EERAM memory solutions retain data at power loss
29 January 2020
DSP, Micros & Memory
Microchip Technology announced a new family of Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) EERAM memory products that offers system designers up to 25% cost savings over the current serial non-volatile ram (NVRAM) alternatives. The family introduces four reliable SPI densities to Microchip’s EERAM portfolio, ranging from 64 Kb up to 1 Mb.
Applications from smart meters to manufacturing lines, that require repetitive task data-logging, must be able to automatically restore content if power is disrupted during processing. Current low-density (64 Kb to 1 Mb) NVRAM solutions used for these data logs are typically the highest price-per-bit memory in the resulting end products.
EERAM is a standalone non-volatile RAM memory that uses the same SPI and I2C protocols as serial SRAM, enabling devices to retain SRAM content during power loss without using an external battery. All non-volatile aspects of the part are essentially invisible to the user. When the device detects power going away, it automatically transfers the SRAM data to non-volatile storage and moves it back to the SRAM once power returns to the part. In manufacturing lines, for example, stations handle up to millions of tasks over their lifetimes and lost data during a task can require overhauling or discarding items. EERAMs automatically store SRAM content in these settings, allowing the manufacturing line to resume where the task was disrupted.
The primary reason EERAM is available at a lower price point is the use of standard CMOS and Flash processes. Because these are the highest volume and most widely used processes, they offer the best reliability and lowest cost in the industry.
Alternative solutions such as Ferroelectric RAM (FRAM) use a specialty process, resulting in much higher costs and unstable long-term supply. The new EERAM family comes with Microchip’s customer-driven obsolescence practice, which helps ensure availability to customers for as long as needed.
The following devices are available in 8-pin SOIC, SOIJ and DFN packages in volume production:
• 48L640: 64 Kb SPI.
• 48L256: 256 Kb SPI.
• 48L512: 512 Kb SPI.
• 48LM01: 1 Mb SPI.
Further reading:
High reliability memories
Altron Arrow
DSP, Micros & Memory
Infineon’s mil-temp memories offer a wide selection of volatile and non-volatile memories for applications that meet QML-Q certifications and offer support for mil-aero applications.
Read more...
KIOXIA pioneer new 3D Flash technology
EBV Electrolink
DSP, Micros & Memory
KIOXIA Corporation and Sandisk Corporation have pioneered a state-of-the-art 3D flash memory technology, setting the industry benchmark with a 4,8 Gb/s NAND interface speed, superior power efficiency, and heightened density.
Read more...
Artificial intelligence meets embedded development
Avnet Silica
DSP, Micros & Memory
Microchip Technology is leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to assist software developers and embedded engineers in writing and debugging code with the launch of its MPLAB AI Coding Assistant.
Read more...
Embedded module for AI vision applications
Rugged Interconnect Technologies
DSP, Micros & Memory
The TQMa95xxSA supports AI/ML with vision applications through an integrated NPU and an image processor unit.
Read more...
High-speed Flash for SoC applications
NuVision Electronics
DSP, Micros & Memory
GigaDevice has unveiled the GD25NE series of dual-power supply SPI NOR Flash chips, designed specifically for 1,2 V system-on-chip (SoC) applications.
Read more...
Super-fast H.264 encoder FPGA core
EBV Electrolink
DSP, Micros & Memory
An ITAR-compliant H.264 core designed for AMD FPGAs provides baseline H.264 support and is currently the smallest and fastest FPGA core in the industry.
Read more...
ST MCUs extend ultra-low power innovation
Altron Arrow
DSP, Micros & Memory
STMicroelectronics has introduced new STM32U3 microcontrollers with cutting-edge power-saving innovations that ease deployment of smart connected tech, especially in remote locations.
Read more...
Chipset enables ultra-wide signal capture
RFiber Solutions
DSP, Micros & Memory
Jariet Technologies has developed Electra, a chipset that enables ultra-wide, multi-function and multi-band signal capture and generation from a single component.
Read more...
SoC for real-time AI at the edge
Future Electronics
DSP, Micros & Memory
Ambiq’s Apollo330 Plus series is purpose-built to enable always-on and real-time AI inferencing on devices.
Read more...
Evaluation kit for ML applications
Future Electronics
DSP, Micros & Memory
The hardware kit includes radar, acoustic, pressure and motion sensors and integrates dual Arm Cortex-M4 and Cortex-M0+ CPU cores.
Read more...
printer friendly version