Document Number: 001-45523 Rev. *L Page 5 of 26
Device Operation
The CY14B108L/CY14B108N nvSRAM is made up of two
functional components paired in the same physical cell. They are
a SRAM memory cell and a nonvolatile QuantumTrap cell. The
SRAM memory cell operates as a standard fast static RAM. Data
in the SRAM is transferred to the nonvolatile cell (the STORE
operation), or from the nonvolatile cell to the SRAM (the RECALL
operation). Using this unique architecture, all cells are stored and
recalled in parallel. During the STORE and RECALL operations,
SRAM read and write operations are inhibited. The
CY14B108L/CY14B108N supports infinite reads and writes
similar to a typical SRAM. In addition, it provides infinite RECALL
operations from the nonvolatile cells and up to 1 million STORE
operations. See Truth Table For SRAM Operations on page 18
for a complete description of read and write modes.
SRAM Read
The CY14B108L/CY14B108N performs a read cycle when CE
and OE are LOW and WE and HSB are HIGH. The address
specified on pins A0–19 or A0–18 determines which of the
1,048,576 data bytes or 524,288 words of 16 bits each are
accessed. Byte enables (BHE, BLE) determine which bytes are
enabled to the output, in the case of 16-bit words. When the read
is initiated by an address transition, the outputs are valid after a
delay of tAA (read cycle 1). If the read is initiated by CE or OE,
the outputs are valid at tACE or at tDOE, whichever is later (read
cycle 2). The data output repeatedly responds to address
changes within the tAA access time without the need for
transitions on any control input pins. This remains valid until
another address change or until CE or OE is brought HIGH, or
WE or HSB is brought LOW.
SRAM Write
A write cycle is performed when CE and WE are LOW and HSB
is HIGH. The address inputs must be stable before entering the
write cycle and must remain stable until CE or WE goes HIGH at
the end of the cycle. The data on the common I/O pins DQ0–15
are written into the memory if the data is valid tSD before the end
of a WE controlled write or before the end of an CE controlled
write. The Byte Enable inputs (BHE, BLE) determine which bytes
are written, in the case of 16-bit words. Keep OE HIGH during
the entire write cycle to avoid data bus contention on common
I/O lines. If OE is left LOW, internal circuitry turns off the output
buffers tHZWE after WE goes LOW.
AutoStore Operation
The CY14B108L/CY14B108N stores data to the nvSRAM using
one of the following three storage operations: Hardware STORE
activated by the HSB; Software STORE activated by an address
sequence; AutoStore on device power-down. The AutoStore
operation is a unique feature of QuantumTrap technology and is
enabled by default on the CY14B108L/CY14B108N.
During a normal operation, the device draws current from VCC to
charge a capacitor connected to the VCAP pin. This stored
charge is used by the chip to perform a single STORE operation.
If the voltage on the VCC pin drops below VSWITCH, the part
automatically disconnects the VCAP pin from VCC. A STORE
operation is initiated with power provided by the VCAP capacitor.
Note If the capacitor is not connected to VCAP pin, AutoStore
must be disabled using the soft sequence specified in Preventing
AutoStore on page 8. In case AutoStore is enabled without a
capacitor on VCAP pin, the device attempts an AutoStore
operation without sufficient charge to complete the Store. This
corrupts the data stored in nvSRAM.
Figure 3 shows the proper connection of the storage capacitor
(VCAP) for automatic STORE operation. Refer to DC Electrical
Characteristics on page 9 for the size of VCAP
. The voltage on
the VCAP pin is driven to VCC by a regulator on the chip. A pull-up
should be placed on WE to hold it inactive during power-up. This
pull-up is effective only if the WE signal is tristate during
power-up. Many MPUs tristate their controls on power-up. This
should be verified when using the pull-up. When the nvSRAM
comes out of power-on-RECALL, the MPU must be active or the
WE held inactive until the MPU comes out of reset.
To reduce unnecessary nonvolatile STOREs, AutoStore and
Hardware STORE operations are ignored unless at least one
write operation has taken place since the most recent STORE or
RECALL cycle. Software initiated STORE cycles are performed
regardless of whether a write operation has taken place. The
HSB signal is monitored by the system to detect if an AutoStore
cycle is in progress.
Figure 3. AutoStore Mode
Hardware STORE Operation
The CY14B108L/CY14B108N provides the HSB pin to control
and acknowledge the STORE operations. Use the HSB pin to
request a Hardware STORE cycle. When the HSB pin is driven
LOW, the CY14B108L/CY14B108N conditionally initiates a
STORE operation after tDELAY
. An actual STORE cycle only
begins if a write to the SRAM has taken place since the last
STORE or RECALL cycle. The HSB pin also acts as an open
drain driver (internal 100 k weak pull-up resistor) that is inter-
nally driven LOW to indicate a busy condition when the STORE
(initiated by any means) is in progress.
Note After each Hardware and Software STORE operation HSB
is driven HIGH for a short time (tHHHD) with standard output high
current and then remains HIGH by internal 100 k pull-up
resistor.
0.1 uF
VCC
10 kOhm
VCAP
WE VCAP
VSS
VCC