An Extended Temperature Range ePCM Memory in 90-nm BCD for Smart Power Applications

This paper presents a temperature-robust embedded Phase-Change Memory (ePCM) with high cycling capability able to meet all the stringent specifications coming from the automotive environment and, more specifically, the used phase-change material (based on Ge-rich GST alloy) has been tuned to fit power ICs constraints. In order, to cope with the -40 degrees C to 175 degrees C operation requirements, a temperature-compensated write algorithm was conceived and specific circuits were added to render the statistical distribution of programming pulses equal at any temperature as it is required to obtain a uniform ageing of the cells thus ensuring an higher reliability after 100k cycling. Programming operation was optimized thanks to an improved program load that has been designed to compensate for the expected large power supply variations. Experimental characterization demonstrated a 16 ns access time over the whole temperature range

2-Mb embedded phase change memory with 16-ns read access time and 5-Mb/s write throughput in 90-nm BCD technology for automotive applications

This letter presents a 2-Mb embedded phase change memory (ePCM) macrocell designed in 90-nm BJT-CMOS-DMOS (BCD) technology able to address the next generation of automotive and smart-power products exploiting an ePCM cell based on a Ge-rich chalcogenide alloy. The optimized memory allows 16-ns random access time and 5-Mbit/s write throughput from −40 ◦C to 175 ◦C, with 100 kcycle endurance. The sense amplifier, the programming circuitry, and the data processing logic able to meet automotive requirements are described. The silicon results are provided

2-Mb embedded phase change memory with 16-ns read access time and 5-Mb/s write throughput in 90-nm BCD technology for automotive applications

This letter presents a 2-Mb embedded phase change memory (ePCM) macrocell designed in 90-nm BJT-CMOS-DMOS (BCD) technology able to address the next generation of automotive and smart-power products exploiting an ePCM cell based on a Ge-rich chalcogenide alloy. The optimized memory allows 16-ns random access time and 5-Mbit/s write throughput from -40 °C to 175 °C,with 100 kcycle endurance. The sense amplifier,the programming circuitry,and the data processing logic able to meet automotive requirements are described. The silicon results are provided

The potential impact of markets for irrigation water in Italy and Spain: a comparison of two study areas

none3The viability of irrigated systems in Southern Europe is closely linked to efficient institutional settings and water-allocation mechanisms. A significant, although not widely used, mechanism for water allocation is an intra-sectorial water market. The objective of this paper is to evaluate to what extent water markets may contribute to the improvement of the efficiency of water allocation and to the profitability of irrigated agriculture. The related issues of water allocation among farm types and farm specialisation are also addressed. The analysis is based on a basin-level linear programming model, comparing the situation with and without a market. It includes both fixed and variable transaction costs and estimates their combined effects on market performances. The model is applied in two areas in Southern Italy and Spain, and simulates the behaviour of different farm types, derived from cluster analysis on a sample of farms in each area. The paper confirms that water markets could potentially improve the economic efficiency of water use, in terms of higher profit per hectare, given limited water availability. The potential improvements are associated with a more intense specialisation of farms and are strongly differentiated among farmers, particularly where significant restrictions to water availability occur. This corroborates the expectations of institutional difficulties in implementing water markets. However, the exchanges, and consequently the potential effects of water markets, are heavily affected by the actual level of water availability, as well as the size and the structure (fixed vs. proportional) of transaction costs. The paper calls for a more in-depth analysis of the connections between market performances and institutional settings, as related to the issue of water-agriculture policy design and coordination.http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=1364-985X&site=1 ISI Journal Citation Reports® Ranking: 2005: 3/9 (Agricultural Economics & Policy); 54/175 (Economics) Impact Factor: 0.867noneJ. Pujol; M. Raggi; D. ViaggiJ. Pujol; M. Raggi; D. Viagg