Cypress CY14B256L - Manual (Page 3)

CY14B256L
Document Number: 001-06422 Rev. *H Page 3 of 18
Device Operation
The CY14B256L nvSRAM is made up of two functional compo-
nents paired in the same physical cell. These are an 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 SRAM (the RECALL
operation). This unique architecture enables the storage and
recall of all cells in parallel. During the STORE and RECALL
operations, SRAM READ and WRITE operations are inhibited.
The CY14B256L supports unlimited reads and writes similar to
a typical SRAM. In addition, it provides unlimited RECALL opera-
tions from the nonvolatile cells and up to 200K STORE opera-
tions.
SRAM Read
The CY14B256L performs a READ cycle whenever CE and OE
are LOW while WE and HSB are HIGH. The address specified
on pins A
0–14
determines the 32,768 data bytes accessed. When
the READ is initiated by an address transition, the outputs are
valid after a delay of t
AA
(READ cycle 1). If the READ is initiated
by CE or OE, the outputs are valid at t
ACE
or at t
DOE
, whichever
is later (READ cycle 2). The data outputs repeatedly respond to
address changes within the t
AA
access time without the need for
transitions on any control input pins, and 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 whenever CE and WE are LOW and
HSB is HIGH. The address inputs must be stable prior to entering
the WRITE cycle and must remain stable until either CE or WE
goes HIGH at the end of the cycle. The data on the common IO
pins DQ
0–7
are written into the memory if it has valid t
SD
, before
the end of a WE controlled WRITE or before the end of an CE
controlled WRITE. Keep OE HIGH during the entire WRITE cycle
to avoid data bus contention on common IO lines. If OE is left
LOW, internal circuitry turns off the output buffers t
HZWE
after WE
goes LOW.
AutoStore Operation
The CY14B256L stores data to nvSRAM using one of three
storage operations:
1. Hardware store activated by HSB
2. Software store activated by an address sequence
3. AutoStore on device power down
AutoStore operation is a unique feature of QuantumTrap
technology and is enabled by default on the CY14B256L.
During normal operation, the device draws current from V
CC
to
charge a capacitor connected to the V
CAP
pin. This stored
charge is used by the chip to perform a single STORE operation.
If the voltage on the V
CC
pin drops below V
SWITCH
, the part
automatically disconnects the V
CAP
pin from V
CC
. A STORE
operation is initiated with power provided by the V
CAP
capacitor.
Figure 2 shows the proper connection of the storage capacitor
(V
CAP
) for automatic store operation. Refer to the DC Electrical
Characteristics on page 7 for the size of V
CAP
. The voltage on
the V
CAP
pin is driven to 5V by a charge pump internal to the chip.
A pull up is placed on WE to hold it inactive during power up.
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. An optional pull-up resistor is shown connected to HSB
.
The HSB signal is monitored by the system to detect if an
AutoStore cycle is in progress.
Hardware STORE (HSB) Operation
The CY14B256L provides the HSB pin for controlling and
acknowledging the STORE operations. The HSB pin is used to
request a hardware STORE cycle. When the HSB pin is driven
LOW, the CY14B256L conditionally initiates a STORE operation
after t
DELAY
. An actual STORE cycle only begins if a WRITE to
the SRAM takes place since the last STORE or RECALL cycle.
The HSB pin also acts as an open drain driver that is internally
driven LOW to indicate a busy condition, while the STORE
(initiated by any means) is in progress.
SRAM READ and WRITE operations, that are in progress when
HSB is driven LOW by any means, are given time to complete
before the STORE operation is initiated. After HSB goes LOW,
the CY14B256L continues SRAM operations for t
DELAY
. During
t
DELAY
, multiple SRAM READ operations take place. If a WRITE
is in progress when HSB is pulled LOW, it allows a time, t
DELAY
to complete. However, any SRAM WRITE cycles requested after
HSB goes LOW are inhibited until HSB returns HIGH.
If HSB is not used, it is left unconnected.
Hardware RECALL (Power Up)
During power up or after any low power condition (V
CC
<
V
SWITCH
), an internal RECALL request is latched. When V
CC
Figure 2. AutoStore Mode
V
CC
V
CC V
CAP
V
CAP
WE
10k Ohm 0.1 F
U
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