
7.
Device Addressing
The 256K EEPROM requires an 8-bit device address word following a start condition to enable the chip for a read or
write operation ( Figure 7-1 ). The device address word consists of a mandatory one, zero sequence for the first four most
significant bits as shown. This is common to all 2-wire EEPROM devices.
Figure 7-1. Device Addressing
1
0
1
0
A2
A1
A0
R/W
MSB
LSB
The next three bits are the A2, A1, and A0 device address bits to allow as many as eight devices on the same bus. These
bits must compare to their corresponding hard wired input pins. The A 2 , A 1 , and A 0 pins use an internal proprietary circuit
that biases them to a logic low condition if the pins are allowed to float.
The eighth bit of the device address is the read/write operation select bit. A read operation is initiated if this bit is high,
and a write operation is initiated if this bit is low.
Upon a compare of the device address, the EEPROM will output a zero. If a compare is not made, the device will return
to a standby state.
Data Security: AT24C256C has a hardware data protection scheme that allows the user to write protect the whole
memory when the WP pin is at V CC .
Atmel AT24C256C [DATASHEET]
8568E–SEEPR–8/2012
9