Everspin MR4A16B vs.
Cypress 16Mb NVSRAM
Non-volatile Data Logger Applications
High Frequency Parallel NVSRAM with Multiple
Interface Options
Owner: VBHU
Cypress Confidential
Sales Training 03/15/2013
Everspin MR4A16B Overview
Everspin MR4A16B is a 16Mb (1Mb x 16) parallel MRAM device featuring:
Unlimited read/write endurance
Data retention for >20 years without backup cycle
Functional equivalence to Asynchronous SRAM
Automotive - AEC-Q100 Grade 1 option in TSOP2 package
48 FBGA package and access speed of 35 ns
No battery assembly, reliability, or liability issues
Everspin MR4A16B finds applications in:
Industrial Controllers (Programmable Logic Controller)
High-End Servers and Storage Systems
Routers and Switches
Industrial Automation
Aerospace
Automotive
Everspin MR4A16B
Everspin MR4A16B is the 1st product to market with the highest density
16 Mb parallel non-volatile solution.
Owner: VBHU
Cypress Confidential
Sales Training 03/15/2013
2
Challenges using Everspin MR4A16B
1. MRAM is vulnerable when exposed to external magnetic field
Gaming Machine
Data corruption in the write cycle and soft errors in the read cycle
Reference bits are flipped hard resulting in permanent non-functionality of the entire memory
2. High operating current and standby current with low access speed
High end devices like PLC, servers and gaming machines require operation at high speeds and low
currents
Everspin MR4A16B has a poor access speed of 35 ns
High operating current (Icc–110 mA @ 35 ns) and high standby current (Isb–9 mA)
3. Everspin is a fabless startup company that is financially weak
Limited supply having shipped only ~5 million units till date with lead times of 8 to 10 weeks
Issues regarding long term support and future roadmaps
External magnetic field can
corrupt the critical data which
can create issues in the
transaction process
16 Mb parallel NVSRAM solves these problems
Immune to external magnetic field as NVSRAM is based on secure SONOS technology
Provides an access speed of 25 ns with an operating current of 90 mA and standby current of 0.5 mA
Assured Supply & Customer Support: Long-term supplier with over 20 years of supplying
Concrete past (shipped more than 150 million units) and clear future roadmap to build 32 Mb density parallel NVSRAM after
16 Mb is in production
16 Mb parallel NVSRAM is a fast and reliable product with a stable supply and long term support from
Cypress
Owner: VBHU
Cypress Confidential
Sales Training 03/15/2013
3
MR4A16B vs. 16Mb NVSRAM
MR4A16B
Features & Parameters
16Mb NVSRAM
ASYNC Interface
ASYNC Interface
ASYNC NAND Interface
SYNC NAND Interface
35ns
25ns, 35ns, 200MHz (Sync Interface)
1Mb x 16
2Mb x 8, 1Mb x 16
60mA@35 ns - Read Mode
110mA@35ns - Write Mode
95 mA@25 ns (Read and Write Mode)
9.0mA
0.5mA
Add components
No
Yes, Small Capacitor on Vcap
ECC Enabled
Yes
No
Input / Output Leakage Current
+/- 1uA
+/- 1 uA
Data Retention
20years
20years
3.3V
2.5V, 3V & 5V
Not Available
1.65V -3.6V
48 FBGA,
54 TSOP-2
44 TSOP-2, 54 TSOP-2,
48 TSOP-1, 60 LFBGA, 165 LFBGA
Interface
Access Speed
Memory Organization
Active /Operating Current (ICC)
Stand by current (ISB)
Operating Voltage Core
Operating Voltage I/O
Package Type
The indicated parameters are in the perceived order of importance
Owner: HMLA
VBHU
Cypress Confidential
Sales Training 03/15/2013
4
Customer objections to adopting
16Mb NVSRAM over Everspin MR4A16B
“16Mb NVSRAM uses an additional capacitor for Vcap to perform Autostore operation which consumes
extra board space”
The capacitor is very small in size with the required capacitance of only 27 µF (typical) and max 120 µF
16Mb NVSRAM comes with an embedded RTC (watchdog timer, alarm, clock) which is not available in MRAM
which actually saves more board space.
16Mb NVSRAM + capacitor costs less than 16Mb MRAM
“MR4A16B has ECC functionality in it”
ECC identifies soft memory bit errors which are the errors primarily resulting from an MRAM bit not being correctly programmed.
The errors are identified and corrected during a read or a write cycle.
16Mb parallel NVSRAM doesn’t generate memory bit errors during a read or write cycle so there is no need for ECC in it.
Owner: VBHU
Cypress Confidential
Sales Training 03/15/2013
5
Sales Cautions for 16Mb NVSRAM
Automotive grade option not available
16Mb parallel NVSRAM can’t serve automotive market segments at present
48 FBGA package option missing
Not a direct replacement for the accounts served by 48 FBGA package
Owner: VBHU
Cypress Confidential
Sales Training 03/15/2013
6
16Mb NVSRAM Design Win Example –
Programmable Logic Control (PLC)
NVSRAM Value
Block Diagram
Design Challenges
Secure critical data from spikes in electromagnetic field
Secure storage of real time data during power outages
NVSRAM Solution
Electromagnetic fields have no impact on NVSRAMs
NVSRAM provides reliable data retention during power loss
Suggested Collateral
Training: Parallel nvSRAM
Technical Article: Designing in nvSRAM into PLC
Applications
High end PLC device
from OMRON
Competition
EVERSPIN – MR4A16BCMA35
Owner: VBHU
16Mb NVSRAM safely stores
the run time data at much
faster access speed
Cypress Confidential
Sales Training 03/15/2013
7