Microchip 11AA02E48T-I/TT: Simplifying Networked Device Identity with Integrated EUI-48™

In the rapidly expanding world of IoT and connected devices, establishing a unique, factory-guaranteed identity for each node is a fundamental requirement. The Microchip 11AA02E48T-I/TT addresses this need directly by combining a reliable 2Kbit Serial EEPROM with a pre-programmed, globally unique EUI-48™ node identity. This integration streamlines design and manufacturing processes, offering a compact and efficient solution for a wide range of applications.

This device is built on Microchip’s robust and low-power EEPROM technology. The 2Kb (256 x 8) memory array provides ample non-volatile storage for application data, configuration settings, or system parameters, accessible via a simple industry-standard UNI/O® or I²C serial interface. This flexibility allows for easy integration into various system architectures. The EEPROM features a wide voltage operation range (1.7V to 5.5V), extremely low standby current, and high reliability, making it suitable for both line-powered and battery-operated devices.

The defining feature of the 11AA02E48T is its pre-programmed EUI-48™ (Extended Unique Identifier-48) address. This 48-bit identifier is burned into the device during manufacturing, ensuring it is globally unique and compliant with IEEE® 802 standards. This eliminates the significant logistical overhead for manufacturers of procuring, managing, and programming unique MAC addresses themselves. By providing a hardware-based, immutable identity, it guarantees that every end product can be uniquely identified on a network, which is critical for security, authentication, and node management.

The benefits of this integration are substantial. It reduces the bill of materials (BOM) by combining two components into a single 3-lead SOT-23 package, saving valuable board space. It also simplifies the production flow by removing the MAC address programming step, thereby accelerating time-to-market and reducing potential errors.

Typical applications for the 11AA02E48T-I/TT are vast, including:

IoT Sensors and Modules

Networked Industrial Controls

Medical and Healthcare Devices

Smart City Infrastructure

Consumer Electronics

ICGOODFIND: The Microchip 11AA02E48T-I/TT is an elegant and practical solution for modern connected device design. It successfully merges essential non-volatile memory with a critical, unique network identity in a single, tiny package. By solving the MAC address procurement and programming challenge, it offers designers a path to reduced complexity, enhanced security, and faster product development cycles.

Keywords: EUI-48, Serial EEPROM, Unique Node Identity, UNI/O, IoT Device Security