Product category:
Memory Devices and Modules
News Release from: Ramtron International | Subject: FM3127x/L27x
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 21 January 2008
Processor companion brings more to the
party
Companion devices with up to 256Kbit of ferroelectric RAM include a more efficient trickle charger and a real-time clock that requires only a standard 12.5pF external watch crystal.
Ramtron has upgraded its FM31x processor companion family to include a more efficient trickle charger and a real-time clock (RTC) that requires only a standard 12.5pF external watch crystal The new FM3127x/L27x processor companion features 4, 16, 64, or 256Kbit of nonvolatile ferroelectric RAM, a high-speed two-wire interface and highly integrated support and peripheral functions for advanced processor-based systems
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 4 Jul 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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Ramtron's new processor companion is a single-chip solution that replaces discrete components and reduces cost and board space in processor-based designs.
It supports commonly needed system functions in a variety of metering, consumer, communications, industrial, and computing applications.
"We have improved the FM3127x/L27x processor companion to deliver features requested by our customers", explains Craig Taylor, Ramtron Director of Technical Marketing.
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"These improvements include an RTC that operates with a low-cost 12.5pF crystal, reducing overall system costs".
"In addition, we have added a superior trickle charger that can typically charge a 1F supercapacitor in less than three hours", adds Taylor.
"This allows designers to use a capacitor as a backup supply without any additional components in advanced metering applications, consumer products that require an RTC and many others systems".
The FRAM on these new processor companions boasts NoDelay writes, virtually unlimited endurance, and low power consumption.
The FM32127x/L27x features an enhanced trickle charger, a 12.5pF external watch crystal, a programmable low-VDD reset, a programmable watchdog timer, a manual reset function, dual battery-backed event counters, a lockable serial number, and a general-purpose comparator that can be used for early warning power-fail interrupts (NMI).
The FM31272, FM31274, FM31276 and FM31278 operate from 4.0 to 5.5V over the entire industrial temperature range (-40 to +85C).
The FM31L272, FM31L274, FM31L276 and FM31L278 operate from 2.7 to 3.6V over the entire industrial temperature range.
An early power-fail warning is provided to the processor well before VDD drops out of specification.
The comparator is used to create a power-fail interrupt (NMI).
This is ideal for saving critical data in nonvolatile FRAM.
A separate memory location is provided to write a 64bit serial number.
It is a writable nonvolatile memory block that can be locked by the user once the serial number is set.
Once locked, the serial number cannot be altered.
The real-time clock (RTC) can be battery- or capacitor-backed for permanently powered operation.
The RTC offers a software calibration feature that provides high accuracy.
It requires only a 12.5pF external watch crystal.
There are wo 16bit, battery-backed event counters cascading to one 32bit counter, including a programmable edge detect.
This unique counter can be used to log system intrusions (tamper events) or virtually any other general-purpose event.
The RTC is intended to be permanently powered.
When the primary system power fails, the voltage on the VDD pin will drop.
When VDD is less then 2.5V, the RTC (and event counters) will switch to the backup power supply on VBAK.
The backup source can be either a battery or capacitor.
The built-in trickle charger enables the user to charge a 1F supercapacitor with no external components in typically less than three hours.
The VBAK pin can optionally provide a trickle charge current.
Data is nonvolatile so it won't be lost if the capacitor fails.
The devices incorporate 4, 16, 64 or 256Kbit of nonvolatile FRAM.
FRAM technology replaces system SRAM and other nonvolatile memories since it reads and writes at bus speed with no delay, virtually unlimited write cycles, low power, and 10-year data retention.
The processor companion is a highly integrated FRAM enhanced system management solution that supports virtually any processor-based design.
By integrating a nonvolatile FRAM, individual system features are improved over discrete versions, creating a single-chip solution with superior bill of material cost and reduced board space.
Samples of the FM3127x and FM31L27x are available now in a RoHS-compliant, 14-pin SOIC package.
Unit pricing begins at US $1.81 in high volumes.
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