Occasion knowledge recorders (EDRs) in automotive functions like airbag security methods and superior driver help methods (ADAS) more and more demand specialised data-logging reminiscence units that may immediately seize and reliably retailer vital knowledge for many years.
To handle the necessity for steady knowledge logging in automotive designs, Infineon has expanded its portfolio by including two new ferroelectric RAM (FRAM) reminiscence units in 1-Mbit and 4-Mbit densities to its EXCELON household. The German chipmaker claims that its 1-Mbit units are the trade’s first automotive-qualified serial FRAMs.
The brand new FRAM units declare to attain steady knowledge logging with instantaneous non-volatility to shortly seize pre- and post-collision occasion knowledge and retailer immediately on energy loss. Because of this, it minimizes reliance on massive backup capacitors which will fail throughout a collision or present inadequate cost.
Determine 1 Knowledge logging is increasing in automotive functions pushed by growing electrification and superior security methods. Supply: Infineon
FRAM, a non-volatile reminiscence that makes use of a ferroelectric capacitor product of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) to retailer knowledge, has the traits of each a ROM and a RAM. So, it may be purpose-built for mission-critical knowledge logging, and its adequate non-volatile knowledge storage might be tailor-made for automotive EDR functions.
FRAMs in airbags and ADAS
In EDR settings, Infineon’s Auto FRAM units complement high-density storage like eMMC flash, which can not retailer constantly in real-time and depend on backup capacitors to switch after the collision, risking the lack of vital knowledge. Constantly logging FRAM reminiscence also can ease the load on the embedded SRAM buffer.
Determine 2 FRAMs can seize as much as 20 ms of time-stamped EDR knowledge forward of a collision occasion. Supply: Infineon
Take the case of airbag EDRs that seize from 5 to twenty seconds of time-stamped knowledge metrics in a collision occasion to assist in accident reconstruction and automobile security analysis (Determine 2). And automakers and regulators require that EDRs document no less than three occasions which will happen in a crash or roadway departure.
Then there are ADAS functions that seize front-facing digital camera photographs constantly for 4 seconds earlier than and after a collision-like occasion to assist in accident reconstruction and automobile security analysis. Right here, an FRAM can seize real-time digital camera photographs earlier than and after collision-like occasions and retailer them immediately on energy loss (Determine 3).
Determine 3 FRAMs can seize real-time digital camera photographs earlier than and after collision-like occasions and retailer immediately on energy loss. Supply: Infineon
That clearly makes the case for reminiscence densities tailor-made to particular use instances requiring knowledge logging. “Knowledge logging necessities are rising quickly in automotive methods, as tendencies towards broader use of digital methods and trade rules have inspired the usage of high-reliability non-volatile reminiscences in airbag security methods, together with engine management and battery administration methods,” stated Ramesh Chettuvetty, VP of RAM Options at Infineon.
He added that the zero delay write functionality of those FRAMs permits system knowledge to be captured and recorded as much as the final instantaneous earlier than an accident or different user-defined set off occasion. Right here, zero delay write signifies that it facilitates the write knowledge to reminiscence cells at bus speeds with no soak time to attain instantaneous non-volatility. In different phrases, it eliminates “soak time” by immediately backing up knowledge on energy loss.
Learn/write endurance and velocity
Infineon’s portfolio of automotive FRAM reminiscence units ranges from 4 Kbit to 16 Mbit densities. These FRAMs function quick and dependable learn/write efficiency at speeds as much as 50 MHz in SPI mode and as much as 108 MHz in quad SPI (QSPI) mode. This knowledge switch can match or exceed conventional parallel interfaces whereas decreasing pin rely dramatically.
Subsequent, these FRAMs present limitless write cycle endurance to log knowledge each 10 µs over 20 years. Which means automotive methods like airbags and ADAS can log knowledge constantly over a 20-year product lifespan.
Right here, it’s necessary to notice that low endurance reminiscences like EEPROMs can not retailer constantly in real-time and depend on backup capacitors to switch after the collision, risking the lack of vital knowledge. Then again, these FRAMs declare 10 trillion learn/write cycles of endurance and eat 200 instances decrease energy than EEPROMs for energetic writes.
Each 1 Mbit (CY15B201QN-50SXE) and 4 Mbit (CY15B204QN-40SXE) EXCELON FRAM units are actually in quantity manufacturing.
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