FRAMs as alternatives to flash memory in embedded
designsFerroelectric random access memory (FRAM) is widely known
as a non-volatile, stand-alone memory technology that has been a
part of the semiconductor industry for more than a decade. In
recent years, integrated circuit manufacturers have been
considering FRAM as a strong contender for embedded, non-
volatile memory, as an alternative to flash technology. This
article discusses key technology attributes of FRAM while
exploring specific use cases that demonstrate FRAM’s advantages.
Today there are multiple memory technologies that have the
potential to change the landscape of embedded processing.
However, none so far have surfaced as a strong contender for
replacing flash technology in microcontrollers (MCUs) until
FRAM. What is FRAM? FRAM is non-volatile memory that has power,
endurance and read/write speeds similar to commonly used static
RAM (SRAM). Information stored in an FRAM cell corresponds to
the state of polarization of a ferroelectric crystal tha