The next step in the evolutionary ladder of the information age is arguably the Internet-of-Things (IoT), the rapidly expanding global ecosystem of objects infused with Internet-connectivity through embedded electronics. In a nutshell, it can be considered an intelligent form of machine-to-machine communication that relies on embedded sensors, controllers, and communication systems to gather and process heaps of data which are then stored and shared in “The Cloud.”
This IoT ecosystem is quickly growing, encompassing all market segments from consumer electronics to industrial and medical equipment.
In fact, experts speculate that the number of IoT-enabled devices will reach 50 billion by 2020, drastically spiking Internet traffic with an unprecedented amount of gathered data. Consequently, the number of computational resources needed to manage all this information will vastly increase, along with the need for reliable and secure non-volatile memory (NVM) to perform code storage, sensor trimming, device configuration, security keys, and other storage functions.
However, part of the IoT’s proliferation has to do with the fact that little processing functions take place on the device itself, instead, being largely absorbed by servers in “The Cloud.” This enables design engineers to focus on hardware mostly related to sensing and wireless communications rather than processing. As a result, building an IoT-enabled device has become relatively easy, but places a greater burden on embedded NVM, which requires it to meet the following demands:
Minimal dimensions and cost
Since IoT devices are typically small and inexpensive, it is imperative that the silicon area in the device is minimized as much as possible to avoid the extra processing cost caused by extra masks or processing steps.
Field Programmability
Non-volatile memory must also be programmable in end-user equipment ─ not just during manufacturing ─ to allow the user to update keys or set preferences.
Low power and voltage
Some Internet-connected devices such as medical and fitness trackers are too small to run on batteries. These devices, which rely extensively on size and discretion to perform their functions, must be able to convert the energy obtained from light, heat, or induction into the electricity needed to power sensors and other embedded components. The sensor, processor, and embedded memory must also have low standby and operating power dissipation to help with the load.
Secure data storage
IoT applications that handle the exchange of sensitive information like financial transactions require code, key, and data security of the highest caliber. The memory that stores this content must be exceedingly difficult to reverse engineer.
Fast start-up time
An IoT device’s boot-up time can be reduced by incorporating on-chip non-volatile memory that is fast enough to permit code to be executed directly. Embedding program code in on-chip NVM eliminates the need to copy this code to on-chip RAM from an external memory (EEPROM – electronically erasable programmable read-only memory) when powering the device; thus, the device’s overall performance is improved.
DS1245 Solution
Non-volatile memory such as Maxim Integrated’s DS1245 series is the ideal solution to meet these IoT memory demands. This non-volatile SRAM is a 1,048,576-bit, fully static, 131,072 words by 8-bit memory component and is equipped with a self-contained lithium energy source and control circuitry that monitors VCC for the out of-tolerance conditions which could cause data corruption. If these conditions are detected, the lithium energy source as well as write protection are automatically activated. Additionally, a limitless number of write cycles can be executed and no extra support circuitry is required for microprocessor interfacing.
Learn more about how you can optimize your design for the Internet-of-Things.
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