The STMicroelectronics M24C02-RDS6TG is a 2 Kbit serial EEPROM organized as 256 x 8 bits, accessed through an I2C interface at clock frequencies up to 400 kHz. The 900 ns access time defines the read-cycle latency on the bus — at 400 kHz the bus itself is the bottleneck, not the memory. Write-cycle time is 5 ms per word or page, typical for this density class. The 8-MSOP package is a compact surface-mount footprint suited for space-constrained PCBs in industrial control, sensor modules, and embedded systems where a small non-volatile parameter store or calibration table is needed.
This part carries an official product status of Obsolete. STMicroelectronics has discontinued production, and no last-time-buy window is indicated in the available records. For a BOM line that currently specifies the M24C02-RDS6TG, the immediate decision is whether a pin-compatible drop-in exists or a board spin is required. The base product number M24C02 covers a family of 2 Kbit I2C EEPROMs in multiple packages (SOIC, TSSOP, UFDFPN) and temperature grades — a same-function variant in a different package may be easier to source, but the 8-MSOP package itself is the constraint. If the board layout can accommodate a slightly larger footprint, the M24C02 family in SOIC-8 or TSSOP-8 remains widely available through standard distribution.
The I2C interface is open-drain, so the bus pull-up resistors set the logic-high voltage — the device's own VCC determines its input thresholds. At 1.8 V operation, the access time and write cycle remain within spec, though the bus speed may be limited by the RC time constant of the pull-ups and trace capacitance. For a design migrating from 5 V to 3.3 V, this part eliminates one voltage translation component.
8-MSOP package — rework and layout notes
It reflows well with standard lead-free profiles, but the small pad size and tight pitch make hand-soldering tricky — a hot-air station with a fine nozzle is the practical method for rework. The package has no exposed thermal pad, so all heat dissipation is through the leads and the PCB copper. For layout, keep the I2C pull-up resistors close to the device to minimize stub length, and route the supply trace with enough width for the low DC current (microamps in standby, a few mA during write).