Ramtron is currently growing a broad line of FRAM nonvolatile memory devices for demanding automotive applications. The company is aggressively pursuing plans to qualify its FRAM parts to AEC Q100 (Automotive Electronic Council's Stress Test Qualification for Integrated Circuits) standards, and is developing a number of FRAM configurations specified for the Grade 1 (-40 degrees to 125 degrees C) operating range. This qualification program has been developed to support a number of specific customer design-ins that are already in place.
"We are committed to meeting the design and sourcing challenges in the automotive industry with this line of AEC Q100-qualified FRAM parts," says Ramtron vice president Mike Alwais. "No other nonvolatile memory solution can match FRAM's fast write speed and high endurance. These latest developments are taking FRAM beyond in-cab applications into the vehicle's most stringent environments."
The AEC Q100-qualification program comes in tandem with the growing need for better nonvolatile data storage solutions in automotive sub-systems. Electronic content in vehicles is becoming 'smarter' with the use of microcontrollers and sensors; FRAM already plays a vital role in high-content applications such as intelligent airbags, occupant sensors, infotainment systems, anti-pinch/trap sunroofs, automatic transmission, adaptive cruise control, steer by wire, etc. because it offers what older memories like EEPROM and Flash cannot: fast writes, high endurance and low power consumption.
About FRAM
FRAM has three major benefits compared with other nonvolatile memory choices: fast write speed, high write endurance, and low power consumption. Fast writes are beneficial when capturing data from sensors, especially in noisy automotive environments or when power may suddenly fail. High endurance enables designers to capture information as often as they wish without the risk of wearing out the memory. Low power is an added benefit in applications with ever-lower power budgets such as car entertainment systems.
About Convergence 2006
Convergence is a premier automotive electronics conference that unites the world's leading electronics technologists, engineers, and business executives to discuss significant topics related to the future of electronics in automobiles. This year's theme is "Convergence Reinvents the Automobile" and the conference will explore the powerful convergence of advanced electronics, propulsion, materials and telematics. Convergence 2006 will take place at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan. For more information, please visit the conference website at http://www.sae.org/events/convergence.
About Ramtron
Ramtron International Corporation, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is a fabless semiconductor company that designs, develops and markets specialized semiconductor memory and integrated semiconductor solutions used in a wide range of product applications and markets worldwide. For more information, visit www.ramtron.com.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements herein that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" involving risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: the effect of global economic conditions, shifts in supply and demand, market acceptance, the impact of competitive products and pricing, product development, commercialization and technological difficulties, and capacity and supply constraints. Please refer to Ramtron's Securities and Exchange Commission filings for a discussion of such risks.
CONTACT: Catherine Cohen (514) 871-2447 x 112 Email Contact