In　this　paper,　in　order　to　realize　time-saving　and　low-consumption　secure　communication　based　on　fixed-time　(FXT)　synchronization,　some　new　FXT　stability　results　and　a　smaller　upper　bound　of　settling　time　are　obtained　by　using　inequality　techniques,　variable　substitution　method　and　some　special　func-tions,　including　beta　function　and　incomplete　beta　function.　Moreover,　the　FXT　synchronization　of　delayed　multidirectional　associative　memory　(MAM)　neural　networks　with　discontinuous　activations　is　investigated　by　employing　the　differential　inclusion　theory,　the　improved　FXT　stability　theorem　and　a　simple　delay-independent　nonlinear　controller.　Finally,　a　numerical　simulation　is　given　to　verify　the　cor-rectness　of　the　theoretical　results　and　the　effectiveness　of　FXT　synchronization　in　secure　communication.　The　results　show　that　the　upper　bound　estimation　of　settling　time　in　this　paper　is　indeed　smaller　than　that　in　some　previous　researches.　In　addition,　the　encrypted　signals　can　be　quickly　decrypted　based　on　the　improved　FXT　stability　results,　but　may　not　be　decrypted　by　the　existing　FXT　stability　results.(c)　2023　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.