The Industry's First Non-volatile 4-bit Logic Counter IC

ROHM Co., Ltd. has announced the development of reliable non-volatile 4-bit logic ICs featuring CMOS synchronous operation. An original separated ferroelectric structure makes it possible to retain data— even during power OFF— while maintaining the same reliability and performance of conventional data storage ICs. This allows seamless operation once power resumes and reduces power consumption to nearly zero during standby.

The BU70013TL is optimized for infrastructure metering equipment such as power and gas meters. Non-volatile logic technology makes it possible to retain counter values in the event of power supply interruptions and operation can be easily resumed from the previous counter value when starting up the power supply— even if there is no battery backup— making it an ideal replacement for mechanical or volume counters.

Conventional counter ICs require an external EEPROM for saving data which typically uses just over 1mA for writing data and around 0.1mA for reading (in the case of a 1-Kbit EEPROM). Since writing takes time, data in the counter must be written to the EEPROM each time the counter value is updated to guard against power supply interruptions. In contrast, ROHM's non-volatile logic counter IC requires a current of only 0.01mA when writing or reading data, and writing/reading is extremely fast, so data only needs to be written just once after power supply interruptions. A 4-bit parallel preset function also makes it possible to configure a 4-bit non-volatile register.

•Terminology

• Non-volatile
  Indicates the capability to retain data even after power is turned off. (In contrast to volatile, which requires continuous power to retain data.)
• Registers
  Refers to the storage areas used to temporarily maintain data required for computation/processing in digital logic circuits. Registers are typically spread throughout the logic circuit.
• Ferroelectric
  A type of a dielectric capable of spontaneous polarization. The direction of polarization can be changed by applying a voltage. This allows data to be maintained even without a power supply.