45 year Data Retention  
 
 
FM24CL16 
16Kb FRAM Se rial 3V Memory 
 
Features 
16K bit Ferroelectric Nonvolatile RAM 
•  Organized as 2,048 x 8 bits 
•  Unlimited Read/Write Cycles 
• 
•  NoDelay™ Writes 
•  Advanced High-Reliability Ferroelectric Process 
 
Fast Two-wire Serial Interface  
•  Up to 1MHz Maximum Bus Frequency 
•  Direct Hardware Replacement for EEPROM 
 
Description 
The  FM24CL16  is  a  16-kilobit  nonvolatile  memory 
employing  an  advanced  ferroelectric  process.  A 
ferroelectric  random  access  memory  or  FRAM  is 
nonvolatile  and  performs  reads  and  writes  like  a 
RAM. It provides reliable data retention for 45 years 
while  eliminating  the  complexities,  overhead,  and 
system level reliability problems caused by EEPROM 
and other nonvolatile memories. 
  
Unlike  serial  EEPROMs,  the  FM24CL16  performs 
write  operations  at  bus  speed.  No  write  delays  are 
incurred.  The  next  bus  cycle  may  commence 
immediately  without  the  need  for  data  polling.  In 
addition, 
the  product  offers  unlimited  write 
endurance, orders of magnitude more endurance than 
EEPROM.  Also,  FRAM  exhibits  much  lower power 
during  writes  than  EEPROM  since  write  operations 
do  not  require  an  internally  elevated  power  supply 
voltage for write circuits. 
 
These  capabilities  make  the  FM24CL16  ideal  for 
nonvolatile  memory  applications  requiring  frequent 
or rapid writes. Examples range from data collection 
where the number of write cycles may be critical, to 
demanding industrial controls where a long write time 
can  cause  data  loss.  The  combination  of  features 
allows the system to write data more frequently, with 
less system overhead.  
 
The  FM24CL16  is  available  in  an  industry  standard 
8-pin  SOIC  and  uses  a  two-wire  protocol.  The 
specifications  are  guaranteed  over  the  industrial 
temperature range from -40°C to +85°C.  
2.7 - 3.65V Operation 
75 µA Active Current (100 kHz) @ 3V 
1 µA Standby Current 
 
Low Power Operation 
• 
• 
• 
 
Industry Standard Configuration 
Industrial Temperature -40° C to +85° C 
• 
• 
8-pin SOIC and 8-pin TDFN Packages 
•  TDFN Footprint Conforms to TSSOP-8 
• 
 
Pin Configuration 
 
“Green” Packaging Options 
NC
NC
NC
VSS
1
2
3
4
8
7
6
5
Top View 
NC 
NC 
NC 
VSS
1 
 2 
 3 
 4 
8 
 7 
 6 
 5 
 
VDD
WP
SCL
SDA
VDD 
WP 
SCL 
SDA
 
Pin Names 
SDA 
SCL 
WP 
VDD 
VSS 
Function 
Serial Data/Address 
Serial Clock 
Write Protect 
Supply Voltage 
Ground 
Ordering Information 
FM24CL16-S 
FM24CL16-G 
FM24CL16-DG 
8-pin SOIC 
“Green” 8-pin SOIC 
“Green” 8-pin TDFN 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This product conforms to specifications per the terms of the Ramtron 
standard warranty. The product has completed Ramtron’s internal 
qualification testing and has reached production status. 
Rev. 3.3 
Nov. 2005 
Ramtron International Corporation 
1850 Ramtron Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921 
(800) 545-FRAM, (719) 481-7000 
www.ramtron.com 
Page 1 of 13 
 
 
FM24CL16 
 
Counter
Address
Latch
256 x 64
FRAM Array
SDA
`
Serial to Parallel
Converter
SCL
WP
Control Logic
8
Data Latch
Figure 1. Block Diagram 
 
 
 
Pin Description 
Serial  Data  Address:  This  is  a  bi-directional  data  pin  for  the  two-wire  interface.  It 
employs an open-drain output and is intended to be wire-OR’d with other devices on the 
two-wire bus. The input buffer incorporates a Schmitt trigger for noise immunity and the 
output driver includes slope control for falling edges. A pull-up resistor is required. 
Serial Clock: The serial clock input for the two-wire interface. Data is clocked-out on 
the falling edge and clocked-in on the rising edge. 
Input 
Input  Write Protect: When WP is high, the entire array is write-protected. When WP is low, 
all addresses may be written. This pin is internally pulled down. 
Supply Voltage (3V) 
Supply 
Supply  Ground 
- 
No connect 
 
 
Pin Description 
Pin Name 
SDA 
Type 
I/O 
SCL 
WP 
VDD 
VSS 
NC 
Rev 3.3 
Nov. 2005 
Page 2 of 13 
 
Overview 
The  FM24CL16  is  a  serial  FRAM  memory.  The 
memory  array  is  logically  organized  as  a  2,048  x  8 
memory  array  and  is  accessed  using  an  industry 
standard  two-wire  interface.  Functional  operation  of 
the FRAM is similar to serial EEPROMs. The major 
difference  between  the  FM24CL16  and  a  serial 
EEPROM with the same pinout relates to its superior 
write performance.  
functions  of 
Memory Architecture 
When  accessing  the  FM24CL16,  the  user  addresses 
2,048 locations each with 8 data bits. These data bits 
are shifted serially. The 2,048 addresses are accessed 
using  the  two-wire  protocol,  which  includes  a  slave 
address  (to  distinguish  from  other  non-memory 
devices), a row address, and a segment address. The 
row address consists of 8-bits that specify one of 256 
rows.  The  3-bit  segment  address  specifies  one  of  8 
segments  within  each  row.  The  complete  11-bit 
address specifies each byte uniquely.  
 
Most 
the  FM24CL16  either  are 
controlled  by  the  two-wire  interface  or  handled 
automatically  by  on-board  circuitry.  The  memory  is 
read  or  written  at  the  speed  of  the  two-wire  bus. 
Unlike  an  EEPROM,  it  is  not  necessary  to  poll  the 
device for a ready condition since writes occur at bus 
speed. That is, by the time a new bus transaction can 
be shifted into the part, a write operation is complete. 
This  is  explained  in  more  detail  in  the  interface 
section below.  
 
Note 
the  FM24CL16  contains  no  power 
management  circuits  other  than  a  simple  internal 
power-on reset. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure 
that  VDD  is  within  data  sheet  tolerances  to  prevent 
incorrect operation.  
that 
FM24CL16 
 
two-wire  bus 
industry  standard 
Two-wire Interface 
The  FM24CL16  employs  a  bi-directional  two-wire 
bus  protocol  using  few  pins  and  little  board  space. 
Figure  2  illustrates  a  typical  system  configuration 
using  the  FM24CL16  in  a  microcontroller-based 
system.  The 
is 
familiar to many users but is described in this section. 
 
By  convention,  any  device  that  is  sending  data  onto 
the  bus  is  the  transmitter  while the target device for 
this data is the receiver. The device that is controlling 
the  bus  is  the  master.  The  master  is  responsible  for 
generating  the  clock  signal  for  all  operations.  Any 
device on the bus that is being controlled is a slave. 
The FM24CL16 is always a slave device.  
 
The bus protocol is controlled by transition states in 
the SDA and SCL signals. There are four conditions 
including  Start,  Stop,  Data  bit,  and  Acknowledge. 
Figure  3  illustrates  the  signal  conditions  that  define 
the  four  states.  Detailed  timing  diagrams  are  in  the 
electrical specifications.  
 
 
Microcontroller
VDD
Rmin = 1.1 KΩ
Rmax = tR/Cbus
     SDA SCL
     SDA SCL
FM24CL16
Other Slave
Device
Figure 2. Typical System Configuration 
 
 
 
Rev 3.3 
Nov. 2005 
Page 3 of 13 
 
 
 
SCL
SDA
Stop
(Master)
Start
(Master)
FM24CL16 
 
7
6
0
Data bits
(Transmitter)
Data bit
(Transmitter)
Acknowledge
(Receiver)
 
Figure 3. Data Transfer Protocol 
 
 
 
Stop Condition 
A  stop  condition  is  indicated  when  the  bus  master 
drives SDA from low to high while the SCL signal is 
high.  All  operations  using  the  FM24CL16  must  end 
with  a  Stop  condition.  If  an  operation  is  pending 
when a Stop is asserted, the operation will be aborted. 
The master must have control of SDA (not a memory 
read) in order to assert a Stop condition.  
Start Condition 
A  Start  condition  is  indicated  when  the  bus  master 
drives SDA from high to low while the SCL signal is 
high.  All  read  and  write  transactions  begin  with  a 
Start  condition.  An  operation  in  progress  can  be 
aborted  by  asserting  a  Start  condition  at  any  time. 
Aborting  an  operation  using  the  Start  condition  will 
prepare the FM24CL16 for a new operation.  
 
If during operation the power supply drops below the 
specified  VDD  minimum,  the  system  should  issue  a 
Start condition prior to performing another operation.  
Data/Address Transfer 
All  data  transfers  (including  addresses)  take  place 
while  the  SCL  signal  is  high.  Except  under  the  two 
conditions  described  above,  the  SDA  signal  should 
not  change  while  SCL  is  high.  For  system  design 
considerations, keeping SCL in a low state while idle 
improves robustness. 
Acknowledge 
The Acknowledge takes place after the 8th data bit has 
been transferred in any transaction. During this state, 
the  transmitter  should  release  the  SDA  bus  to  allow 
the receiver to drive it. The receiver drives the SDA 
signal low to acknowledge receipt of the byte. If the 
receiver  does  not  drive  SDA  low,  the  condition is a 
No-Acknowledge and the operation is aborted. 
 
The  receiver  would  fail  to  acknowledge  for  two 
distinct reasons. First is that a byte transfer fails. In 
this  case,  the  No-Acknowledge  ends  the  current 
operation  so  that  the  part  can  be  addressed  again. 
This allows the last byte to be recovered in the event 
of a communication error.  
 
Second  and  most  common,  the  receiver  does  not 
acknowledge  to  deliberately  end  an  operation.  For 
example,  during  a  read  operation,  the  FM24CL16 
will  continue  to  place  data  onto  the  bus  as  long  as 
the  receiver  sends  Acknowledges  (and  clocks). 
When a read operation is complete and no more data 
is  needed,  the  receiver  must  not  acknowledge  the 
last byte. If the receiver acknowledges the last byte, 
this will cause the FM24CL16 to attempt to drive the 
bus on the next clock while the master is sending a 
new command such as a Stop.  
Slave Address 
The  first  byte  that  the  FM24CL16  expects  after  a 
Start  condition  is  the  slave  address.  As  shown  in 
Figure 4, the slave address contains the device type, 
the  page  of  memory  to  be  accessed,  and  a  bit  that 
specifies if the transaction is a read or a write.  
 
Bits  7-4  are  the  device  type  and  should  be  set  to 
1010b  for  the  FM24CL16.  The  device  type  allows 
other types of functions to reside on the 2-wire bus 
within an identical address range. Bits 3-1 are used 
for page select. They specify the 256-byte block of 
memory that is targeted for the current operation. Bit 
0  is  the  read/write  bit.  R/W=1  indicates  a  read 
operation  and  R/W=0  indicates  a  write  operation. 
Rev 3.3 
Nov. 2005 
Page 4 of 13 
 
Slave ID
Page
Select
 1
0
1
0
A2
A1
A0
R/W
 
 
Figure 4. Slave Address 
 
 
Word Address 
After the FM24CL16 (as receiver) acknowledges the 
slave  ID,  the  master  will  place  the  word  address  on 
the bus for a write operation. The word address is the 
lower 8-bits of the address to be combined with the 3-
bits of the page select to specify the exact byte to be 
written.  The  complete  11-bit  address  is  latched 
internally.  
 
No word address occurs for a read operation, though 
the  3-bit  page  select  is  latched  internally.  Reads 
always use the lower 8-bits that are held internally in 
the  address  latch.  That  is,  reads  always  begin  at  the 
address following the previous access. A random read 
address can be loaded by doing a write operation as 
explained below.  
 
After transmission of each data byte, just prior to the 
acknowledge, the FM24CL16 increments the internal 
address latch. This allows the next sequential byte to 
be  accessed with no additional addressing. After the 
last address (7FFh) is reached, the address latch will 
roll over to 000h. There is no limit on the number of 
bytes that can be accessed with a single read or write 
operation.  
Data Transfer 
After  all  address  information  has  been  transmitted, 
data 
the 
FM24CL16  can  begin.  For  a  read  operation  the 
device will place 8 data bits on the bus then wait for 
an acknowledge. If the acknowledge occurs, the next 
sequential  byte  will  be 
the 
acknowledge  is  not  sent,  the  read  operation  is 
concluded. For a write operation, the FM24CL16 will 
accept  8  data  bits  from  the  master  then  send  an 
acknowledge.  All  data  transfer  occurs  MSB  (most 
significant bit) first.  
the  bus  master  and 
transfer  between 
transferred. 
If 
FM24CL16 
 
Memory Operation 
The FM24CL16 is designed to operate in a manner 
very  similar  to  other  2-wire  interface  memory 
products.  The  major  differences  result  from  the 
higher  performance  write  capability  of  FRAM 
technology.  These  improvements  result  in  some 
differences  between  the  FM24CL16  and  a  similar 
configuration EEPROM during writes. The complete 
operation  for  both  writes  and  reads  is  explained 
below.  
Write Operation 
All writes begin with a slave ID then a word address 
as previously mentioned. The bus master indicates a 
write  operation  by  setting  the  LSB  of  the  Slave 
Address  to  a  0.  After  addressing,  the  bus  master 
sends  each  byte  of  data  to  the  memory  and  the 
memory  generates  an  acknowledge  condition.  Any 
number  of  sequential  bytes  may  be  written.  If  the 
end  of  the  address  range  is  reached  internally,  the 
address counter will wrap from 7FFh to 000h.  
 
Unlike other nonvolatile memory technologies, there 
is  no  write  delay  with  FRAM.   The entire memory 
cycle  occurs  in  less  time  than  a  single  bus  clock. 
Therefore, any operation including read or write can 
occur  immediately  following  a  write.  Acknowledge 
polling,  a 
to 
determine if a write is complete is unnecessary and 
will always return a ‘ready’ condition.  
 
An  actual  memory  array  write  occurs  after  the  8th 
data bit is transferred. It will be complete before the 
acknowledge is sent. Therefore, if the user desires to 
abort a write without altering the memory contents, 
this  should  be  done  using  start  or  stop  condition 
prior  to  the  8th  data  bit.  The  FM24CL16  needs  no 
page buffering.  
 
The memory array can be write protected using the 
WP  pin.  Setting  the  WP  pin  to  a  high  condition 
(VDD)  will  write-protect  all  addresses.  The 
FM24CL16 will not acknowledge data bytes that are 
written  to  protected  addresses.  In  addition,  the 
address  counter  will  not  increment  if  writes  are 
attempted  to  these  addresses.  Setting  WP  to  a  low 
state (VSS) will deactivate this feature.  
 
Figure  5  and  6  below  illustrates  both  a  single-byte 
and multiple-byte writes.  
technique  used  with  EEPROMs 
Rev 3.3 
Nov. 2005 
Page 5 of 13 
 
By Master
Start
Address & Data
Stop
S
Slave Address
0
A
Word Address
A
Data Byte
A P
By FM24CL16
 
 
Acknowledge
Figure 5.  Single Byte Write 
By Master
Start
Address & Data
FM24CL16 
 
 
Stop
S
Slave Address
0
A
Word Address
A
Data Byte
A
Data Byte
A P
By FM24CL16
Acknowledge
Figure 6.  Multiple Byte Write 
 
 
 
Read Operation 
There  are  two  types  of  read  operations.  They  are 
current address read and selective address read. In a 
current address read, the FM24CL16 uses the internal 
address latch to supply the lower 8 address bits. In a 
selective  read,  the  user  performs  a  procedure  to  set 
these lower address bits to a specific value.  
Current Address & Sequential  Read 
As mentioned above the FM24CL16 uses an internal 
latch  to  supply  the  lower  8  address  bits  for  a  read 
operation.  A  current  address  read  uses  the  existing 
value  in  the  address  latch  as  a  starting place for the 
read  operation.  This  is  the  address  immediately 
following that of the last operation.  
 
To  perform  a  current  address  read,  the  bus  master 
supplies a slave address with the LSB set to 1. This 
indicates  that  a  read  operation  is  requested.  The  3 
page  select  bits  in  the  slave  ID  specify  the block of 
memory  that  is  used  for  the  read  operation.  On  the 
next  clock,  the  FM24CL16  will  begin  shifting  out 
data from the current address. The current address is 
the 3 bits from the slave ID combined with the 8 bits 
that were in the internal address latch.  
 
Beginning  with  the  current  address,  the  bus  master 
can read any number of bytes. Thus, a sequential read 
is  simply  a  current  address  read  with  multiple  byte 
transfers. After each byte, the internal address counter 
will  be  incremented.  Each  time  the  bus  master 
acknowledges  a  byte 
the 
FM24CL16 should read out the next sequential byte. 
 
indicates 
that 
this 
Rev 3.3 
Nov. 2005 
There  are  four  ways  to  properly  terminate  a  read 
operation. Failing to properly terminate the read will 
most likely create a bus contention as the FM24CL16 
attempts to read out additional data onto the bus. The 
four valid methods are as follows.  
 
1.   The  bus  master  issues  a  no-acknowledge  in  the 
9th clock cycle and a stop in the 10th clock cycle. 
This is illustrated in the diagrams below. This is 
the preferred method.  
2.   The  bus  master  issues  a  no-acknowledge  in  the 
9th clock cycle and a start in the 10th.  
3.   The  bus  master  issues  a  stop  in  the  9th  clock 
cycle. Bus contention may result.  
4.   The  bus  master  issues  a  start  in  the  9th  clock 
cycle. Bus contention may result.  
 
If  the  internal  address  reaches  7FFh  it  will  wrap 
around to 000h on the next read cycle. Figures 7 and 
8 show the proper operation for current address reads. 
Selective (Random) Read 
A simple technique allows a user to select a random 
address  location  as  the  starting  point  for  a  read 
operation.  It  uses  the  first  two  bytes  of  a  write 
operation to set the internal address byte followed by 
subsequent read operations.  
 
To perform a selective read, the bus master sends out 
the slave address with the LSB set to 0. This specifies 
a write operation. According to the write protocol, the 
bus  master  then  sends  the  word  address  byte  that  is 
loaded  into  the  internal  address  latch.  After  the 
FM24CL16 acknowledges the word address, the bus 
master  issues  a  start  condition.  This  simultaneously 
Page 6 of 13 
 
aborts  the  write  operation  and  allows  the  read 
command to be issued with the slave address set to 1. 
 
 
By Master
Start
Address
FM24CL16 
 
The  operation  is  now  a  current  address  read.  This 
operation is illustrated in Figure 9.  
No
Acknowledge
Stop
S
Slave Address
1
A
Data Byte
1 P
By FM24CL16
Acknowledge
Data
Figure 7. Current Address Read 
 
By Master
Start
Address
Acknowledge
No
Acknowledge
Stop
S
Slave Address
1
A
Data Byte
A
Data Byte
1 P
By FM24CL16
Acknowledge
Data
Figure 8. Sequential Read 
By Master
Start
Address
Start
Address
Acknowledge
 
No
Acknowledge
Stop
S
Slave Address
0
A
Word Address
A
S
Slave Address
1
A
Data Byte
A
Data Byte
1 P
By FM24CL16
Acknowledge
Data
Figure 9. Selective (Random) Read 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rev 3.3 
Nov. 2005 
Page 7 of 13 
 
FM24CL16 
 
Electrical Specifications 
Absolute Maximum Ratings 
 
Symbol 
Description 
Ratings 
VDD 
VIN 
TSTG 
TLEAD 
VESD 
 
Power Supply Voltage with respect to VSS 
Voltage on any pin with respect to VSS 
Storage Temperature 
Lead temperature (Soldering, 10 seconds)  
Electrostatic Discharge Voltage 
 - Human Body Model  (JEDEC Std JESD22-A114-B) 
 - Machine Model  (JEDEC Std JESD22-A115-A) 
Package Moisture Sensitivity Level 
-1.0V to +5.0V 
-1.0V to +5.0V 
and VIN < VDD+1.0V 
-40°C to + 125°C 
300° C 
 
4kV 
300V 
MSL-1 
  
Stresses above those listed under Absolute Maximum Ratings may cause permanent damage to the device. This 
is a stress rating only, and the functional operation of the device at these or any other conditions above those 
listed  in  the  operational  section  of  this  specification  is  not  implied.  Exposure  to  absolute  maximum  ratings 
conditions for extended periods may affect device reliability. 
 
DC Operating Conditions (TA = -40° C to + 85° C, VDD =2.7V to 3.65V unless otherwise specified) 
Typ 
Units 
 
VHYS  
Notes 
1.   SCL toggling between VDD-0.3V and VSS, other inputs VSS or VDD-0.3V. 
2.   SCL = SDA = VDD. All inputs VSS or VDD. Stop command issued. 
3.   VIN or VOUT = VSS to VDD. Does not apply to pins with pull down resistors. 
4.   This parameter is characterized but not tested. 
5.   The input pull-down circuit is strong (50KΩ) when the input voltage is below VIL and much weaker (1MΩ) 
0.05 VDD 
 
 
4 
when the input voltage is above VIH. 
 
Rev 3.3 
Nov. 2005 
Page 8 of 13 
Symbol 
VDD 
IDD 
ISB 
ILI 
ILO 
VIH 
VIL 
VOL 
RIN 
Parameter 
Main Power Supply 
VDD Supply Current 
  @ SCL = 100 kHz 
  @ SCL = 400 kHz 
  @ SCL = 1 MHz 
Standby Current 
Input Leakage Current 
Output Leakage Current 
Input High Voltage 
Input Low Voltage 
Output Low Voltage 
 @ IOL = 3.0 mA 
WP Input Resistance (WP)  
For VIN = VIL (max) 
For VIN = VIH (min) 
Input Hysteresis (Does not apply to WP) 
Min 
2.7 
 
 
 
 
 
0.7 VDD 
-0.3 
 
50 
1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Max 
3.65 
 
75 
200 
450 
1 
±1 
±1 
 
0.4 
 
VDD + 0.5 
0.3 VDD 
Notes 
 
1 
2 
3 
3 
 
 
 
 
5 
V 
 
µA 
µA 
µA 
µA 
µA 
µA 
V 
V 
 
V 
 
KΩ 
MΩ 
V