ATmega64A
Figure 7-3. On-chip Data SRAM Access Cycles
T1
T2
T3
clkCPU
Address Valid
Compute Address
Address
Data
WR
Data
RD
Memory Access Instruction
Next Instruction
7.3
EEPROM Data Memory
The ATmega64A contains 2K bytes of data EEPROM memory. It is organized as a separate
data space, in which single bytes can be read and written. The EEPROM has an endurance of at
least 100,000 write/erase cycles. The access between the EEPROM and the CPU is described
in the following, specifying the EEPROM Address Registers, the EEPROM Data Register, and
the EEPROM Control Register.
“Memory Programming” on page 295 contains a detailed description on EEPROM programming
in SPI, JTAG, or Parallel Programming mode.
7.3.1
EEPROM Read/Write Access
The EEPROM Access Registers are accessible in the I/O space.
The write access time for the EEPROM is given in Table 7-5 on page 34. A self-timing function,
however, lets the user software detect when the next byte can be written. If the user code con-
tains instructions that write the EEPROM, some precautions must be taken. In heavily filtered
power supplies, VCC is likely to rise or fall slowly on Power-up/down. This causes the device for
some period of time to run at a voltage lower than specified as minimum for the clock frequency
used. See “Preventing EEPROM Corruption” on page 22. for details on how to avoid problems in
these situations.
In order to prevent unintentional EEPROM writes, a specific write procedure must be followed.
Refer to the description of the EEPROM Control Register for details on this.
When the EEPROM is read, the CPU is halted for four clock cycles before the next instruction is
executed. When the EEPROM is written, the CPU is halted for two clock cycles before the next
instruction is executed.
7.3.2
EEPROM Write During Power-down Sleep Mode
When entering Power-down Sleep mode while an EEPROM write operation is active, the
EEPROM write operation will continue, and will complete before the Write Access time has
passed. However, when the write operation is completed, the oscillator continues running, and
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8160C–AVR–07/09
ATMEL [ ATMEL ]
