Ramtron
FM24CL64
9 May 2001
7/7
Figure 7 Current Address Read
S
A
Slave Address
1
Data Byte
1
P
By Master
By FM24CL64
Start
Address
Stop
Acknowledge
No
Acknowledge
Data
Figure 8 Sequential Read
S
A
Slave Address
1
Data Byte
1
P
By Master
By FM24CL64
Start
Address
Stop
Acknowledge
No
Acknowledge
Data
Data Byte
A
Acknowledge
Figure 9 Selective (Random) Read
S
A
Slave Address
1
Data Byte
1
P
By Master
By FM24CL64
Start
Address
Stop
No
Acknowledge
Data
S
A
Slave Address
0
Address MSB
A
Start
Address
Acknowledge
Address LSB
A
Applications
Clearly the strength of higher write endurance and
faster writes make FRAM superior to EEPROM in all
but one-time programmable applications. The
advantage is most obvious in data collection
environments where writes are frequent and data
must be nonvolatile, but the benefits combine in other
ways. A short list of ideas is provided here.
1. Data collection. In applications where data is
collected and saved, FRAM provides a superior
alternative to other solutions. It is more cost effective
than battery backup for SRAM and provides better
write attributes than EEPROM.
2. Configuration. Any nonvolatile memory can
retain a configuration. However, if the configuration
changes and power failure is a possibility, the higher
write endurance of FRAM allows changes to be
recorded without restriction. Any time the system
state is altered, the change can be written. This avoids
writing to memory on power down when the
available time is short and power scarce.
3. High noise environments. Writing to EEPROM
in a noisy environment can be challenging. When
severe noise or power fluctuations are present, the
long write time of EEPROM creates a window of
vulnerability during which the write can be
corrupted. The fast write of FRAM is complete
within a microsecond. This time is typically too short
for noise or power fluctuation to disturb it.
4. Time to market. In a complex system, multiple
software routines may need to access the nonvolatile
memory. In this environment the time delay
associated with programming EEPROM adds undue
complexity to the software development. Each
software
routine
must
programming before allowing access to the next
routine.
5. RF/ID. In the area of contactless memory,
FRAM provides an ideal solution. Since RF/ID
memory is powered by an RF field, the long
programming time and high current consumption
needed to write EEPROM is unattractive. FRAM
provides a superior solution. The FM24CL64 is
suitable for multi-chip RF/ID products.
6. Maintenance tracking. In sophisticated systems,
the operating history and system state during a failure
is important knowledge. Maintenance can be
expedited when this information has been recorded.
Due to the high write endurance, FRAM makes an
ideal system log. In addition, the convenient 2-wire
interface of the FM24CL64 allows memory to be
distributed throughout the system using minimal
additional resources.
wait
for
complete