EEPROM combines serial, RF interfaces in one package

SINGAPORE

STMicroelectronics (ST) recently launched a dual-interface EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-only Memory) device that combines a standard I2C serial interface and a standard ISO15693 RF interface for wireless communications with RFID readers in one compact chip package. Targeted at applications in industrial, medical, RFID, automotive, and peripherals, communication and consumer segments, ST’s dual-interface EEPROM features remote programmability and parameters upgrade of electronic devices or equipment anytime during the product lifetime and anywhere in the supply chain.



“EEPROM is not well-known today. When we talk about memory, we talk mainly on DRAM and flash. However, EEPROM is a very critical device in terms of the application reliability and the critical information that it can store, such as calibration data, configuration of the application, traceability, and the identification,” says Damien Leconte, Memories & Secure Microcontrollers Marketing Director, Greater China & South Asia, STMicroelectronics, in an interview with EDN Asia. “Here are two examples: in car radios today, when you store your channel, the info will be stored in an EEPROM in most cases. And then in your engine control, the engine parameters such as injection or engine management are also stored in an EEPROM in most of the latest models today.”

“We saw a need for two interfaces on the same device. That’s how we came to this idea of a dual-interface E2PROM. For the moment, we already have a 64kb product; we will launch the next family of devices in the coming months,” says Leconte.

One key advantage of the product is its ability to be read and programmed remotely anytime during the lifetime of the product, and anywhere in the supply chain. “That’s one of the key advantages of this device. It provides a lot of flexibility in the way you can manage your supply chain, and you can also personalize your device at the last minute before shipping.” Another USP of the device is that it can operate the RF interface without power from the board; that is, it gets its power from the RF field generated by the reader.

ST is one of the leading providers of EEPROM devices worldwide. The company’s product lines include standard EEPROM devices using different serial protocols (I2C, SPI, or µwire) for applications in a wide variety of end-application segments, as well as EEPROMs with RF interfaces (HF ISO 14443 and 15693, and UHF) for RFID applications. It also manufactures custom devices for specific customers. According to Leconte, the company passed the 30-percent market share range in 4Q09, up from 28 percent in the previous quarter. “The size of the market is in the $800 million to $900million last year. It is a stable market in value, but we have seen a strong increase in volume in the last five to 10 years. However this increase in volume has been compensated by the decrease in average selling price, which is common in the semiconductor markets worldwide and in particular in memory devices,” says Leconte.

STMicroelectronics
www.st.com