There are many applications, particularly in the medical space, where ferroelectric RAM, or FRAM, is the memory technology of choice. Unlike EEPROM of flash memory, FRAM doesn’t need a high internal voltage for writing operations, thereby increasing both the writing speed and the endurance of the memory.

Also key to medical applications is the fact that the FRAM is resistant to sterilization by gamma rays. This suits the technology for RFID tags in secure environments, enabling traceability of products from the production line to end-of-life.

Fujitsu is one of the leaders in FRAM technology. It offers products in UHF and HF ranges. Capacities in the UHF (860 to 960 MHz) line range from 4 to 72 kbytes. The HF line (13.56 MHz) offers 256 bytes to 9 kbytes. For RFID applications, the company combines the FRAM with an ARM Cortex M3-based microcontroller, all operating at 1.8 V.

Richard Nass