Non-Volatile Memory Application in Wind Turbines

January 26, 2026

Application of non-volatile memory & Key Technical Points in Wind Turbines

The need for non-volatile memory in wind turbine control is yet te be known, here are the key technical considerations for its selection. From a comparison of the characteristics of FeRAM and ReRAM, and providing a detailed overview of design considerations to guidelines for choosing the appropriate technology during implementation, RAMXEED will guide you with the following article.

Wind Turbine Control and Memory Requirements: Needs for Non-Volatile Memory

Wind turbines are often installed in remote areas or harsh natural environments, and their control systems require high reliability and the ability to retain data during power outages. In particular, the use of non-volatile memory is effective for rapid recovery from power interruptions during abnormal events or maintenance, as it helps preserve the system’s state.

Fail-Safe and Power Loss Resilience Requirements for Control Systems

In wind turbine control, it is necessary to ensure the overall safety of the system even in the event of sudden power outages or communication failures. For example, the control of blade pitch and the adjustment of power output must be designed to stop and resume operation safely even if power is lost. In doing so, a mechanism to reliably save configuration information and the most recent operational status is indispensable, as volatile memory cannot accommodate this requirement. By incorporating non-volatile memory, the preservation of control logic and the fail-safe functionality during restart are significantly enhanced.

The Importance of System State Preservation and Checkpoint Mechanisms

In wind turbine control, a “checkpoint mechanism” that periodically saves operating status, sensor values, and system configuration information is important to enable recovery in the event of an anomaly. This allows the system to quickly return to its previous state after a device restart, avoiding unnecessary initialization or reconfiguration. Traditionally, SRAM with a battery backup has been used, but considering long-term reliability and maintenance workload, non-volatile memory capable of self-retention is more advantageous from a design perspective. In particular, nvSRAM and FeRAM are well-suited for this application.

High Reliability and Long Lifespan: Operational Requirements in Extreme Environments

Wind turbines are often installed in environments with significant temperature fluctuations and vibrations, such as cold regions, high altitudes, and offshore locations, which requires memory components to have high environmental resistance. Furthermore, in some control systems, thousands of write operations may occur daily, making longevity an important selection criterion. While EEPROM and flash memory have limitations on the number of write cycles, FeRAM and similar technologies offer high durability, capable of tens of trillions of write cycles. These characteristics contribute to ensuring reliability throughout the entire life cycle of the turbine.

Types and Characteristics of Non-Volatile Memory: A Comparative Study for Wind Turbine Applications

For control applications of wind turbines, it is necessary to select NVM technologies based on their characteristics. It is important to comparatively evaluate FeRAM, ReRAM, nvSRAM, and others in terms of speed, durability, power consumption, and reliability.

FeRAM: An Option That Combines High-Speed Response with Low Power Consumption

FeRAM (Ferroelectric RAM) is one of the non-volatile memories (NVM) that is extremely useful in wind turbine control because it combines high-speed read/write performance with low power consumption while retaining data even when the power supply is interrupted. It also has a high write endurance, supporting up to 10^13 write cycles, making it suitable for applications that require frequent state saving. Furthermore, compared to DRAM and flash memory, it operates at a lower voltage, which ensures stable performance even under harsh weather conditions. It is also well-suited for real-time control applications that require immediate data writing, and its characteristics make it easier to meet the stringent timing constraints of circuit design.

ReRAM and PCM: Technological Trends and Challenges of Next-Generation NVM

ReRAM (Resistive Random-Access Memory) and PCM (Phase-Change Memory) are attracting attention as next-generation non-volatile memory (NVM) technologies and are expected to be applied to wind turbine control in the future. These technologies are suitable for recording large amounts of sensor data and error logs due to their potential for ultra-high density and 3D structuring. In particular, PCM is non-volatile while offering fast write speeds and excellent radiation resistance. However, there are still technical challenges, such as limitations on rewrite cycles, operational temperature range constraints, and high write power, so careful evaluation is necessary before implementation. Considering their introduction with an eye toward future commercialization is important.

nvSRAM, EEPROM, and Flash: Limitations and Potential of Existing Technologies

nvSRAM combines the high speed of SRAM with the non-volatility of flash memory, allowing data to be automatically saved and restored in the event of a power loss. It is ideal for applications that require state retention in wind turbines, although considerations regarding cost and capacity are important design points. On the other hand, EEPROM and flash memory have been used for a long time, and development environments are well-established; however, they are inferior to emerging NVM technologies in terms of rewrite endurance and operating speed. When using these memories, it is necessary to employ control algorithms that limit the number of write cycles as well as wear-leveling mechanisms. Appropriate selection according to the situation is required.

Implementation Design and Technical Considerations for Control Circuits

The introduction of non-volatile memory to wind turbines requires not only the selection of components but also an integrated design that includes peripheral circuit design, power management, and software compatibility. The main technical considerations are outlined below.

Interface Design: Timing, Power, and Signal Integrity

When integrating NVM into control circuits, it is important to consider the design at the interface level. For example, evaluating the signal stability, operational timing, and rise time of serial communication interfaces such as SPI or I2C is essential. Additionally, in wind turbines, power supply voltages are often unstable, so it is necessary to incorporate power monitoring (Power-Fail Detection) and write-protection control to prevent NVM data corruption. Furthermore, layout design and signal termination should also be considered as measures against noise susceptibility and external disturbances.

Trade-offs among rewrite endurance, power consumption, and lifespan

When selecting NVM, it is necessary to balance factors such as write endurance, operational power consumption, and data retention lifespan. In particular, for control systems that perform frequent writes, EEPROM, which can only endure tens of thousands of write cycles, poses a lifespan concern. In contrast, while FeRAM offers high durability, considerations regarding capacity and cost must also be taken into account. Additionally, implementing control logic that coordinates with power management and performs writes only when necessary is an effective design approach to minimize unnecessary writes and extend the device’s lifespan.

Fault Tolerance Design and Integration into OS/Firmware

When implementing NVM, it is necessary to consider not only the standalone hardware implementation but also the fault-tolerant design of the entire system. For instance, to maintain data integrity in the event of a power failure during writing, the implementation of write buffers, mirroring, and checksums is required. Additionally, when using NVM at the OS level, it is desirable for the file system to employ journaling that can withstand power loss, and for the NVM driver to be integrated into the embedded RTOS. Designing the firmware to manage checkpoint saving schedules and access control also contributes to achieving high reliability.

Summary: Guidelines for Selecting Non-Volatile Memory Suitable for Wind Turbine Control

Non-volatile memory plays a crucial role in enhancing the stability and reliability of wind turbine control. Through proper selection and design implementation suited to the application, safe and efficient operation can be ensured even in harsh environments.

Selecting the most suitable option for each application

In wind turbine control systems, it is essential to select non-volatile memory suitable for each specific application. For example, FeRAM with high durability is appropriate for periodic storage of sensor data, while large-capacity flash memory is suitable for saving configuration data and firmware. nvSRAM, featuring high speed and automatic backup functionality, is suitable for power outage recovery applications. Each NVM technology has its advantages and limitations, making it difficult for a single type to cover all needs. Circuit designers are required to clearly define requirements such as operating environment, rewrite frequency, and access speed, and make selections based on careful consideration of trade-offs.

Outlook on Future Technological Advancements and Adoption Trends

In recent years, next-generation non-volatile memories such as ReRAM, STT-MRAM, and PCM have been the focus of research and development, and their deployment in mission-critical applications like wind turbine control is anticipated. Compared to conventional NVM, these technologies are achieving improvements in speed, environmental resistance, and further reductions in power consumption. On the other hand, there are still many challenges in terms of mass production, cost, and accumulation of evaluation expertise, making a combination of mature and new technologies a realistic option at present. Designers are expected to understand the future roadmap and consider flexible design changes as needed.

Recommended Approaches and Perspectives for Designers in Research

When introducing non-volatile memory (NVM) into wind turbine control, it is necessary to consider not only the memory technology itself but also its compatibility with the overall system. In particular, an integrated evaluation is required, taking into account factors such as the integration with control algorithms, constraints of power and communication infrastructure, and methods for firmware updates. Additionally, when selecting NVM, it is effective to go beyond simple data sheet comparisons and utilize reliability tests in real-world environments as well as third-party evaluations regarding durability and data retention. Continuously monitoring related technologies and application examples, and accumulating knowledge will contribute to improvements in both quality and reliability.