Ramtron Expands Memory
Marketplace With High-Density,
Non-Volatile FRAM
FM1608 8Kx8 Bytewide FRAM Offers Alternative for Battery-Backed
SRAM Users
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 10, 1999--Ramtron,
Inc., a leading developer of memory products, today announced the market
introduction and availability of the FM1608 8Kx8 Bytewide FRAM, becoming
the first company to produce a commercial 64Kb FRAM product. Now
developers of office equipment, industrial controls and telecom/datacom
storage devices can leverage a high-density FRAM alternative to traditional
battery-backed SRAM configurations to achieve high reliability, superior
performance and lower costs.
''Ramtron is very excited about introducing the FM1608 because it marks
the emergence of FRAM technology into the mainstream,'' said Michael
Alwais, director of marketing at Ramtron. ''Ramtron's recent move to a
fabless business model has allowed us to devote more resources to
developing new technologies, such as high-density FRAM. The commercial
availability of FRAM will inspire more demand in the memory marketplace
and ultimately lead to further advances in memory technology and density.''
FRAM memory combines the high-speed and endurance of widely used
dynamic and static random access memories and the ability to store
information without relying on the power of read-only memory, or ROM.
FRAM memory is ideal for a host of consumer and industrial electronics
products, including communication products, industrial control and
metering systems, palmtop computers and other applications where
nonvolatile data storage is critical.
The FM1608 provides operation comparable to battery-backed SRAM
(BBSRAM) without the batteries. The product's superior write features
provide new system capability for developers that can't employ BBSRAM.
Furthermore, like serial FRAM-products, the FM1608 also replaces
pin-compatible EEPROM-based products with no write delay and much
higher write endurance.
Product Features
Using an advanced 0.5-m FRAM process, the FM1608 is the first truly
nonvolatile RAM. No batteries are required, and the product is free from the
limitations of shadow EEPROMs and so-called NOVRAMs. Read and write
access times are equal, and the technology provides over 10 billion
read/write cycles. Data retention meets industry expectations. The FM1608
features 120 nS read or write access time, 1e10 read/write cycles, 15 mA
active current and a 10-mA standby current. Industrial temperature is -40C
to +85C, 28-pin DIP or SOP.
Compared to battery-backed SRAM, Ramtron's FM1608 offers superior
reliability; battery-free handling; a true surface mount solution; and better
performance in harsh environments such as humidity, shock and vibration.
Since data loss due to battery failures can't occur, the product achieves
high data integrity, and there are no environmental concerns over battery
disposal. The FM1608 is more cost-effective than BBSRAM modules and
much easier to use than discrete implementations.
Pricing and Availability
Soon to be in mass production at Ramtron's foundry partner, the FM1608
demonstrates the company's successful move to a fabless strategy.
Samples of the FM1608 8Kx8 Bytewide FRAM are available immediately,
with pre-production quantities available in 3Q99. Full production is set for
4Q99. The introduction price is $2.50 at 10K.
About Ramtron
Ramtron International Corporation (Nasdaq: RMTR - news) is dedicated to
the design, development, and sale of ferroelectric RAM memory ''FRAM®''
products. The company also develops and markets high-speed enhanced
DRAM ''EDRAM®'' products through its wholly owned subsidiary, Enhanced
Memory Systems Inc. Both companies are headquartered in Colorado
Springs, Colorado.
Contact:
Ramtron
Michael Alwais, 719/481-7131
alwais@ramtron.com
or
Pacifico, Inc.
Darlene Perry, 408/293-8600
dperry@pacifico.com |
