New 256 Kb F-RAM devices with SPI and I2C serial interfaces from Ramtron

The two new serial nonvolatile 256 Kb F-RAM products from Ramtron provides a high-speed read/write performance, include the FM24V02, a two-wire (I2C) interface and the FM25V02 with serial peripheral interface (SPI).

"The 256-Kilobit V-Family serial devices are lower voltage, higher performance alternatives to our existing 256 Kb serial products, specifically the FM24L256 and FM25L256B," explains Ramtron marketing manager, Mike Peters. "Our expanding V-Family product line supports our environmental commitment to provide power-efficient nonvolatile memory, while eliminating the need for batteries."

The FM24V02 performs write operations up to the full I2C bus speed of 3.4 MHz, while supporting legacy timing for 100 kHz and 400 kHz. No write delays are incurred and the next bus cycle may commence immediately without the need for data polling and it offers up to 100-trillion read/write cycles, which are orders of magnitude higher than EEPROM. The FM24V02 exhibits much lower power during writes than EEPROM since write operations do not require an internally elevated power supply voltage for write circuits. It operates at 150 microamps at 100 kHz, with 90 microamps in standby and 5 microamps during sleep mode.

The FM25V02 consumes only 3 milliamps while running at a 40 MHz SPI clock rate, 90 microamps during standby, and 5 microamps during sleep mode. The FM25V02 offers a typical active power consumption of 38 microamps per MHz, which is an order of magnitude lower current than similar serial Flash or EEPROM products.

Both the chips hold read-only Device Id for the host to determine the manufacturer, product density, and product revision. An optional unique read-only serial number is also available to identify a board or system with an ID that is different from any other host in the world.

Package: 8-pin SOIC package.

Price:
FM24V02: Each $2.39 in 10K pieces
FM25V02: Each $2.35 in 10K pieces

Availability: Now

For further details visit www.ramtron.com