Instrumentation • Electronics
increasing rapidly due to their speed and durability, especially in applications such as laptops and mobile devices that are more likely to be subjected to physical shock and vibration than static computers (Fig. 2). However, as the memory industry continues to scale NAND flash memory, it sees issues such as limited endurance and high write power. The industry is therefore looking to alternative non-volatile memory technologies such as STT-MRAM. In addition, STT-MRAM has the potential to address technology scaling roadmap challenges of volatile memory such as DRAM and hence can greatly enhance the performance for many volatile memory applications as well. For design engineers seeking to upgrade existing electronic
products or develop higher-performance, higher-reliability, lower-power, next-generation products, the different variants of MRAM offer significant potential. The technology is also at an interesting stage in that there are products available for implementing now, but it is also certain that there will be significant advances over the next few years.
Extreme applications for MRAM
Fig. 3. The BMW S 1000 RR Motorrad Motorsport Super Bike uses a 4 MB MRAM chip to store engine parameters that are optimised prior to each race.
Of course, MRAM also offers benefits in less harsh operating environments, such as solid-state hard disk drives (SSDs) for desktop and laptop computers. In October 2011, Micron Technology, which manufactures SSDs, memory modules and display products, announced a three-year collaboration with Singapore’s A*Star Data Storage Institute (DSI) for the development of high-density STT-MRAM. Current commercial solid state drives (SSDs) use NAND
flash memory rather than the spinning hard disc found in conventional disc drives. Demand for SSDs has been
To illustrate the breadth of applications for which MRAM is suitable, consider the Everspin AEC-Q100 MRAM products that stores critical calibration data onboard the BMW S 1000 RR Motorrad Motorsport Super Bike, which races in the World Superbike series (Fig.3). Prior to each race, the bike’s engine control unit (ECU) is fine-tuned for peak performance and optimised for the rider, track and race conditions. The 4 MB MRAM chip stores adjustable engine parameters relating to, for example, the bike’s fuel injection, ignition, braking and acceleration. Because the memory is always non-volatile, a power loss after the data has been written to the MRAM does not affect data integrity. Furthermore, the MRAM has an extended operating temperature range of -40 to +125°C to provide the required level of reliability. l
New eddy current sensors equipped with integrated EEPROM chip
M
icro-Epsilon is now offering a completely new series of eddy current
sensors. The new eddyNCDT 3100 series includes a special, compact controller and corresponding new sensors.
Sensors and cables are equipped
with an integrated EEPROM chip, which includes all critical characteristics. In the case of a sensor needing
to be replaced, only a simple 3-point calibration is required. All important configuration and set up parameters are automatically transmitted from the sensor to the controller. All sensors are factory calibrated to adjust to ferromagnetic and
20
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non-ferromagnetic materials. Therefore, a precise definition of the measuring object is not required in advance. The controller housing, including mounting rail, is made from aluminium and protected to IP65. The device itself does not have any
viewable operational functions. All settings are carried out via a web browser independently of the operating system. Therefore, no additional software is required. The sensors are securely connected using a PTFE cable of 3m or 9m in length and protected to IP67. Seven sensor models are
currently available, covering all common applications. Further
sensor models will follow. l Enter 20 or ✔ at
www.engineerlive.com/ede
MICRO-EPSILON Messtechnik GmbH & Co KG is based in Ortenburg, Germany.
www.micro-epsilon.de
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