MRAM is a memory used to store the electron spin information technology (MRAM devices are Spintronics device). MRAM has the potential to become a universal memory - can be stored in memory density and speed of SRAM with binding, while always maintaining non-volatility and high energy efficiency. The following describes the electronic core Yu MRAM what advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of MRAM
MRAM SRAM core area of only 1 / 2-1 / 4, that is the buffer capacity at the same area of SRAM 2-4 times, the cost can be greatly reduced.
CPU performance in order to further enhance the capacity of the cache must also follow the increase to accommodate more data and instruction caches and often occupied by the core area larger than the core.
In this regard, IBM and Seagate in 2009 HPCA (International Symposium on High Performance Computer Architecture) announced that she is related to the use of L2 cache MRAM research, there are summarized as follows:
First, setting a model, using 65nm COMS SRAM and an MRAM manufacturing process, which is the area under the same capacity of up to four times the former, if converted into Cell storage, then the number of cell MRAM is about 40, and the SRAM 146 is.
MRAM shortcomings: drop in write performance
MRAM technology is not without its Achilles heel, drop in write performance is an example. The simulation results show, an MRAM writing speed is lower 12-19% of the overall performance of the IPC command down about 3-7.5%.
sram delay approximately 2.264ns, while there MRAM 11.024ns, more than five times the former.
When data is written to increase the power consumption is less than one of the MRAM, SRAM write process consumes only 0.797nJ (sodium pyrophosphate), and MRAM needs 4.997nJ, six times more than the former. But not the same standby, 2MB SRAM need 2.089W power consumption, and 8MB MRAM requires only 0.255W, landslide victory.
MRAM having a high radiation resistance can be run in extreme temperature conditions, and may be tamper-resistant. This makes MRAM for automotive and industrial, military and space applications, these are the important part for MRAM developers.