Question: What is the significance of the Temperature parameter in the E2PROM_bE2Write function? What value should I pass for this parameter?
Answer: The Temperature parameter is used by the E2PROM API to calculate the flash write pulse width. At higher temperatures the flash has to be written with a smaller pulse width and at lower temperatures with a longer pulse width. The flash will meet its maximum endurance (erase / write cycles) and data retention values if it is written with the correct pulse width. If the device is going to operate within a temperature range of 0 to 50 degrees, it is ok to pass the value of 25 for temperature.
For operation over the full temperature range, use FlashTemp user module and pass the correct die temperature to the bE2Write function. In devices that do not have the FlashTemp user module, either use an external temperature sensor to sense ambient temperature or pass a fixed temperature to the bE2Write function compromising either the data retention or the endurance.
When the temperature value passed to the API is greater than the operating temperature, the flash will be under programmed resulting in lesser data retention, and higher endurance. So, for applications where you want to have maximum erase / write cycles, but are ok with the data retention degrading by a few years (for example where you store system data to the E2PROM every time power fails), use a temperature value that is near the highest operating temperature.
When the temperature value passed is less than the actual operating temperature, the flash will be over programmed resulting in higher data retention, but reduced endurance. So, for applications where you would like to have maximum data retention but are not concerned about the number of erase / write cycles (for example in a system where you do infrequent calibrations and update the E2PROM), use a temperature value that is near the lower operating temperature.