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5/11/2026» 0
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# [Up to 256 MB FERRIT modular F-RAM storage device preserves critical data for up to 200 years](https://www.cnx-software.com/2026/05/11/up-to-256-mb-ferrit-modular-f-ram-storage-device-preserves-critical-data-for-up-to-200-years/)

Machdyne’s FERRIT is a modular USB F-RAM storage device with a capacity of up to 256 MB and capable of storing data for up to 200 years with a virtually unlimited number of writes and high-radiation resistance.

It builds upon the earlier Blaustahl F-RAM storage device that only offers 8KB capacity. The FERRIT device supports 8 MB to 256 MB by combining up to 256 individual 16MB F-RAM ICs. The prototype below is housed in a metal frame and looks like a typical cluster solution.

FERRIT specifications and key features:

  • - FERRIT-CY controller based on Raspberry Pi RP2040 MCU with USB-FS Type-C port
  • - FERRIT-M8 removable ferroelectric memory cards with up to 16MB capacity using 16x 1MB F-RAM ICs (double-sided: 2x 8 chips)
  • - FERRIT-16 backplane with slots for FERRIT-CY and 16x FERRIT-M8 connected over SPI/QSPI bus
  • - Max capacity – 256 MB+ through up to 256x memory devices (16 memory cards with 16 chips)
  • - Preserves data for up to 200 years, far beyond traditional storage media.
  • - Write cycles – Supports a virtually unlimited number of writes
  • - Radiation-Resistant – Maintains data integrity in high-radiation environments.
  • - Host interface – USB-C Type-C, the solution appears as a mass storage device; no special software is required

The German company says it’s ideal for critical documentation, historical records, cryptographic key storage, and archival collections. The project is also open-source, with the KiCad schematics, PCB layouts, C firmware, and documentation available on GitHub under a “Lone Dynamics Open License”, which basically says:

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Redistribution and use in source, binary or physical forms, with or without modification, is permitted provided that the following condition is met:

Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.

The disclaimer is about responsibility: “use at your own risk”.

Machdyne told CNX Software that the current memory modules are single-sided with eight 1MB F-RAM chips, as shown in the photo at the top of this article. As a result, the total memory is limited to 128 MB in this setup, but with dual-sided modules, the total can be up to 256 MB. The company didn’t provide information about the F-RAM chip, but the schematics show they are using SOIC-16 parts (7.5 x 10.3 mm, 1.27mm pitch), and the only match I could find with 1MB capacity was the RAMXEED MB85RQ8MXPF (PDF datasheet) with high endurance of 1013 times at 105°C or 1014 times at 85°C and long data retention of up to 200 years at 35°C. However, it decreases as the temperature increases: 10 years @ 105°C and 95 years at 55°C.

When I wrote about the Blaustahl F-RAM device a few years ago, people noted that the Raspberry Pi RP2040 may not last 200 years, and USB might become legacy in 100+ years, and complained about the small 8KB capacity. The FERRIT doesn’t solve the first two, but with up to 256MB capacity, it solves the ultra-small capacity issue that made the Blaustahl mostly useful for storing (encrypted) text. Both still benefit from quasi-unlimited write cycles and very long storage life, but whether the 200-year target is achievable for the whole system is another question.

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