MT25QL01GBBB1EW9-0SIT Guide: The 1Gb Giant in a WSON8 Package

In the world of embedded memory, NOR Flash is usually the small, reliable chip that boots the system. Typically, these are 16Mb or 64Mb chips.

But what if you need to boot a massive FPGA? Or store a high-resolution graphical interface for a car dashboard?

Enter the Micron MT25QL01GBBB1EW9-0SIT.

This is not your average BIOS chip. It is a 1 Gigabit (128 Megabyte) monster packed into a tiny 8-pin package. It represents the upper limit of what is currently possible in single-die SPI flash density. For engineers working on Xilinx UltraScale FPGAs or 5G networking gear, this chip is often the default choice on the BOM.

This guide decodes its specs, explains the firmware challenges (4-byte addressing), and highlights why it's the successor to the legacy N25Q series.

---

Table of Contents

• 1. Decoding the Part Number
• 2. Technical Specs: Why 1Gb Density Matters
• 3. Hardware: 1.8V and WSON8
• 4. Firmware Challenge: 4-Byte Addressing
• 5. Applications & FPGA Config
• 6. Conclusion

---

1. Decoding the Part Number

Micron part numbers are long, but every letter matters. Here is the breakdown for MT25QL01GBBB1EW9-0SIT:

Code Segment	Meaning	Detail
MT	Manufacturer	Micron Technology.
25Q	Series	High-Performance Serial NOR Flash. (Successor to N25Q).
L	Voltage	1.7V - 2.0V. (Warning: NOT 3.3V compatible!).
01G	Density	1 Gigabit (128 MBytes).
BBB	Die/Rev	Die Revision B, Automotive/Industrial features.
1	Interface	Standard SPI / QSPI.
EW	Package	W-PDFN-8 (WSON8). 8mm x 6mm.
9	Plating	Standard Plating.
-0SIT	Grade	Industrial Temp (-40°C to +85°C).

---

2. Technical Specs: Why 1Gb Density Matters

Historically, if you needed 1Gb of storage, you used NAND Flash (which is cheap but complex to boot from due to bad blocks).

The MT25Q series changes that. It gives you 1Gb of NOR Flash reliability:

• XIP (Execute in Place): You can run code directly from this chip without copying it to RAM first.
• Speed: Supports 133 MHz Quad SPI (STR) and 66 MHz (DTR).
• Endurance: 100,000 Program/Erase cycles and 20-year data retention.

Why 1Gb? Modern high-end FPGAs (like Xilinx Kintex UltraScale) have configuration bitstreams that can exceed 64MB or even 90MB. A standard 512Mb (64MB) chip is simply too small. The 1Gb MT25Q holds the entire bitstream with room to spare for user data.

---

3. Hardware: 1.8V and WSON8

Voltage Warning

The "L" in the part number stands for Low Voltage (1.8V).

• Do NOT connect this to a 3.3V rail. It will fry.
• If your MCU/FPGA is 3.3V, you need level shifters, or you should look for the MT25QU series (The "U" stands for 3V).

The WSON8 Advantage

Traditionally, high-density chips used large BGA-24 packages. This chip uses WSON-8 (8x6mm).

• Pin Compatible: It uses the same footprint as smaller 64Mb or 128Mb chips. This allows designers to layout a board that supports capacities from 64Mb all the way up to 1Gb without changing the PCB.
• Thermal Pad: It has a large exposed pad on the bottom. This must be soldered to the PCB ground plane for heat dissipation and mechanical stability.

---

4. Firmware Challenge: 4-Byte Addressing

This is the #1 issue firmware engineers face with this chip.

Standard SPI Flash commands use 3-byte addresses (24 bits). $$2^{24} = 16,777,216 \text{ bytes} = 16 \text{ Megabytes}$$

Since this chip is 128 Megabytes, 3-byte addressing can only access the first 12.5% of the memory.

• The Solution: You must issue a command to switch the chip into 4-Byte Addressing Mode (usually command 0xB7).
• Bootloader Support: Ensure your bootloader (U-Boot, FSBL) supports 4-byte addressing, or the system will crash when trying to read beyond 16MB.

---

5. Applications & FPGA Config

Xilinx / Intel FPGA Configuration

This is the "Gold Standard" chip for FPGA configuration.

• It supports the fast Read commands required to boot FPGAs within the stringent PCIe timing requirements (usually <100ms).
• VCC Constraints: Since modern FPGA I/O banks often run at 1.8V, this chip connects directly without level shifters.

Automotive Infotainment

Used to store high-res icons, fonts, and boot code for digital instrument clusters. The NOR architecture ensures instant-on performance (no loading screen lag).

---

6. Conclusion

The Micron MT25QL01GBBB1EW9-0SIT is a critical component for high-performance embedded systems. It solves the capacity problem of NOR flash while maintaining a tiny footprint. However, engineers must be vigilant about the 1.8V supply requirement and the firmware implications of 4-byte addressing.

Sourcing Micron High-Density Flash Supply chains for high-end memory can be tight. Visit Aichiplink.com to check verified stock of the MT25QL01GBBB1EW9-0SIT and avoid production delays.

Search MT25QL01GBBB1EW9-0SIT Stock Now

 

 

 

 

 

Written by Jack Elliott from AIChipLink.

 

AIChipLink, one of the fastest-growing global independent electronic   components distributors in the world, offers millions of products from thousands of manufacturers, and many of our in-stock parts is available to ship same day.

 

We mainly source and distribute integrated circuit (IC) products of brands such as Broadcom, Microchip, Texas Instruments, Infineon, NXP, Analog Devices, Qualcomm, Intel, etc., which are widely used in communication & network, telecom, industrial control, new energy and automotive electronics. 

 

Empowered by AI, Linked to the Future. Get started on AIChipLink.com and submit your RFQ online today!