Battery-Free Non-Volatile RAM System From Agiga Tech

AGIGA Tech, Inc., a subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductor Corp., introduced the market’s highest-density, high-speed non-volatile RAM system.

The AGIGARAM non-volatile system’s (NVS) new CAPRI family delivers densities between 256 megabytes (2048 megabits) and 2 gigabytes (16 gigabits). The easy-to-use, turnkey family leverages a DDR2 SDRAM interface to deliver speeds up to 800 MHz with peak transfer rates equivalent to DRAMs. The CAPRI family enables many valuable system features such as zero standby power, power interruption immunity, instant on/recovery, write caching/posting, data logging, service/maintenance processing, journaling, unified memory architectures, and UPS replacement/redundancy. The products provide all these features while preserving mission-critical data.

The AGIGARAM is ideal for a wide range of applications, including storage, networking, communications, industrial computing and controls, medical equipment, gaming systems, ATMs and point-of-sale terminals, printers, scanners, copiers, automotive and military systems. More information on the AGIGARAM is available at www.agigatech.com : .

“The CAPRI family brings AGIGARAM’s unique high-speed, high-density non-volatile RAM technology to higher-end applications in the networking, storage, industrial and embedded markets,” said Ron Sartore, CEO of AGIGA Tech. “Our flexible CAPRI products come in multiple form factors and host interfaces, enabling rapid time-to-market and high performance.”

Until now, high-speed, non-volatile memory choices have been limited, especially when the performance of a RAM is desired. Complementing the nvSRAM offerings from Cypress, the AGIGARAM system scales and extends nonvolatile solutions to much higher densities. The next best high-density alternative, battery-backed memories, can offer high speeds, but are subject to numerous problems, such as hazardous material issues, increased design complexity, long charge times, limited operating life, and a high total cost of ownership.

The AGIGARAM system solves these problems with a novel use of a battery free power sub-system, teamed with high-speed synchronous DRAM, NAND Flash, intelligent power management and a proprietary system controller. During normal operation the AGIGARAM functions exactly like a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM). When power is lost, however, it automatically saves the data to NAND Flash using the energy stored in the power subsystem. When power is restored, the data is transferred back into the SDRAM. This functionality can be used for power interruption/loss immunity, instant-on recovery, write caching and posting, data logging and journaling, and service and maintenance processing.

CAPRI Product Features
Targeted at higher end storage, industrial, networking, and communications applications.

• 256-MB, 512-MB, 1-GB and 2-GB densities
• 64/72-bit DDR2 SDRAM interface with high speeds of 533 MHz, 667 MHz and 800 MHz
• 6,400 MB/sec peak transfers
• I 2 C command/control bus
• Form factor: 244-pin mini-RDIMM, 240-pin RDIMM and custom form factors
• 0-60 degrees C operating range, with additional ranges available
• 5-year and 10-year operating life options
• Integrated battery-free power pack

Availability
The AGIGARAM CAPRI product is sampling now, with production expected in Q4 2009. The PLUM PCI-CAPRI Evaluation kit is on sale now and can be ordered from the AGIGA Tech website.