Microchip Technology Inc., provider of embedded control solutions, announced a new family of Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) EERAM memory products that offer system designers up to 25 percent cost savings over the current serial NVRAM alternatives. The family introduces four reliable SPI densities to Microchip’s EERAM portfolio, ranging from 64 Kb up to 1 Mb.

EERAM is a standalone nonvolatile RAM memory that uses the same SPI and I²C protocols as serial SRAM, enabling devices to retain SRAM content during power loss without using an external battery. All nonvolatile aspects of the part are essentially invisible to the user. When the device detects power going away, it automatically transfers the SRAM data to nonvolatile storage and moves it back to the SRAM once power returns to the part. EERAMs automatically store SRAM content in these settings, allowing the manufacturing line to resume where the task was disrupted.

The reason EERAM is available at a lower price point is the use of standard Complementary Metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) and Flash processes. 

Pricing and Availability

The following devices are available in 8-pin SOIC, SOIJ and DFN packages in volume production. Pricing is in 10,000-unit quantities:

• 48L640 (64 Kb SPI), starting at $0.70
• 48L256 (256 Kb SPI), starting at $1.40
• 48L512 (512 Kb SPI), starting at $2.10
• 48LM01 (1 Mb SPI), starting at $2.90

To purchase products mentioned in this press release, go to Microchip’s full-service channel microchipDIRECT or contact one of Microchip’s authorized distribution partners.

For more information, visit the Microchip website at http://www.microchip.com.