To satisfy the automotive industry’s demand for a long-lasting memory and a speedy data logging process, Infineon has introduced two new FRAM devices.
As the market searches for new technology in memory which can provide non-volatility large densities, ferroelectric memory (FRAM) has become an appealing option. In contrast to other memory technologies, which are mostly confined to the academic realm, FRAM has actually seen commercialization.
In the year 2000, Infineon brought the technology to market through its debut of its EXCELON collection. In the coming week, Infineon is further building its FRAM portfolio through its growth of EXCELON for the automotive industry.
Infineon has launched two FRAM devices, in the 1Mbit and 4Mbit density. Image courtesy of Infineon
A Refresher on FRAM
Ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) is one form of non-volatile memory which combines the advantages of memory and ROM. In contrast to traditional RAM, which is able to erase its data if power is cut off, FRAM retains its data in a similar way to the read-only memories (ROM). This distinctive characteristic creates FRAM an extremely sought-after solution for various areas where persistence of data is vital.
In order to achieve this, FRAM operates on the principle of ferroelectricity. the memory cells within FRAM comprise a ferroelectric layer that is sandwiched between electrodes. This layer of ferroelectric has an inherent polarization property that allows it to position itself in two directions as an electric field applies. Two states that represent the binary states 0 and 1. The orientation stays regardless of whether the electric field is gone and the memory becomes non-volatile.
The design of an FRAM cell. Image as a courtesy of ResearchGate
The main benefit that FRAM has over memory types such as Flash as well as EEPROM is the superior writing performance. FRAM is able to write data at speeds that are comparable to RAM, which makes it much more efficient over Flash memory. This is especially useful in applications that require frequent or speedy writing.
Another interesting aspect that FRAM has is its superior endurance. FRAM is able to endure nearly unlimited read/write cycles that is, millions of cycles significantly beyond that of Flash memory. This makes it a solid option for applications that require extensive data logs.
FRAM for Automotive
FRAM is a versatile device in the automotive industry. One of the major benefits that comes with FRAM in this sector is its speedy writing. Automotive systems usually require real-time data logging from sensors with high throughput (like camera sensors). The ability of FRAM to write data swiftly and efficiently without the requirement for a lengthy erase cycle guarantees that crucial data can be saved and retrieved immediately, even in the event of an unexpected power loss.
The nearly endless durability of FRAM is a further advantage in automotive devices, as they are usually built for long-lasting life. In particular, the memory inside these systems is required to be able to endure an enormous number of write and read cycles without degrading. With the capacity to endure more than 10,000 trillion (10 13) read/write cycles, FRAM is a robust and reliable solution to memory for these kinds of applications.
Infineon Adds to Its EXCELON Automotive Offerings
In the last week of this month, Infineon announced the expansion of its EXCELON FRAM line in the automotive industry. The company has added two brand-new products that are automotive-certified to the family, including the CY15B201QN and the CY15B204QN (datasheets connected).
The block diagram from the CY15B201QN. Image by permission of Infineon
The CY15B201QN is a one Mbit FRAM device with a configuration of 128K x 8, and the CY15B204QN is a 4 Mb solution that is logically organized in 8 x 512K. Both devices have some impressive specifications, such as the ability to support 10 trillion cycles of read/write and a data retention period of 121 years, and the power consumption is low, ranging from 0.1 to 0.1 1 uA when in hibernate mode. In addition, both devices are AEX Q100 Grade 1 certified, have temperatures ranging between -40°C to 125°C, and have a speedy SPI interface for communicating.