Hikstor Industrial MRAM Battery-Free Solution for PLC Power-Loss Data Protection
In automated PLC operations, axis position, running speed, I/O points, and various process parameters all require continuous real-time recording. The biggest fear on-site is an unexpected power outage. If data isn't fully saved the instant the power cuts, powering back on can easily lead to parameter confusion, abnormal equipment shutdowns, or even the complete loss of an entire batch's production data.
The industrial MRAM memory launched by Hikstor Technology is specifically designed to solve the pain point of data loss in PLCs during power outages. It enables a battery-free design for the entire machine, eliminating the need
for periodic consumable replacement and long-term maintenance, thereby significantly improving equipment operational reliability.
Many low-end industrial control devices still use traditional Flash for storage, but it is indeed somewhat unsuitable for the scenario of instant data saving during a PLC power outage. Flash has a fatal flaw when writing data: it must be erased before being written to, a process that takes tens of milliseconds. However, a power outage is instantaneous, leaving the system with insufficient time to react. Data is often lost before it's fully written, and critical parameters are naturally not preserved. Furthermore, since parameters are refreshed very frequently during PLC operation, the repeated erasing and writing quickly consumes the Flash's lifespan. It requires maintenance and replacement before long, making the overall cost quite high.
There is also a "battery + SRAM" backup solution used in the industry. It relies on a battery to power the SRAM to retain operational data. However, this method is easily affected by high temperatures in industrial environments and the limited battery life. Incomplete data preservation at high temperatures can lead to premature battery failure and potentially cause equipment malfunctions, invisibly increasing maintenance costs.
To address the pain points of the battery+SRAM solution—such as slow speed, short lifespan, required maintenance, and poor high-temperature resistance—Hikstor's HS256K3SDS8C industrial-grade MRAM offers a functional alternative. Leveraging the unique storage principle of MRAM, it requires no erasing and allows for direct writing, completely breaking free from the constraints of traditional Flash and battery-backup architectures. It is a new generation of power-loss storage solutions tailored for PLC equipment.
In terms of power-loss data retention, the Hikstor HS256K3SDS8C MRAM chip has an absolute advantage. It does not require pre-erasing sectors and supports direct overwriting, with a single-byte write speed of only 50 nanoseconds.
When the PLC detects a power-loss signal, the system can completely solidify all operational parameters in an extremely short time. No data is lost or corrupted throughout the process. After the equipment is powered on, it can accurately restore its pre-power-off operational state without the need for manual parameter reconfiguration, effectively avoiding downtime and production anomalies.
At the same time, the chip boasts an ultra-high read/write endurance of 1 billion cycles. Facing the PLC's work mode of frequent parameter updates year-round, it can operate stably for over ten years with virtually no lifespan degradation.
For harsh industrial on-site environments, this MRAM features an industrial wide-temperature design and can operate stably in a temperature range of -45°C to 85°C, without experiencing storage anomalies or data loss due to temperature changes. After a power outage, data can be stably retained for over 20 years, completely eliminating the need for battery power to maintain data.
The traditional battery + SRAM solution relies entirely on the battery to maintain data storage, and its long-term use reveals prominent drawbacks. It not only incurs annual maintenance costs for battery replacement but also poses safety hazards of failure under high-temperature conditions. The additional backup power circuitry also drives up hardware costs.
In contrast, the Hikstor HS256K3SDS8C industrial MRAM avoids these problems at the root, and its comprehensive advantages in use are very prominent.
Industrial equipment is upgrading towards unattended operation, maintenance-free use, and high stability. Traditional battery-dependent power-loss storage solutions can no longer meet the demands of long-term intelligent production. Through its battery-free design, Hikstor MRAM solves the core pain points of PLC power-loss data retention, high-frequency read/write operations, and long-term maintenance. It helps equipment manufacturers reduce costs, increase efficiency, and enhance product competitiveness, making it the preferred solution for industrial PLC storage upgrades.
| Comparison Dimension | Hikstor MRAM Solution | Traditional Battery + SRAM Solution |
|---|
| Power-loss Data Protection | Native non-volatile storage, instantly solidifies data on power loss, stable and reliable | Completely relies on battery power; battery failure leads to data loss |
| Long-term Maintenance | Lifetime maintenance-free, no consumables to replace, zero maintenance cost | Battery requires regular replacement every 3-5 years, heavy maintenance workload for batch equipment |
| High-temp Operation Suitability | Industrial wide-temperature design, unaffected by high temperatures, no safety hazards | High temperatures can easily cause battery leakage, aging, and failure, posing high risks |
| Hardware BOM Cost | A single chip achieves all functions, with a minimalist circuit | Requires SRAM, battery, and detection circuits; many components, high cost |
| Read/Write Endurance | 1 billion cycles of ultra-high endurance, suitable for long-term, high-frequency read/write for over ten years | No storage life limit, but constrained by battery life |
| Data Retention Period | Data retention ≥ 20 years after power-off | Only valid within the battery's life cycle |
To meet the needs of PLC storage architecture optimization, removing backup batteries, and long-term maintenance-free equipment retrofitting, Mandu Technology can provide customized MRAM replacement solution evaluations and on-site technical support.