Energy Optimizers selects Ramtron’s nonvolatile F-RAM memory for wireless energy management plug
(Product News, 27 Jun 2008 )
Ramtron International Corporation announced that UK-based Energy Optimizers Ltd., a designer and manufacturer of ZigBee and Bluetooth smart energy saving devices, has designed Ramtron’s FM25L512 512-kilobit (Kb) serial F-RAM memory device into its series of Plogg wireless energy management plugs. F-RAM’s NoDelay writes, virtually unlimited endurance, and low power provide fast and frequent data logging and storage for this smart power meter that measures, monitors, and controls energy consumption at the point of use – the appliance.
The Plogg monitors energy use of household, medical, office, etc. appliances in volts/amps/watts/kilowatts/kilowatt-hours and records the data in a buffer. Measuring up to 13 different variables, this wireless smart meter plug evaluates how energy is being used, and enables the user to reduce consumption and save money and the environment. The Plogg provides wireless data delivery to computers via Bluetooth or ZigBee technology and allows power consumption to be checked in real time and controlled remotely.
F-RAM instead of EEPROM for Optimal Data Logging In the Plogg, F-RAM provides fast and reliable data storage for up to 5,000 measured values and their associated date/time stamp, at intervals of one minute to one month. When logging at one-minute intervals, the endurance limit of EEPROM is quickly reached, so an alternative nonvolatile memory technology is required. The optimal option is F-RAM, which has virtually unlimited endurance and will not wear out.
About the FM25L512 and F-RAM F-RAM memory offers the benefits of RAM technology, but is nonvolatile. F-RAM provides NoDelay write access, virtually unlimited write endurance (approximately 1e14 write cycles), and low power consumption. The FM25L512 is a 512Kb F-RAM device with an industry-standard serial peripheral interface (SPI). The device reads and writes continuously at bus speeds up to 20 MHz and offers low operating currents. Comparable EEPROM devices have long write delays and write-polling software, endurance limited to less than one million write cycles, and operate at higher power. Available in lead-free, 8-pin SOIC and TDFN packages, the FM25L512 operates at 3 volts over the industrial temperature range. For more product details, visit www.ramtron.com/products/nonvolatile-memory/serial-product.aspx?id=10.
