Ramtron Announces Highly Integrated Processor Companion Family with 4Kb to 256Kb of Nonvolatile FRAM Memory.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 28, 2003

Single-Chip Solution Replaces Discrete Components to Reduce Cost

and Board Space

Ramtron International Corporation (Nasdaq:RMTR), the leading supplier of nonvolatile ferroelectric memory products, today introduced its FRAM-based Processor Companion family featuring highly integrated support and peripheral functions for processor-based systems. The FM3104, FM3116, FM3164, and FM31256 devices combine a nonvolatile ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) with a real-time clock (RTC), a processor supervisor and additional peripheral functions. Ramtron's Processor Companion family, which is the most integrated FRAM product developed to date, provides commonly needed system functions for a variety of automotive, consumer, communications, industrial, metering, and computing applications.

The FM31X Processor Companion family includes a processor supervisor that features a programmable low-VDD reset, a programmable watchdog timer and a manual reset function. Additional peripherals include a nonvolatile event counter, a lockable 64-bit serial number area and a general-purpose comparator that can be used for an early power-fail (NMI) interrupt or other purpose. Implementing these complementary but distinct functions using an advanced 0.35-micron manufacturing process allows them to share a common interface and combine to fit in a tiny 14-pin SOIC package, replacing the need for multiple parts on a system board. An industry-standard 2-wire bus is used to access the memory and control all functions. All devices operate from 2.7 to 5.5V and are available in 4Kb, 16Kb, 64Kb, and 256Kb densities.

"No other processor support chip has the unique nonvolatile memory features of unlimited endurance and fast read/write," stated Mike Alwais, vice president, FRAM products, at Ramtron. "The Processor Companion family also gives system designers the most highly integrated system management solution to support virtually any microcontroller- or microprocessor-based design. Through the careful integration of nonvolatile memory, all individual features are improved versus discrete versions and the total package achieves superior bill-of-material cost and board space," he said.

Features of the Processor Companion:

Processor Supervisor - provides a host processor with two basic functions: detection of power supply fault conditions and a watchdog timer to escape a software lockup condition. A reset pin (/RST) drives the processor-reset input during power faults, power-up and -down, and software lockups. The reset pin also provides a switch debounce function to facilitate manual reset inputs.

Early Power-Fail Interrupt - an early power-fail warning can be provided to the processor well before VDD drops out of specification. The comparator is used to create a power-fail interrupt (NMI). This is ideal for saving critical data in nonvolatile FRAM.

Serial Number - a separate memory location to write a 64-bit serial number is provided. It is a writeable nonvolatile memory block that can be locked by the user once the serial number is set. Once locked, the serial number can't be altered.

Real-Time Clock (RTC) Operation - a timekeeping device that can be battery- or capacitor-backed for permanently powered operation. It offers a software calibration feature that provides high accuracy.

Event Counter - offers the user two battery-backed event counters, which are 16-bit each, cascading to one 32-bit counter, including a programmable edge detect. This unique counter can be used to log system intrusions (tamper events) or virtually any other general-purpose event.

Backup Power - the real-time clock/calendar is intended to be permanently powered. When the primary system power fails, the voltage on the VDD pin will drop. When VDD is less than 2.5V, the RTC (and event counters) will switch to the backup power supply on VBAK. The backup source can be either a battery or capacitor.

Trickle Charger - facilitates capacitor backup. The VBAK pin can optionally provide a trickle charge current. Data is nonvolatile so data won't be lost if the capacitor fails.

Memory - the processor companion family is provided with choices of 4Kb, 16Kb, 64Kb, or 256Kb of nonvolatile FRAM memory. FRAM memory technology replaces system SRAM or nonvolatile memory since it reads and writes at bus speed with no delay and offers unlimited write cycles.

Pricing and Availability

Samples are available for the FM3104, FM3116, FM3164, and FM31256 in a 14-pin SOIC package, with prices starting at $2.04 for 4Kb, $2.34 for 16Kb, $2.75 for 64Kb, and $3.76 for 256Kb for 10,000-piece quantities.

About the 0.35-Micron and 1T/1C FRAM Technology

Advances in ferroelectric memory design and manufacturing have enabled commercial FRAM products using 0.35-micron geometries and a more efficient 1T/1C memory architecture. The Processor Companion family represents the first commercial advanced nonvolatile memory product featuring 1T/1C memory cells on one of the most widely used semiconductor process nodes.

For more information about FRAM products, go to http://www.ramtron.com/products/producthome.htm.

For 300-dpi product photos and technical diagrams, go to http://www.ramtron.com/press/photoarchive.htm.

About Ramtron

Ramtron develops and markets patented FRAM memories, a new generation of semiconductor memory that combines high-performance and low-power operation with the ability to store data in the absence of power. Due to the product's unique advantages, FRAM memories are expected to revolutionize a variety of electronic consumer and industrial designs.

For more information about Ramtron and its products, contact: Communications Department, Ramtron International Corporation, 1850 Ramtron Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA, 80921. Telephone is 719-481-7000 or 800-545-FRAM (3726); FAX is 719-488-9095; e-mail address is [e-mail]. Homepage is http://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.