10

5298A–SEEPR–1/08

AT24C32C/64C

12. Read Operations

Read operations are initiated the same way as write operations with the exception that the

read/write select bit in the device address word is set to one. There are three read operations:

current address read, random address read and sequential read.

CURRENT ADDRESS READ: The internal data word address counter maintains the last

address accessed during the last read or write operation, incremented by one. This address

stays valid between operations as long as the chip power is maintained. The address “roll over”

during read is from the last byte of the last memory page, to the first byte of the first page. The

address “roll over” during write is from the last byte of the current page to the first byte of the

same page.

Once the device address with the read/write select bit set to one is clocked in and acknowledged

by the EEPROM, the current address data word is serially clocked out. The microcontroller does

not respond with an input zero but does generate a following stop condition (see Figure 12-4 on

page 12).

RANDOM READ: A random read requires a “dummy” byte write sequence to load in the data

word address. Once the device address word and data word address are clocked in and

acknowledged by the EEPROM, the microcontroller must generate another start condition. The

microcontroller now initiates a current address read by sending a device address with the

read/write select bit high. The EEPROM acknowledges the device address and serially clocks

out the data word. The microcontroller does not respond with a zero but does generate a follow-

ing stop condition (see Figure 12-5 on page 12).

SEQUENTIAL READ: Sequential reads are initiated by either a current address read or a ran-

dom address read. After the microcontroller receives a data word, it responds with an

acknowledge. As long as the EEPROM receives an acknowledge, it will continue to increment

the data word address and serially clock out sequential data words. When the memory address

limit is reached, the data word address will “roll over” and the sequential read will continue. The

sequential read operation is terminated when the microcontroller does not respond with a zero

but does generate a following stop condition (see Figure 12-6 on page 12).

Figure 12-1. Device Address

Figure 12-2. Byte Write