Fujitsu unveils flash memory alternative chip

JAPANESE HARDWARE OUTFIT Fujitsu has released an 8-bit micro-controller single chip flash memory alternative that uses non-volatile ferroelectric RAM (FRAM).

Flash memory is ubiquitous but Fujitsu is switching to much faster FRAM for its second generation chip, the nattily titled MB95R203A. The company claims that FRAM has a smaller chip footprint and its high write speed avoids waiting for the write operation to complete.

Apparently using FRAM eliminates chip-to-chip interconnects so all internal memory speeds and transactions are improved. This means Fujitsu's MB95R203A chip should offer performance improvements that can't be matched by either flash or E2PROM.

FRAM is non-volatile memory, which means that the MB95R203A chip can retain data in memory without needing electrical power. It can be written, read, wiped and rewritten 100,000 times more than Fujitsu's previous micro-controller chip. The company says the technology offers a ten-year data retention lifetime.

FRAM is also tamper-proof, giving it the edge in data security implementations. Retaining data in non-volatile memory means it won't lose information if the power is accidentally turned off.

OEMs can partition the MB95R203A chip as either ROM or RAM, which Fujitsu reckons makes the device a good candidate for an array of general purpose applications. This means the MB95R203A will likely find a market in consumer electronic devices and industrial systems.

The FRAM upgrade gives the MB95R203A chip an advantage over flash memory but it's much more expensive to manufacture. Fujitsu will likely offset that cost in the price when the MB95R203A ships next month. Integrating FRAM into the MB95R203A will also likely see lower storage capacities in production because it can't handle as much data storage space as Flash can yet. µ