Ramtron upgrades 64-Kb Serial FRAM Memory to +125C for demanding automotive systems
(Product News, 20 Sep 2007 )
Ramtron International Corporation, a leading developer and supplier of nonvolatile ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) and integrated semiconductor products, expanded its line of FRAM Grade 1 automotive parts, qualifying an additional 64-kilobit (Kb) serial FRAM device to operate over the entire automotive temperature range of -40 to +125 degrees Celsius. The FM25640-GA – a 5-volt, 64Kb FRAM with a high-speed serial peripheral interface (SPI) – is now Grade 1 AEC-Q100 specified, making it suitable for automotive applications under the hood, as well as in the passenger cab.
FRAM’s fast writes and high endurance are ideal for automotive systems that continuously log data. These include powertrain, smart airbags, active steering, and other systems that require fast and frequent data writes. Within the powertrain, FRAM constantly records driving style so that the gearbox can adapt itself accordingly. In a smart airbag, FRAM collects occupant size and position data continuously to ensure that the airbag deploys safely during a crash. For active steering, FRAM stores steering angle data rapidly and frequently.
“As automobile technology moves from crash worthiness to crash avoidance, the need for data gathering significantly increases. FRAM is the ideal memory for this emerging technology,” says Duncan Bennett, Ramtron International Strategic Marketing Manager. “These benchmark qualifications enable designers to take advantage of FRAM in their designs, and represent our commitment to meeting emerging technological trends in the automotive market.”
About the FM25640-GA
The FM25640-GA is organized as an 8,192 x 8-bit nonvolatile RAM with a fast SPI to enhance the high-speed write capacity of FRAM technology. A superior hardware replacement for comparable EEPROMs, this device reads and writes at bus speed, with virtually unlimited endurance and low power. It is guaranteed to retain data for 9,000 hours at +125 degrees C and 17 years at +55 degrees C and includes an advanced hardware and software write protection scheme to prevent inadvertent writes and data corruption. The FM25640-GA operates at 5 volts over the automotive temperature range and is available in a RoHS-compatible, 8-pin SOIC package. For more Ramtron FRAM memory automotive products, visit www.ramtron.com/doc/Applications/Automotive.asp.
