial numbers has risen with the growing number of applications needing secure keys for both authentication and identification purposes. These are used in a variety of medical, consumer, connectivity, networking, automotive and wireless applications," said Randy Drwinga, vice president of Microchip's Memory Products Division. "The unique ID devices offer customers an easy, low-cost, plug-and-play solution for adding a serial number or unique ID in their application. With the unique ID pre-programmed into the EEPROM, customers can get started with these devices right away." Microchip Technology Inc. is a provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal analog, and Flash-IP solutions, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. More information: microchip.com/get/PQ51 ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) |