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| STMicroelectronics' 128-Mbit Serial Flash Device STMicroelectronics has announced a new 128-Mbit Serial Flash device, the M25P128, which is intended principally for code storage in a broad range of computer and consumer applications. This 128-Mbit product complements ST's existing code storage portfolio (from 512 Kbits to 64 Mbits) and is the first serial Flash device in the market in this density. The M25P128 is built using ST's 2-bits-per-cell Flash technology, which stores two bits of information in each memory cell to double the density compared to traditional production technologies. It is suited for a wide range of applications including printers, mobile devices, games cartridges, server and PC BIOS, PC peripherals, graphics cards, hard disk drives, CD and DVD players and recorders, PDAs, networking equipment, electronic dictionaries, digital cameras and modems. The memory provides 64 sectors of 2 Mbit, delivering compatibility with other serial Flash products. Designers can take advantage of its fast 50MHz clock frequency and high memory density to deliver cutting edge performance to their customers in applications like high speed servers and printers. The use of a high speed serial interface rather than a parallel memory bus makes dramatic savings in board space through the reduced number of signals in the 4-wire SPI compatible interface, and the reduced size of the die which allows smaller packages to be used compared to standard flash products. In addition the system's CPU or ASIC can also have a lower pin count. The M25P128 is available in the industry's smallest standard package for such memory density - the 8x6mm MLP8 package - as well as in S016; both use ST's ECOPACK Pb-free technology for RoHS-compliance (the EU's Restriction on Use of Hazardous Substances Directive). Operating over a supply voltage range of 2.7V to 3.6V, the M25P128 is specified for the -40 to +85 degrees C operating temperature range. Data retention is over 20 years, and the device guarantees more than 10.000 Erase/Program cycles per sector. Software features include both bulk erase and sector erase, flexible Page Program instructions, write protection, and a JEDEC standard 16-bit electronic signature to allow easy device identification. With densities now ranging from 512 Kbit to 128 Mbit, ST's Serial Flash family delivers reliable solutions for storing embedded program code and parameters in low-pin-count and small-footprint packages. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Computing News :: home page |