Digi-Key Corporation today announced it has signed a global distribution agreement with Ramtron International Corporation.

Ramtron is a leading developer and supplier of nonvolatile ferroelectric random access memory (F-RAM) and integrated semiconductor solutions. The distribution agreement will make Ramtron’s entire line of F-RAM-enabled semiconductors available for purchase from www.digikey.com and Digi-Key’s international websites.

“The adoption of F-RAM technology and products is growing quickly and Ramtron is a leading supplier in this product category,” said Mark Zack, Digi-Key’s vice president of semiconductors. “We look forward to working with Ramtron as a pioneer in the research and development of ferroelectric materials and their integration into a variety of semiconductor products.”
Pioneered by Ramtron, F-RAM offers unique features relative to other semiconductor technologies. It is a nonvolatile memory that does not lose its data content when power is removed or interrupted. F-RAM combines the nonvolatile benefits of PROM (programmable read-only memory) with the speed and ease-of-use of RAM (random access memory) into a single device. Ramtron offers a portfolio of hundreds of innovative F-RAM-based solutions including standard, ultra-low energy, and wireless memory products. Available and in stock from Digi-Key, Ramtron products offer unique benefits to a wide variety of industrial, consumer, automotive, and military/aerospace markets.

“Over the past several years, Digi-Key has embraced the online revolution – evolving to serve not only customers’ evaluation and prototype component orders, but to serve worldwide customers’ needs over the entire production life cycle,” said Scott Emley, Ramtron’s vice president of worldwide marketing. “By taking advantage of Digi-Key’s comprehensive product launch, technical training, and online support infrastructure, Ramtron instantly extends its worldwide reach with its F-RAM-based semiconductor solutions.”
As the leading integrated Internet-based distributor of electronic components, information about and inventory of millions of products is accessible to customers around the globe, with all products shipped from Digi-Key’s single, North American location. The company’s integrated business model provides product and support information online to help put engineers and procurement professionals in control as they solve tough product development challenges.

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Transonics plc. the London based leading supplier of electronic components and logistics solutions, are now able to offer their customers the latest, competitively priced, high security flash memory devices from Eon Silicon Solution Inc. the non-volatile semiconductor memory specialists. Two versions of Eon’s high security FLASH devices are available; the EN29GA series with a parallel interface or the EN25QA series with an SPI Serial interface.

The new devices now available from Transonics are the EN29GA064H/L-70BAIP (64Mb), EN29GA128H/L-70BAIP (128Mb), EN29GA256H/L-90BAIP (256Mb), EN25QA32/EN25QA64 (32/64Mb) and the EN25QA128-104BBIP (128Mb). Full product information can be found at http://dev.transonics.com/category/83-flash-memory.aspx

The key feature of these new devices is the high security protection of programmed data which is achieved using the Persistent Protection Bits (PPB) function. Each PPB is individually programmed and there is no PPB Erase command. These devices also have Nagra approval which is required for Set Top Box and Pay TV applications.

The EON range of high security FLASH devices is also suitable for many other applications including POS terminals, Smart Meters, and hand held equipment where customers need to protect their code to avoid unexpected modification or unauthorised copying.

These competitively priced devices are available on a 5 week lead-time and continued availability is assured by Eon who has a long-term roadmap for new products in this family. Eon is currently developing 65nm technology for future products.

In addition to supplying Eon flash memory products, Transonics offer a world class programming service at their Lewmax facility. All devices are programmed with manufacturer approved algorithms using industry standard hardware and ‘bespoke’ programming machines. To ensure quality and traceability every device being programmed is recorded and documented.

To complete the total support Transonics offer their customers additional services including laser ‘ablation’ to remove all traces of the device’s original part number, manufacturer’s code etc. and laser etching of  customers own bespoke part number and graphics are available as is tape and reeling to customers specific requirements with 100% inspection and documentation complying to standard EIA481-C.

For more information on Transonics component distribution, customised logistics solutions and the backup and support of systems analysts, a global marketing team and highly qualified engineers and technical support staff call  0208 955 3900 or email sales@transonics.com

Nexus GB will be showcasing its new UFX memory system, designed specifically for single board computers (SBCs), at Southern Manufacturing 2011, between February 16 and 17 at FIVE in Farnborough. The Sussex-based distributor of specialist memory storage devices, keys, tokens and receptacles will be showing its rugged, secure alternative to USBs that can interface with micro-processor computers. Nexus GB is the exclusive distributor of US manufacturer Datakey Electronics in the UK & Ireland.

Historically, Nexus’ memory tokens couldn’t be used with SBCs, because the microprocessor based systems lacked the required I2C or SPI serial interfaces, which are found in micro-controller devices. SBCs have PC style ports and, as such, are designed to accept conventional USB connections. The new UFX token is likely to find uses in applications ranging from ruggedised and fanless computers to embedded computers such as the PC/104 form factor.

The UFX token, which is part of Nexus’ RUGGEDrive™ range, connects with an SBC by using specially designed electrical modules, compatible with USB ports. These come in the form of a series of receptacles, suited for different SBCs. In order to interface with the UFX drive, the receptacle has a header connector at one end and a USB connecter at the other.

The UFX memory token is a logical choice for applications that can only accept USB flash drives and use higher-level operating systems like Linux or Windows XP. The token also caters for application software and updates, which are often much larger than micro-controller firmware can handle.

“This ability to interface with SBCs expands the RUGGEDrive™ line’s potential enormously,” remarked Victoria James, Nexus GB’s marketing and PR director. “However, I think it is helpful to understand the difference between a microprocessor and a microcontroller, as even in the electronics industry these terms are sometimes used interchangeably. A microcontroller can be defined as a micro computer on an integrated circuit containing a processing core, memory and programmable I/O. It’s normally incorporated into a PCB design that will be used for a specific embedded application.

“In contrast, a microprocessor is a micro computer on an integrated circuit containing a processing core, where memory and peripherals are typically external to the IC. Microprocessor-based computers are often general purpose in nature, able to run various applications by simply adding different software.” concluded James.