Intel TP28F010-120: A Deep Dive into the 1-Megabit EEPROM Memory Chip

In the landscape of late 1980s and 1990s computing, the evolution of non-volatile memory was a critical enabler for increasingly complex hardware and software. Standing as a significant milestone in this journey was the Intel TP28F010-120, a 1-megabit (128KB) EEPROM chip that became a workhorse for firmware storage in a wide array of systems.

Unlike its predecessor, the EPROM, which required removal from the circuit and erasure under ultraviolet light, the TP28F010 was an Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM). This key characteristic meant it could be reprogrammed in-system, a revolutionary feature that dramatically simplified the process of updating firmware for manufacturers and developers. The "120" in its part number denotes a 120ns maximum access time, indicating its speed for read operations and ensuring it could keep pace with the microprocessors of its era.

The chip was built on Intel's advanced FLOTOX (Floating Gate Tunneling Oxide) technology. This cell structure allowed for electrical charges to be added or removed from the floating gate, representing the 1s and 0s of data. A major advantage of this design was its byte-alterability; individual bytes could be erased and rewritten without needing to erase the entire chip, offering a level of flexibility that was previously unavailable.

Housed in a 32-pin DIP (Dual In-line Package), the TP28F010-120 operated on a single +5V power supply for read, program, and erase operations, simplifying power supply design. It featured a JEDEC-standard pinout, ensuring second-source compatibility from other manufacturers, which helped it become an industry standard. The chip also incorporated several hardware and software data protection features to prevent accidental corruption of the stored firmware.

Its applications were vast and critical to the computing revolution. The Intel TP28F010 was commonly found storing the BIOS in personal computers, the boot code and firmware in peripherals like hard disk drives and modems, and in various industrial control systems where reliable, updatable non-volatile storage was essential.

ICGOOODFIND

The Intel TP28F010-120 was far more than just a memory chip; it was a foundational technology that enabled the era of in-system firmware updates. Its combination of electrical erasure, byte-level programmability, and standardized compatibility made it an indispensable component, bridging the gap between the inflexible world of EPROMs and the highly flexible flash memory that would follow.

Keywords:

EEPROM

Non-volatile Memory

In-system Programmability

FLOTOX

Firmware Storage