Exploring the Role of Everspin Technologies MRAM in Next-Generation Vehicles

Everspin Technologies MRAM stands at the forefront of memory innovation, reshaping how next-generation vehicles handle data storage and security. The company’s automotive-grade MRAM delivers exceptional endurance, reliability, and long-term data retention, addressing the rising complexity of vehicle electronics.

Everspin, a Leading Distributor of Semiconductor Chips for Glo, continues to push boundaries with advanced MRAM solutions that meet the demanding requirements of automotive applications.

Key Takeaways

• Everspin's MRAM offers fast, reliable, and long-lasting memory that keeps data safe even when power is lost, making it ideal for modern vehicles.

• MRAM excels in tough automotive conditions, working well across extreme temperatures and resisting shocks, vibrations, and magnetic fields.

• High endurance allows MRAM to handle millions of data write cycles, supporting frequent updates and real-time data logging in vehicles.

• Automakers use Everspin MRAM in critical systems like data loggers, engine control units, and sensors to improve safety and performance.

• MRAM supports future vehicle technologies by enabling fast over-the-air updates and secure data storage for smart, connected cars.

Everspin Technologies MRAM

MRAM Overview

Magnetoresistive random access memory, or MRAM, stands out as a breakthrough in the world of memory technology. MRAM stores data using magnetic states instead of electric charges, which allows it to keep information even when power is lost. This feature makes MRAM a strong choice for automotive systems that demand reliability and fast access to data. Everspin Technologies MRAM includes both traditional MRAM and advanced spin-transfer MRAM (STT-MRAM). STT-MRAM offers higher densities, better scalability, and lower power consumption compared to earlier types. Unlike DRAM, which loses data when power is off, MRAM retains information and operates at lower voltages. Flash memory, while non-volatile, often has slower speeds and lower endurance than MRAM. Commercially available MRAM solutions from Everspin have proven their value in automotive, industrial, and enterprise storage applications.

Everspin’s Leadership

Everspin leads the global market for magneto-resistive random access memory. The company has shipped over 120 million MRAM and STT-MRAM units worldwide, making it a trusted supplier for next-generation vehicles. Everspin manufactures its products in Chandler, Arizona, and partners with GLOBALFOUNDRIES to expand its reach. The company’s strong patent portfolio and ongoing investment in research and development drive innovation in MRAM technology. Everspin’s revenue reached $19.8 million in Q3 2023, and its automotive memory solutions saw a 37% growth in market share. The company’s commitment to quality and reliability has earned it partnerships in automotive, industrial, and aerospace sectors.

Everspin Technologies MRAM continues to set the standard for memory in demanding environments. Its focus on automotive-grade MRAM ensures that next-generation vehicles benefit from robust, high-performance memory solutions.

Automotive Applications

Data Logging

Modern vehicles generate vast amounts of data every second. Engineers rely on this information to monitor performance, diagnose issues, and improve safety. MRAM stands out in data logging because it operates reliably across wide temperature ranges and harsh conditions. This makes it ideal for mission-critical applications in transportation. MRAM supports high endurance, allowing for countless fast read and write cycles without the need for erase cycles or special controllers. Capacities up to 256 Mb are available, and interfaces like SPI, QSPI, and xSPI enable flexible integration into automotive systems.

Lucid Motors uses Everspin's PERSYST MRAM in its Gravity SUV. This electric vehicle depends on MRAM for data logging and parameter storage in its powertrain. The MRAM meets strict automotive-grade standards, operating from -40°C to 125°C. It provides virtually infinite write endurance, fast write speeds, and data protection during power loss. These features ensure reliable operation even in demanding environments.

ECU Storage

Electronic Control Units (ECUs) serve as the brains of modern vehicles. They manage engine parameters, braking, and safety features. MRAM provides a robust solution for ECU storage because it maintains data integrity even after power loss. Everspin's AEC-Q100 MRAM, for example, stores critical calibration data in high-performance vehicles like the BMW S 1000 RR Motorrad Motorsport Super Bike. This memory offers unlimited read and write endurance, fast access times, and over 20 years of data retention. It operates from -5°C to 125°C and integrates easily with existing SRAM-compatible designs.

Sensor Data

Vehicles today rely on a network of sensors to collect information about speed, temperature, pressure, and more. MRAM excels in storing sensor data because it combines high endurance with fast access and strong data retention. This memory type supports high data rates, such as 160 MHz with X8 data widths, which is essential for real-time embedded applications. MRAM is also radiation-immune up to 1 million Rad Si, making it suitable for high-reliability automotive and embedded applications.

Automotive systems often face extreme temperatures and constant vibrations. MRAM demonstrates outstanding temperature tolerance, operating from -40°C to 150°C and enduring up to 100,000 write cycles. Built-in self-test features, error correction, and repair mechanisms further enhance reliability. These attributes make MRAM a preferred choice for storing sensor logs and configuration data in next-generation vehicles.

Note: MRAM's unique combination of endurance, speed, and temperature tolerance ensures that automotive memory applications remain reliable, even in the most challenging environments.

Technical Advantages of MRAM

Reliability

Automotive systems demand reliable operation in every situation. MRAM technology delivers strong reliability, even in extreme environments. Empirical studies show that MRAM maintains magnetic immunity levels above 1000 Oersted at room temperature for up to ten years in standby mode. This means MRAM can resist magnetic fields found in vehicles, such as those from rare-earth magnets or wireless charging pads. Leading foundries like GlobalFoundries and TSMC have confirmed these results, showing MRAM can tolerate real-world magnetic exposures. MRAM also passes rigorous industry protocols, including IEC 60068-2-6 vibration testing and MIL-STD-810G shock testing. These tests simulate the harsh conditions found in vehicles, such as rapid acceleration, vibration, and sudden shocks. Firmware-level monitoring helps track G-force events, ensuring operational consistency. MRAM’s robust design makes it a trusted choice for automotive safety standards.

Note: MRAM’s reliability depends on its ability to withstand temperature changes, magnetic fields, and physical stress. This makes it ideal for mission-critical automotive applications.

Endurance

Endurance measures how many times a memory device can be written and erased before it wears out. MRAM stands out for its exceptional endurance. Samsung’s 14 nm eMRAM meets the AEC-Q100 Grade 1 automotive reliability standard, passing strict endurance and stress tests. Researchers have recorded cycling endurance up to 10^14 cycles, far beyond what most automotive applications require. NXP and TSMC’s 16 nm FinFET automotive embedded MRAM achieves up to one million update cycles. This is ten times greater than flash memory and other emerging memory technologies. High endurance ensures that MRAM can handle frequent data logging, sensor updates, and real-time control without failure. This durability supports the persistent storage needs of next-generation vehicles.

This table shows that SOT-MRAM matches SRAM in speed but offers much higher endurance and lower power use. These features make eMRAM a strong candidate for high-speed memory and cache applications in vehicles.

Data Retention

Data retention is critical for automotive memory. MRAM provides persistent storage, keeping data safe even when power is lost. Studies show MRAM can retain data for ten to twenty years, even at high temperatures up to 200°C. This long-term retention ensures that vehicle logs, sensor data, and ECU configurations remain available throughout the vehicle’s life. Spin-Transfer Torque MRAM, a type of eMRAM, is especially robust. It tolerates extreme temperature swings and vibrations, meeting the demands of automotive safety standards. MRAM’s ability to combine high-speed memory access with persistent data storage sets it apart from other technologies.

• MRAM passes industry tests for vibration and shock.

• eMRAM endures harsh automotive conditions, including rapid temperature changes.

• Persistent data retention supports safety and compliance in next-generation vehicles.

MRAM’s technical advantages—reliability, endurance, and data retention—make it a leading solution for automotive memory. As vehicles become more connected and data-driven, eMRAM will play a key role in ensuring safe, efficient, and persistent operation.

Everspin in Automotive

Global Supplier

Everspin stands as a global supplier in the memory industry, serving customers across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The company’s strong product portfolio includes Toggle MRAM and STT-MRAM, which support a wide range of mission-critical applications. Everspin maintains a competitive edge through innovation, strategic partnerships, and ongoing research and development.

• North America leads in market share, driven by major aerospace and automotive companies that rely on Everspin’s technology.

• Europe shows rapid growth, fueled by the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles and a strong automotive sector.

• Asia Pacific continues to expand, with industrialization and a large electronics manufacturing base supporting Everspin’s presence.

Everspin’s MRAM products meet AEC-Q100 Grade 1 standards, ensuring reliable operation from -40°C to 125°C. For example, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Super Bike uses Everspin MRAM in its engine control unit to store sensor data for real-time performance optimization during international competitions. This demonstrates Everspin’s trusted role in delivering high-quality memory solutions worldwide.

Automotive Partnerships

Everspin collaborates with leading automotive and semiconductor companies to deliver advanced memory solutions. The PERSYST EM064LX and EM128LX HR STT-MRAM products are designed for automotive applications, offering capacities of 64Mb and 128Mb. These chips feature a Quad SPI interface, fast write speeds, and a simple architecture that eliminates the need for erase cycles. They operate reliably across extreme temperatures, making them ideal for automotive ssds and embedded systems.

• Everspin’s MRAM has received endorsements for use in harsh environments, including space exploration and satellite missions.

• The company’s products have nearly two decades of adoption in storage applications, highlighting their endurance and reliability.

• Interactive demonstrations at Embedded World 2025 and collaborations with partners such as Lattice Semiconductor and Arrow showcase real-world use cases and reinforce performance claims.

Everspin’s ongoing partnerships and industry engagement ensure that its memory solutions remain at the forefront of automotive innovation.

MRAM Industry Trends

Memory Evolution

The automotive industry continues to evolve with new architectures and smarter vehicles. Zonal architectures now replace traditional wiring with centralized controllers, reducing complexity and weight. This shift demands memory that can handle real-time data and frequent updates. MRAM meets these needs with high endurance, fast write speeds, and reliable operation across wide temperature ranges.

The NXP S32K5 microcontroller family, the first to use embedded MRAM on 16nm FinFET technology, supports these zonal architectures. MRAM integration accelerates programming times by more than 15 times compared to embedded Flash memory. This improvement enables faster over-the-air updates and secure deployment of new features. The microcontroller also supports real-time performance and safety up to ASIL-D, making MRAM essential for safety and security in modern vehicles. As vehicles adopt more advanced driver assistance systems and AI-driven controls, MRAM provides the speed and reliability needed for these critical applications.

Future Vehicles

Next-generation vehicles rely on software-defined platforms and smart mobility features. Over-the-air (OTA) updates have become a standard, allowing automakers to deliver new comfort, safety, and convenience features without physical service visits. MRAM supports these OTA systems with its high endurance and fast write speeds, ensuring frequent and complex updates do not degrade system performance.

• MRAM operates reliably from -40°C to +125°C, meeting strict automotive standards.

• Its simple architecture and fast write speeds reduce system overhead in real-time applications.

• MRAM replaces NOR flash memory, which struggles with scaling and density, supporting more frequent OTA updates.

The market outlook predicts strong MRAM adoption in vehicle data security systems. The table below highlights key forecasts:

MRAM will continue to shape the future of automotive applications, supporting the shift to smart, connected, and secure vehicles.

Everspin Technologies MRAM shapes the future of automotive technology with reliable, high-endurance memory solutions. Automakers trust MRAM for its speed, data retention, and resilience in harsh environments. A white paper from Ford and Everspin shows a prototype using MRAM in powertrain modules, proving its value over traditional Flash memory.

Everspin’s ongoing innovation and global partnerships drive advancements in vehicle safety and performance. MRAM stands ready to power the next generation of smart, connected vehicles.

What makes MRAM different from other automotive memory types?

MRAM stores data using magnetic states. This allows it to keep information even when power is lost. It offers fast read and write speeds, high endurance, and strong data retention. These features make MRAM ideal for automotive use.

How does Everspin MRAM improve vehicle safety?

Everspin MRAM provides reliable data storage for safety-critical systems. It keeps sensor logs and ECU settings safe during power loss or harsh conditions. This helps vehicles maintain safe operation and quick recovery after unexpected events.

Can MRAM handle extreme temperatures in vehicles?

MRAM from Everspin operates reliably from -40°C to 125°C. It withstands the temperature swings found in automotive environments. This ensures data stays safe and systems work as designed in both hot and cold climates.

Where do automakers use Everspin MRAM in vehicles?

Automakers use Everspin MRAM in data loggers, ECUs, and sensor modules. It stores real-time data, configuration settings, and sensor logs. These applications require fast, reliable, and persistent memory to support modern vehicle functions.

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