Ramtron extends capability of its nonvolatile state saver family with new 4-bit products
(Technology News, 20 Sep 2007 )
Ramtron International Corporation, a leading developer and supplier of nonvolatile ferroelectric random access memory (F-RAM) and integrated semiconductor products, expanded its nonvolatile state saver family with the quad state saver – a 4-bit F-RAM-based device that retains logic states without power and restores outputs automatically upon power up. Any change in state is automatically recorded in the nonvolatile ferroelectric latch, which is possible due to the fast writes, low power, and extremely high endurance of F-RAM memory technology.
The FM111x 4-bit state savers are available in three variations: the FM1110, which operates 5 volts, and the FM1112 and FM1114, which operate at 3 volts. As simple to use as a dual latch or D-type flip-flop, the FM111x operates like a conventional logic building block, but stores and retains the logic state in the absence of power, simplifying the design of system control functions in applications such as switch interfaces, shift registers, relay drivers, LED drivers, recording error flags, power down state detection, tamper indicators, door open indicators, motor on/off control, DIP switch replacement, jumper replacement, and other nonvolatile logic circuits. The FM1114 is unique in its ultra low standby current of less than .5µA, making it ideal for portable, battery-powered, and low-power applications such as octal latches and nonvolatile counters.
“The FM111x is a natural extension of the 2-bit state saver, and was developed for our customers whose applications require more data,” explains Craig Taylor, Ramtron Director of Technical Marketing. “The 4-bit state saver is the second product line in an evolving family of truly novel products. F-RAM technology uniquely enables this capability due to its fast write time, low power, and virtually unlimited endurance.”
This low-power nonvolatile state saver is a logic building block that provides continuous access to nonvolatile system settings without reading a memory. It enables storage of signals that may change frequently and without notice, and it allows the nonvolatile storage of system settings without the system overhead of a serial memory.
Product Features
The FM1110 operates from 4.5 to 5.5 volts, the FM1112 operates from 2.7 to 3.6 V with a low standby current of less than 10µA, and the FM1114 operates from 2.7 to 3.6 V and boasts an ultra low standby current of less than .5µA. All devices change state continuously at 1 KHz, offer an unlimited number of state changes, operate over the industrial temperature range (-40 to +85 degrees C), and come in a 16-pin “green” QFN package. Visit www.ramtron.com/statesaver for more product details.
