ICs

Discrete
 Semiconductors

Opto Electronics

Passive Components

Modules
 (Sub Systems)

Energy Saving!ECO Devices

EEPROMs

FAQ

General

What is an EEPROM?

Short for Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM, EEPROMs are a type of non-volatile memory that allows data to be written to each address via electric signals.
ROHM EEPROMs are capable of an industry best 1 million rewrites and retains data for up to 40 years. ROHM's unique double cell technology has been incorporated into the entire lineup, resulting in remarkably high reliability (zero accidental defects).

What is an I2C BUS?

A serial 2-line bus capable of 400kHz operation, it is the de facto standard interface and is widely used in digital consumer electronics, Bluetooth modules, and large household appliances.

Target Products:
BR24L□□Seriespdf(PDF:788KB)

What is an SPI BUS?

A serial 3-line bus capable of 5MHz operation, it is geared towards high-speed communications and is used primarily in vehicles, wireless LANs, DVCs, DSCs, and the like.

Target Products:
BR25L□□0Seriespdf(PDF:1,395KB)
BR25H□□Seriespdf(PDF:714KB)

What is a Microwire BUS?

A serial 3-line bus capable of 2MHz operation, it is mainly used in vehicles, HDDs, and motherboards.

Target Products:
BR93L□□Seriespdf(PDF:1,565KB)
BR93A□□Seriespdf(PDF:1,540KB)
BR93H□□Seriespdf(PDF:1,526KB)

What is double cell construction?

ROHM's unique high-reliability memory cell construction.
Generally, with competitors, one memory cell is allocated to each bit, resulting in data corruption if the memory cell becomes defective.
ROHM, on the other hand, allocates two cells for each bit. If one cell becomes defective the other takes over, preventing data corruption, protecting the customer's important data.

What is an accidental defect?

This is when a defect occurs by chance in a memory cell during normal operation, resulting in memory corruption.
There are limitations on the number of times an EEPROM memory cell can be rewritten. ROHM guarantees the highest number of rewrites: 1 million times. Companies normally do not normally guarantee a chance defect will not occur within a number of times - they only confirm that all bits are normal at shipping.
ROHM has developed double-cell construction to reduce the rate of chance defects for greater data reliability.

Manufacturing Conditions

Regarding discontinued part numbers.

Please note that we cannot handle discontinued products. We ask that you look into replacement part numbers. Please refer to the discontinued part number list.

Specifications

What situation is assumed when a power interruption occurs during a Write or Read operation in an EEPROM?

The built-in low-voltage write error protection circuit (LVcc circuit) is activated, preventing writing.
Power ON precaution: Please start up the Power On Reset (P.O.R.) circuit to ensure normal operation.

Target Products:
BR24L□□Seriespdf(PDF:90KB)
BR25L□□0Seriespdf(PDF:94KB)
BR93L□□Seriespdf(PDF:145KB)

What is the POR (Power On Reset) circuit?

A function that resets the IC internally when the power is turned ON. When the power is turned ON the internal IC circuits and set pass through an unstable low voltage region as the Vcc rises, making it important to internally reset the IC during power up. The recommended conditions for operating the P.O.R. circuit are indicated the data sheet.

Target Products:
BR24L□□Seriespdf(PDF:90KB)
BR25L□□0Seriespdf(PDF:94KB)
BR93L□□Seriespdf(PDF:145KB)

Does the 1 million data rewrites refer to each address or each page?

It refers to each address.

What types of symptoms occur when the life span for the number of rewrites is exceeded and a defect occurs?

Data corruption may occur.

Does ROHM have EEPROM test results for a data retention period of 40 years? Does a 40-year data retention guarantee 40 years even after 1 million rewrites are exceeded?

Data is guaranteed for 40 years after the last rewrite has ended.

The 5msec rewrite time is the time for writing how many bytes?

It is the amount of time for a single command input.

What is the definition of write time?
What will the write time be for each BUS?

I2C BUS
  Write time is defined as the time it takes to write one byte/page.

Reference Products: The write time of the BR25L□□0 series is 5ms (max.).pdf(PDF:79KB)

SPI BUS
  Write time is defined as the time it takes to write one byte/page.

Reference Product: The write time of the BR25L□□0 series is 5ms (max.).pdf(PDF:43KB)

Microwire Bus (BR93L□□ Series, BR93H□□ Series).
  Write time is the time it takes to write one byte in one Write cycle (WRITE) as well as the time to write all addresses in a single Write All Addresses cycle (WRAL).

Reference Product: The write time of the BR93L□□ Series is 5ms (max.).pdf(PDF:42KB)
   The write time of the BR93H□□ Series is 10ms (max.).pdf(PDF:52KB)

What is the initial default data during shipment?

Relevant Products: BR24L□□Series   →  At shipping, data in all addresses FFh
  BR25L□□0Series  →  At shipping, data in all addresses FFh
  BR93L□□Series   →  At shipping, data in all addresses FFFh

BR24L□□ series software reset

Relevant Products: BR24L□□Seriespdf(PDF:138KB)

What does FAST MODE and STANDARD MODE regarding the BR24L□□ series mean?

Operation at 100kHz max. is called STANDARD MODE, while FAST MODE indicates operation at 400kHz max.
Conditions: 1.8VVcc<2.5V (100kHz max.), 2.5VVcc 5.5V (400kHz max.)

Relevant Products: BR24L□□Seriespdf(PDF:91KB)

Environmental Information

What does ‘RoHS-compliant’ mean?

That ROHM EEPROMs comply with the RoHS Directive.

Related Information:
RoHS compliance

EEPROMs

IC Cross Reference

Find a ROHM product similar to the competitor product by a manufacturer's device number or a manufacturer's name.