How often can an ATtiny85 be flashed?

Question

I wonder how often I can flash an ATtiny85 before the EEPROM will give up.

Solved

Sometimes it is just on the first page of the datasheet:

After the ten-thousanth time...you might ask how long it remains flashed before leaking bits. — glen_geek, Mar 18 '23 at 16:46
How long do you think it will remain flashed before leaking bits? — Tintenfisch, Mar 18 '23 at 16:54
stackexchange has at least an 11-year memory: https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/16183/data-retention-on-a-microcontroller — glen_geek, Mar 18 '23 at 17:01

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 18 '23 at 16:48

1

It reads on the first page of the data sheet.

EEPROM is specified for 100000 write/erase cycles.

It does not depend on how often you do it, no matter how fast or slow it still is 100000 write/erase cycles.

answered Mar 18 '23 at 16:48

Justme

Oh so often, that I didn't expect! – Tintenfisch Mar 18 '23 at 16:53
1

Some caveats apply. The EEPROM page size is 4 bytes so if you write four bytes all four memory locations are erased and written four times. Unless you mean the program flash. That's only 10000. – Justme Mar 18 '23 at 16:58
It seems that I might have meant the flash memory instead of the EEPROM. I use Arduino IDE to upload a simple sketch. To my shame, I don't know what the difference is yet. – Tintenfisch Mar 18 '23 at 17:06
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Then you mean the program memory flash. – Justme Mar 18 '23 at 17:08
Then even 10,000 cycles should be reasonable. I have mistakenly assumed the limit would be way more less (about 50-100 cycles) and so thought it would be risky to flash it too often during development before I finish my project. – Tintenfisch Mar 18 '23 at 17:11

1 Answers1