SLAA502A July   2011  – September 2023 MSP430FR5720 , MSP430FR5721 , MSP430FR5722 , MSP430FR5723 , MSP430FR5724 , MSP430FR5725 , MSP430FR5726 , MSP430FR5727 , MSP430FR5728 , MSP430FR5729 , MSP430FR5730 , MSP430FR5731 , MSP430FR5732 , MSP430FR5733 , MSP430FR5734 , MSP430FR5735 , MSP430FR5736 , MSP430FR5737 , MSP430FR5738 , MSP430FR5739

 

  1.   1
  2.   Low-Power FRAM Microcontrollers and Their Applications
  3. 1What is FRAM?
  4. 2Why FRAM? – An Application Example
    1. 2.1 FRAM: A Universal Memory
    2. 2.2 Write Endurance
    3. 2.3 Fast Write
  5. 3Another Application Example: Light Switch
  6. 4Other Applications
  7. 5MSP430FR57xx Family
  8. 6Conclusion
  9. 7References
  10. 8Revision History

Abstract

Texas Instruments recently announced a new microcontroller family that implements FRAM as non-volatile memory instead of Flash, today's most common programmable, non-volatile memory technology. This application note explains the FRAM technology and how embedded applications can benefit from it.

The physics behind the FRAM technology are briefly covered. The differences and benefits of FRAM versus other non-volatile memory technologies like Flash are shown such as the low current consumption, the fast write, and the high write endurance. The concept of "universal memory" is also introduced.

This application note illustrates how embedded applications can benefit from the features the FRAM technology offers such as ultra-low power data loggers and batteryless energy harvesting applications.