MR2A16A MRAM

Features: Freescale Semiconductor has announced the launch of

Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM) product MR2A16A. Freescale's

first commercial MRAM product, called the MR2A16A, is appropriate for a variety

of commercial applications such as networking, security, data storage, gaming

and printers. The part is engineered to be a reliable, economical,

single-component replacement for battery-backed SRAM units. The device also

could be used in cache buffers, configuration storage memories and other

applications that require the speed, endurance and non-volatility of MRAM, a

freescale statement said.






MRAM uses magnetic materials combined with conventional silicon circuitry to
deliver the speed of SRAM with the non-volatility of flash in a single, high

endurance device.






Freescale's successful commercialization of this technology could hasten new
classes of electronic products offering dramatic advances in size, cost, power

consumption and system performance.








Bob Merritt, Semico Research, said, “With the commercialization of MRAM,
Freescale is the first-to-market with a technology of tremendous possibilities

and profound implications. Competition to become the first company to market

MRAM technology was fierce. This is a significant achievement that certainly

confirms the dedication of Freescale's engineering team.”






Sumit Sadana, senior vice president, Strategy and Business Development, and
chief technology officer, Freescale, said, “The commercial launch of the

industry's first MRAM product is a major milestone made possible by the

pioneering research of Freescale technologists. It underscores our commitment to

deliver breakthrough technology to our customers to address real-world

challenges.”






The MR2A16A is a commercial temperature range, 3.3 volt device featuring 35
nanosecond read and write cycle times. It is an asynchronous memory organized as

256K words by 16 bits. An industry standard SRAM pinout arrangement allows for

system design flexibility without bus contention. The device is housed in a 400

mil TSOP type-II RoHS package. It is manufactured at Freescale’s 200

millimeter Chandler Fab in Arizona.






MR2A16A is a fast, non-volatile memory with unlimited endurance a combination of
characteristics not available in any other individual semiconductor memory

product. The device is built on a foundation of technology protected by more

than 100 Freescale patents, including toggle-bit switching. The MR2A16A MRAM is

available now from Freescale and selected distributors.