What are the pros and cons of FRAM versus nvSRAM?

[GrCa_1363456]

A 1 Mbit SPI FRAM (FM25V10-G) appears identical to a 1 Mbit SPI nvSRAM (CY14V101Q3-SFXI) from a user perspective.
What are the key differences between these technologies?

For which applications would one be preferred over the other?

Are they interchangeable in a design?

Greg

[PradiptaB_11 · Accepted solution]

Hi Greg,

I will try to list out the major differences between the two products/ part numbers you have mentioned as both are non volatile memories.

1) FRAM will consume less active and standby current than the nvSRAM counterpart and hence more suited for battery backed applications or power constraint applications. 

2) A Capacitor needs to added in the schematics for the VCAP pin for nvSRAM. No capacitor required for FRAM.

3)  Endurance is a measure of the number of times the SRAM data can be stored into nonvolatile memory before the cell wears out. In the nvSRAM, the user performs writes to the SRAM portion of chip, which has no wear out
problem, and can be accessed unlimited number of times unlike the FRAM.

4) This nvSRAM has I/Os VCCQ as 1.65 V to 1.95 V which is different than the FRAM for the I/Os will operate at VCC voltage. So these two specific part numbers are not interchangeable.

Thanks,

Pradipta.