FRAM

Non-Volatile Ferroelectric Random-Access Memory (FRAM)

Product Information

Overview

The industry's largest FRAM (Ferroelectric Random Access Memory) supplier, Fujitsu was the first company to embed FRAM into CMOS logic in 1998 and to release the industry's first production quantities in 1999. FRAM is the new generation of nonvolatile memory that outperforms existing memories like E²PROM and Flash, consumes less power and offers higher speed and endurance to multiple read-and-write operations. FRAM is non-volatile, but operates in other respects like RAM. This breakthrough storage medium is used in a variety of applications including smart cards, RFID, security and many other applications that require high-performance nonvolatile memory.

Fujitsu is the first semiconductor manufacturer to establish an embedded FRAM process. Fujitsu's FRAM devices are produced at the Mie plant, which is ISO9002 and ISO14001 certified.

Fujitsu provides Standalone FRAMs, FRAM for RFIDs as well as COT, foundry and custom design services.

FRAM Material

PZT (Pb {ZrTi}O3), perovskite-type structure (ABO3) is commonly used as a typical ferroelectric material. An electric polarization of PZT (shift up/down of Zr/Ti atom) remains after applying and removing an external electric field, from which a non-volatile property results. As a result, the power consumption required for data storage is very low.

Advantages of FRAM

The benefits of FRAM include:

• FRAM is 30,000 times faster than E²PROM
• FRAM provides 1 million times higher endurance over E²PROM
• FRAM offers 200 times lower power consumption than E²PROM
• FRAM integrates excellent tamper prevention techniques

Product Overview and Lineup

Fujitsu provides Standalone FRAMs, FRAM for RFIDs as well as COT, foundry and custom design services.

Standalone FRAM

Overview

Standalone FRAM offers flexibility to assimilate FRAM to any system that requires high-speed non-volatile memory. FRAM does not required battery to back up its data. This saves significant cost and board space in the overall system. Very often it can be used for storing settings, configuration, status of the devices and use the data later. These stored data can be use for resetting the devices, analyses the last status and activate recovery actions and so on. Byte-wise random access make memory management more efficient.

FRAM is simply a high-speed nonvolatile memory that runs like a RAM. This allows flexibility for programmers to assign ROM and RAM memory mapping depending on their need. It creates opportunity for end users to program FRAM at the ground to customize to their individual preference. Standalone FRAM allows creativity of designers to explore and employ FRAM in a wide range of design.

FRAM Based Radio Frequency Identity (RFID) Chip

Overview

RFID technology has become an essential means of maintaining an audit trail at the item level. The industry is no longer satisfied with the limited information that is available through magnetic strips or barcodes. Larger amounts of information, including ID, historical records, and tracking records, are required to be stored with each individual product. Traceability at difference stages of the supply chain is essential to ensure quality products and services through monitoring from each process stage. FRAM for RFID is an ideal technology to enable robust tracking applications.

Customer-Owned-Tooling (COT) and Foundry Services for FRAM-based products

There is a growing demand for top-down design especially from fabless companies. Fujitsu actively supports a variety of third-party tools. Fujitsu offers an opportunity for customers to access the FRAM technology, the next-generation memory, and incorporate it into their products. In this scenario, customers design the logic and layout using their own tools, while adhering to Fujitsu's process rules. Fujitsu performs design rule checks, mask making and wafer fabrications.

Other technical and/or business support requirements can also be discussed separately. Please contact your Fujitsu sales offices to work out the best solution for you.

Resources

Development Tools

Watch a speed demo of FRAM in action!

Documentation

Product Information

Articles

• PDF FRAM-Embedded Large-Capacity, High-Speed RFID LSI FerVID Family, MB89R118

Fact Sheets

• PDF FRAM Standalone Memory Products

Brochures

• PDF FRAM RFID Products Brochure
• PDF FRAM Brochure

Datasheets

For product datasheets, refer to the Product Lineup tables above.

Other Documentation

• PDF FRAM Guide Book