Preliminary 
 
FM24CL64B 
64Kb Serial 3V F-RAM Memory 
 
Features 
64K bit Ferroelectric Nonvolatile RAM  
•  Organized as 8,192 x 8 bits 
•  High Endurance 1014 Read/Writes 
• 
•  NoDelay™ Writes 
•  Advanced High-Reliability Ferroelectric Process 
 
Fast Two-wire Serial Interface 
•  Up to 1 MHz maximum bus frequency 
•  Direct hardware replacement for EEPROM 
•  Supports legacy timing for 100 kHz & 400 kHz 
38 year Data Retention 
 
level 
 
Description 
The FM24CL64B is a 64-kilobit nonvolatile memory 
employing  an  advanced  ferroelectric  process.  A 
ferroelectric  random  access  memory  or  F-RAM  is 
nonvolatile  and  performs  reads  and  writes  like  a 
RAM. It provides reliable data retention for 38 years 
while  eliminating  the  complexities,  overhead,  and 
system 
reliability  problems  caused  by 
EEPROM and other nonvolatile memories.  
 
The  FM24CL64B  performs  write  operations  at  bus 
speed. No write delays are incurred. Data is written to 
the  memory  array  in  the  cycle  after  it  has  been 
successfully  transferred  to  the  device.  The  next  bus 
cycle  may  commence  immediately  without  the  need 
for  data  polling.  The  FM24CL64B  is  capable  of 
supporting 1014 read/write cycles, or a million times 
more write cycles than EEPROM. 
 
These  capabilities  make  the  FM24CL64B  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  the  long  write 
time  of  EEPROM  can  cause  data 
loss.  The 
combination  of  features  allows  more  frequent  data 
writing with less overhead for the system.  
 
The  FM24CL64B  provides  substantial  benefits  to 
users  of  serial  EEPROM,  yet  these  benefits  are 
available  in  a  hardware  drop-in  replacement.  The 
FM24CL64B  is  available  in  an  industry  standard  8-
pin  SOIC  package  and  uses  a  familiar  two-wire 
protocol.  The  specifications  are  guaranteed  over  an 
industrial temperature range of -40°C to +85°C.  
 
 
 
 Low Power Operation 
• 
2.7V-3.6V Operation 
100 µA Active Current (100 kHz) 
• 
• 
3 µA (typ.) Standby Current 
 
Industry Standard Configuration 
• 
• 
Industrial Temperature -40° C to +85° C 
8-pin “Green”/RoHS SOIC and TDFN Packages 
Pin Configuration 
 
 
 
 
A0
A1
A2
VSS
1
2
3
4
8
7
6
5
VDD
WP
SCL
SDA
Top View 
A0 
 A1 
 A2 
 VSS
 
1 
2 
3 
4
 
 
 
 
8 
7 
6 
5 
 
 
VDD 
 WP 
 SCL 
 SDA 
 
 
Pin Names 
A0-A2 
SDA 
SCL 
WP 
VSS 
VDD 
Function 
Device Select Address 
Serial Data/address 
Serial Clock 
Write Protect 
Ground 
Supply Voltage 
Ordering Information 
FM24CL64B-G 
FM24CL64B-GTR 
FM24CL64B-DG 
FM24CL64B-DGTR 
“Green”/RoHS 8-pin SOIC 
“Green”/RoHS 8-pin SOIC, 
Tape & Reel 
“Green”/RoHS 8-pin TDFN 
“Green”/RoHS 8-pin TDFN, 
Tape & Reel 
This is a product that has fixed target specifications but are subject 
to change pending characterization results. 
 
Rev. 1.2 
Feb. 2011 
 
Ramtron International Corporation 
1850 Ramtron Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921 
(800) 545-FRAM, (719) 481-7000 
www.ramtron.com 
Page 1 of 13 
 
FM24CL64B 
 
Counter
Address 
Latch
1,024 x 64
FRAM Array
SDA
SCL
WP
A0-A2
Serial to Parallel
Converter
Control Logic
Figure 1. FM24CL64B Block Diagram 
 
 
8
Data Latch
 
Pin Description 
Pin Name 
A0-A2 
Type 
Input 
SDA 
I/O 
SCL 
WP 
VDD 
VSS 
Input 
Input 
Supply 
Supply 
Pin Description 
Address 0-2. These pins are used to select one of up to 8 devices of the same type on 
the same two-wire bus. To select the device, the address value on the three pins must 
match the corresponding bits contained in the device address. The address pins are 
pulled down internally. 
Serial  Data  Address.  This  is  a  bi-directional  line  for  the  two-wire  interface.  It  is 
open-drain 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 line for the two-wire interface. Data is clocked out of 
the  part  on  the  falling  edge,  and  in  on  the  rising  edge.  The  SCL  input  also 
incorporates a Schmitt trigger input for noise immunity. 
Write Protect. When WP is high, addresses in the entire memory map will be write-
protected. When WP is low, all addresses may be written. This pin is pulled down 
internally.  
Supply Voltage: 2.7V to 3.6V 
Ground 
Rev. 1.2 
Feb. 2011 
Page 2 of 13 
FM24CL64B 
 
Two-wire Interface 
The FM24CL64B employs a bi-directional two-wire 
bus protocol using few pins or board space. Figure 2 
illustrates  a  typical  system  configuration  using  the 
FM24CL64B in a microcontroller-based system. The 
industry  standard  two-wire  bus  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 FM24CL64B always is 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, or acknowledge. Figure 
3 illustrates the signal conditions that specify the four 
states. Detailed timing diagrams are in the electrical 
specifications.  
 
Microcontroller
VDD
Rmin = 1.1 Kohm
Rmax = tR/Cbus
SDA
SCL
SDA
SCL
FM24CL64B
FM24CL64B
A0   A1   A2
A0   A1   A2
Figure 2. Typical System Configuration 
 
 
Overview 
The  FM24CL64B  is  a  serial  F-RAM  memory.  The 
memory array is logically organized as a 8,192 x 8 bit 
memory  array  and  is  accessed  using  an  industry 
standard  two-wire  interface.  Functional  operation  of 
the F-RAM is similar to serial EEPROMs. The major 
difference  between  the  FM24CL64B  and  a  serial 
EEPROM with the same pinout relates to its superior 
write performance.  
Memory Architecture 
When accessing the FM24CL64B, the user addresses 
8,192 locations each with 8 data bits. These data bits 
are shifted serially. The 8,192 addresses are accessed 
using  the  two-wire  protocol,  which  includes  a  slave 
address  (to  distinguish  other  non-memory  devices), 
and  an  extended  16-bit  address.  Only  the  lower  13 
bits  are  used  by  the  decoder  for  accessing  the 
memory.  The upper three address bits should be set 
to  0  for  compatibility  with  larger  devices  in  the 
future. 
 
The access time for memory operation is essentially 
zero beyond the  time  needed for the serial protocol. 
That is, 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 will be complete. This is explained in 
more detail in the interface section below.  
 
Users  expect  several  obvious  system  benefits  from 
the FM24CL64B due to its fast write cycle and high 
endurance  as  compared  with  EEPROM.  However 
there are less obvious benefits as  well. For example 
in a high noise environment, the fast-write operation 
is  less  susceptible  to  corruption  than  an  EEPROM 
since  it  is  completed  quickly.  By  contrast,  an 
EEPROM 
is 
vulnerable to noise during much of the cycle.  
 
Note that it is the user’s responsibility to ensure that 
VDD 
to  prevent 
incorrect operation.  
 
requiring  milliseconds 
to  write 
is  within  datasheet 
tolerances 
Rev. 1.2 
Feb. 2011 
Page 3 of 13 
FM24CL64B 
 
7
6
0
Stop
(Master)
Start
(Master)
Data bits
(Transmitter)
Data bit
(Transmitter)
Acknowledge
(Receiver)
 
Figure 3. Data Transfer Protocol 
 
SCL
SDA
 
 
 
 
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  FM24CL64B  should 
end  with  a  stop  condition.  If  an  operation  is  in 
progress 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  commands  should  be  preceded  by  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  ready  the 
FM24CL64B 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.  
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  ceases  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 FM24CL64B 
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 FM24CL64B to attempt to drive the 
bus on the next clock while the master is sending a 
new command such as stop.  
Slave Address 
The first byte that the FM24CL64B expects after a 
start  condition  is  the  slave  address.  As  shown  in 
Figure 4, the slave address contains the device type, 
the device select address bits, 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 FM24CL64B. These bits allow other 
types of  function types to reside on the 2-wire bus 
within  an  identical  address  range.  Bits  3-1  are  the 
address 
the 
corresponding value on the external address pins to 
select  the  device.  Up  to  eight  FM24CL64Bs  can 
reside  on  the  same  two-wire  bus  by  assigning  a 
different address to each. Bit 0 is the read/write bit. 
R/W=1indicates  a  read  operation  and  R/W=0 
indicates a write operation.  
 
select  bits.  They  must  match 
Rev. 1.2 
Feb. 2011 
Page 4 of 13 
 
Slave ID 
Device Select 
 1 
7
0
6
1
5
0
4
A2 
3
A1 
2
A0
R/W
1
0
 
Figure 4. Slave Address 
 
Addressing Overview 
After  the  FM24CL64B  (as  receiver)  acknowledges 
the device address, the master can place the memory 
address on the bus for a write operation. The address 
requires  two  bytes.  The  first  is  the  MSB.  Since  the 
device  uses  only  13  address  bits,  the  value  of  the 
upper three bits are “don’t care”. Following the MSB 
is the LSB with the remaining eight address bits. The 
address  value  is  latched  internally.  Each  access 
causes  the  latched  address  value  to  be  incremented 
automatically. The current address is the value that is 
held in the latch -- either a newly written value or the 
address following the last access. The current address 
will be held for as long as power remains or until a 
new  value  is  written.  Reads  always  use  the  current 
address.  A  random  read  address  can  be  loaded  by 
beginning a write operation as explained below.  
 
After transmission of each data byte, just prior to the 
acknowledge, 
the 
internal address latch. This allows the next sequential 
byte  to  be  accessed  with  no  additional  addressing. 
After the last address (1FFFh) is reached, the address 
latch will roll over to 0000h. There is no limit to the 
number  of  bytes  that  can  be  accessed  with  a  single 
read or write operation.  
Data Transfer 
After  the  address  information  has  been  transmitted, 
data 
the 
FM24CL64B  can  begin.  For  a  read  operation  the 
FM24CL64B  will  place  8  data  bits  on  the  bus  then 
wait  for  an  acknowledge  from  the  master.  If  the 
acknowledge  occurs,  the  FM24CL64B  will  transfer 
the  next  sequential  byte.  If  the  acknowledge  is  not 
sent,  the  FM24CL64B  will  end  the  read  operation. 
For a write operation, the FM24CL64B 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 
the  FM24CL64B 
increments 
 
 
Rev. 1.2 
Feb. 2011 
FM24CL64B 
 
Memory Operation 
The FM24CL64B 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  F-RAM 
technology.  These  improvements  result  in  some 
differences between the FM24CL64B 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  device  address,  then  a 
memory  address.  The  bus  master  indicates  a  write 
operation by  setting the  LSB of the device 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 1FFFh to 0000h.  
 
Unlike  other  nonvolatile  memory 
technologies, 
there is no effective write delay with F-RAM. Since 
the  read  and  write  access  times  of  the  underlying 
memory are the same, the user experiences no delay 
through the bus. The entire memory cycle occurs in 
less  time  than  a  single  bus  clock.  Therefore,  any 
including  read  or  write  can  occur 
operation 
following  a  write.  Acknowledge 
immediately 
polling,  a 
to 
determine if a write is complete is unnecessary and 
will always return a ready condition.  
 
Internally, an actual  memory  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 FM24CL64B 
uses 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 
FM24CL64B  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. WP is pulled 
down internally.  
 
Figure  5  below  illustrates  both  a  single-byte  and 
multiple-byte write cycles.  
technique  used  with  EEPROMs 
Page 5 of 13 
 
By Master
Start
Address & Data
FM24CL64B 
 
Stop
 
 
 
S
Slave Address
0
A
   Address MSB
A
Address LSB
A
Data Byte
A P
By FM24CL64
Start
By Master
Acknowledge
Figure 5.  Single Byte Write 
Address & Data
Stop
S
Slave Address
0
A
Address MSB
A
Address LSB
A
Data Byte
A
Data Byte
A
P
By FM24CL64
Acknowledge
 
 
Figure 6.  Multiple Byte Write 
 
 
Read Operation 
There  are  two  basic  types  of  read  operations.  They 
are current address read and selective address read. In 
a  current  address  read,  the  FM24CL64B  uses  the 
internal  address  latch  to  supply  the  address.  In  a 
selective  read,  the  user  performs  a  procedure  to  set 
the address to a specific value.  
Current Address & Sequential Read 
As  mentioned  above  the  FM24CL64B  uses  an 
internal  latch  to  supply  the  address  for  a  read 
operation.  A  current  address  read  uses  the  existing 
value  in the address latch as  a starting place for the 
read  operation.  The  system  reads  from  the  address 
immediately following that of the last operation.  
 
To  perform  a  current  address  read,  the  bus  master 
supplies a device address with the LSB set to 1. This 
indicates  that  a  read  operation  is  requested.  After 
receiving 
the 
FM24CL64B  will  begin  shifting  out  data  from  the 
current address on the next clock. The current address 
is the value held 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.  
 
complete  device 
address, 
the 
Each  time  the bus  master  acknowledges  a  byte, 
this indicates that the FM24CL64B should read 
out the next sequential byte.  
 
Rev. 1.2 
Feb. 2011 
likely  create  a  bus  contention  as 
There  are  four  ways  to  properly  terminate  a  read 
operation. Failing to properly terminate the read will 
most 
the 
FM24CL64B  attempts  to  read  out  additional  data 
onto the bus. The four valid methods are: 
 
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 
preferred.  
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. 
cycle.  
4.   The  bus  master  issues  a  start  in  the  9th  clock 
 
If  the  internal  address  reaches  1FFFh,  it  will  wrap 
around to 0000h on the next read cycle. Figures 7 and 
8  below  show  the  proper  operation  for  current 
address reads. 
Selective (Random) Read 
There  is  a  simple  technique  that  allows  a  user  to 
select a random address location as the starting point  
for  a  read  operation.  This  involves  using  the  first 
three  bytes  of  a  write  operation  to  set  the  internal 
address followed by subsequent read operations.  
 
To perform a selective read, the bus master sends out 
the  device  address  with  the  LSB  set  to  0.  This 
specifies  a  write  operation.  According  to  the  write 
protocol, the bus master then sends the address bytes 
that  are  loaded  into  the  internal  address  latch.  After 
the FM24CL64B acknowledges the address, the bus 
Page 6 of 13 
 
master  issues  a  start  condition.  This  simultaneously 
aborts  the  write  operation  and  allows  the  read 
command to be issued  with the device address  LSB 
 
FM24CL64B 
 
set  to  a  1.  The  operation  is  now  a  current  address 
read. 
 
By Master
Start
Address
No
Acknowledge
Stop
S
Slave Address
1
A
Data Byte
1 P
By FM24CL64
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 FM24CL64
Start
By Master
Acknowledge
Data
Figure 8. Sequential Read 
 
Address
Start
Address
No
Acknowledge
Stop
S
Slave Address
0
A
Address MSB
A
Address LSB
A
S
Slave Address
1
A
Data Byte
1 P
By FM24CL64
Acknowledge
Data
Figure 9. Selective (Random) Read 
 
 
 
 
 
Rev. 1.2 
Feb. 2011 
Page 7 of 13 
 
Electrical Specifications 
FM24CL64B 
 
 
Absolute Maximum Ratings 
Symbol 
VDD 
VIN 
Description 
Power Supply Voltage with respect to VSS 
Voltage on any pin with respect to VSS 
TSTG 
TLEAD 
VESD 
 
Storage Temperature 
Lead Temperature (Soldering, 10 seconds)  
Electrostatic Discharge Voltage 
 - Human Body Model  (AEC-Q100-002 Rev. E) 
 - Charged Device Model  (AEC-Q100-011 Rev. B) 
 - Machine Model  (AEC-Q100-003 Rev. E) 
Package Moisture Sensitivity Level 
Ratings 
-1.0V to +5.0V 
-1.0V to +5.0V 
and VIN < VDD+1.0V * 
-55°C to +125°C 
260° C 
 
4kV 
1.25kV 
300V 
MSL-1 
  
* Exception: The “VIN < VDD+1.0V” restriction does not apply to the SCL and SDA inputs. 
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) 
Symbol  Parameter 
VDD 
IDD 
Min 
2.7 
 
Max 
3.65 
Units 
 
Typ 
3.3 
 
 
Main Power Supply 
VDD Supply Current 
  @ SCL = 100 kHz 
  @ SCL = 400 kHz 
  @ SCL = 1 MHz 
Standby Current 
Input Leakage Current 
Output Leakage Current 
Input Low Voltage 
Input High Voltage 
Output Low Voltage 
 @ IOL = 3.0 mA 
Address Input Resistance (WP, A2-A0)  
For VIN = VIL (max) 
For VIN = VIH (min) 
Input Hysteresis 
ISB 
ILI 
ILO 
VIL 
VIH 
VOL 
RIN 
100 
170 
300 
6 
±1 
±1 
0.3 VDD 
VDD + 0.3 
0.4 
 
Notes 
 
1 
2 
3 
3 
 
 
 
 
5 
V 
 
µA 
µA 
µA 
µA 
µA 
µA 
V 
V 
V 
 
KΩ 
MΩ 
V 
3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
-0.3 
0.7 VDD 
 
40 
1 
0.05 VDD 
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 WP, A2-A0 pins. 
4.   This parameter is characterized but not tested. 
5.   The input pull-down circuit is strong (40KΩ) when the input voltage is below VIL and weak (1MΩ) when the 
4 
 
 
input voltage is above VIH. 
Rev. 1.2 
Feb. 2011 
Page 8 of 13