What’s the difference between, FRAM, F-RAM and FeRAM?, Well it’s the same thing!, it's Ferroelectic RAM. Texas Instruments (TI) are among the first to offer a family of Microcontrollers with embedded FRAM with their MSP430 Micro range, “big deal, just another Microcontroller”, you may say!, so what’s all the fuss about?.
FRAM isn’t a new technology by any means, in fact it’s origin dates back to the 1950’s but wasn’t really commercially available until the late 1990’s. TI were among the first to seriously peruse the technology in conjunction with Ramtron, which offers some significant benefits over Flash Technology.
So why produce a Microcontroller with FRAM?, FRAM is a non volatile memory that is one of a growing number of technologies that offers the same functionality as Flash, however, compared to Flash it costs more, so why should you use it?
Is Low Power and Data Integrity import to you?
Flash based micro’s may be cheaper and have higher storage densities, however FRAM is a lower power technology offering faster write times and practically an Infinite number of write-erase cycles. FRAM is also a very robust technology ideal for harsh environments allowing better data retention, which is more resistant to data corruption as the Ferroelectric material used to build it is highly resistant to magnetic fields and radiation. So what I’m saying is that perhaps it’s benefit to you is more about your application perimeters and the environment it’s being used in! You may save some costs using traditional Micro’s with Flash, but if your application is to be used in a more Industrial, Medical, Scientific type environment, it’s worth considering that the advantages you gain from FRAM should help you obtain better reliability and longevity for your products once they are out in the field.
So, do I think FRAM will replace Flash as a technology in the near future?, FRAM and Flash are compatible, so they are competing rather than an alternative technologies. Perhaps for Microcontrollers requiring on board memory this is a possibility, and economies of scale could bring the cost down. In terms of replacing stand alone Flash, right now, I think not, as the FRAM technology can’t compete with the densities demanded by today’s consumer portable applications.
Very soon RS will have devices and evaluation boards availible, so keep an eye out on DesignSpark and the RS website, and as soon as I get further details I will share this with you all.
What are your thoughts and experiences with FRAM?, have you used it?
Associated links
MSP430 Design Centre
MSP-EXP430FR5739 - Experimenter Board
FRAM at TI.com
Electronics at RS Components
