SAN JOSE, Calif., March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Atmel Corporation
(Nasdaq: ATML) announced today that it has introduced the first devices in a
family of high-density, serial-interface Flash memories that were developed
specifically for data-storage applications, such as voice in digital telephone
answering machines, images in digital cameras or data in pagers.
Termed Serial DataFlash(TM), this new device group, the AT45DXX1 family,
is the fourth Flash memory architecture now available from Atmel. Devices now
available in the new Serial DataFlash family include 5-volt and 2.7-volt
4-megabit (5-volt AT45DO41 and 2.7-volt AT45DBO41) versions, with
1- 2-, 8- and 16-megabit devices slated for introduction by mid-1997. All
Serial DataFlash devices incorporate a common architecture to provide
effortless migration paths to smaller or larger densities.
"The proliferation of our Flash memory technology with distinct
architectural refinements allows Atmel to provide devices targeted for
specific market segments and applications," explained Richard De Caro, Atmel's
Serial DataFlash product marketing manager. "We will continue to develop
application-specific Flash memories to allow us to participate in new market
opportunities," he added.
The Serial DataFlash, like all of Atmel's Flash memories, offers both read
and write operations from a single-voltage supply, which can be as low as
2.7 volts. This new Flash series is based on the same proven NOR Flash
technology that Atmel uses for all of its Flash memories. "NOR Flash devices
are commonly considered to be used only in program code storage applications
because of their high reliability and data retention characteristics. Atmel
has now refined NOR Flash technology to apply it to data storage applications
as well," De Caro said.
There are major architectural features that Atmel incorporated into its
Serial DataFlash that make it ideal for data storage. One is the small sector
size. The 1-, 2-, 4- and 8-megabit Serial DataFlash devices have sector sizes
of 264 bytes, employing a total of 512, 1024, 2048 or 4096 sectors for the
respective device density. The sectors of this new Flash family allow small
amounts of data to be changed, erased or stored rapidly without affecting the
rest of the memory array, thereby easing the software routines necessary for
sector management.
The Flash sector size is critical to every type of data storage
application -- the smaller the sector, the better. Atmel pioneered small
sectored Flash devices with its original AT29XXX Series, and the Atmel Serial
DataFlash employs the same, fine granularity to provide an architectural
advantage over competing devices. Large erase block sizes, such as those used
on other flash devices, make it extremely difficult to alter just a few bytes
of data. "Large erase blocks basically limit the minimum data 'packet-size,'
forcing designers to add extra RAM buffers or to perform software intensive
block management in order to manipulate data. In the latter example, extra
blocks must be left blank at all times so the software has a temporary place
to move data around in the Flash," explained De Caro.
The Serial DataFlash also incorporates two 264-byte on-chip RAM buffers
that add even more versatility and flexibility to the devices. The on-chip RAM
buffers can be used to give the Serial DataFlash true byte-alterability by
allowing data to be transferred from the main array into a buffer, changed and
then transferred back into the main array from the buffer. The dual buffers
also provide the ability to accommodate a virtually continuous incoming data
stream.
Atmel's new Serial DataFlash are keyed to three high-volume market
applications -- digital voice storage, digital image storage and data
acquisition. Digital voice storage applications range in variety from digital
answering machines and portable voice memo recorders to voice storage in
pagers and voice memo functions in cellular phones. With current compression
algorithms, a single four-megabit Serial DataFlash can store approximately
25 minutes of voice data, providing a single chip storage solution for these
voice applications.
"Previously, there were only two primary types of memory devices used in
digital voice storage applications, both of which, by today's means, are not
ideal solutions," De Caro said. "The first is an audio DRAM (ARAM), which is
volatile and requires backup batteries. This is inconvenient for the user, and
it also adds extra components needed in voice storage designs, such as refresh
circuitry, a battery supply voltage regulator and battery contacts and
connectors. The Serial DataFlash eliminates the inconveniences and extra
components and also provides longer battery life for portable voice memo
recorders because it's nonvolatile," De Caro said.
"The second device that has been used for voice storage is NAND Flash.
NAND Flash is nonvolatile, but it has large erase blocks, which limit the
minimum message length and increases software overhead. The Serial DataFlash
has sector sizes one-sixteenth that of NAND Flash, making system software much
simpler," De Caro said.
The larger density versions of the Serial DataFlash will be used for image
storage in the digital camera market. Fax machines will also utilize the
Serial DataFlash for delayed sending of faxes or receiving faxes in 'out of
paper' situations. Future applications could include items such as portable,
hand-held scanners that can provide users the ability to scan an image and
upload it into their personal computers at a later time.
Raw data storage applications for Atmel's Serial DataFlash include 'saved
game and high score' data in home video games, data storage in personal
digital assistants and palmtop computers, telephone number and text message
storage in pagers, and data storage in data acquisition systems.
The AT45DO41 and AT45DBO41 devices are offered in industry-standard 28-pin
SOIC and TSOP packages. Prices for the AT45DO41 in SOIC packages start at
$6.71 each in quantities of 1,000 units.
Headquartered in San Jose, California, with principal manufacturing
facilities in Colorado Springs, Colorado and in Rousset, France, Atmel
designs, develops, manufactures, and markets on a worldwide basis Flash,
EEPROMs, and EPROMs, as well as programmable logic, microcontrollers, and
application-specific devices. Atmel product and financial information can be
retrieved from its Fax-on-Demand service. In North America call
800-29-ATMEL/800-292-8635. International, from a fax phone, call 408-441-0732.
You can send your request via e-mail to literature@atmel.com or visit Atmel's
Web site at atmel.com
NOTE: Serial DataFlash(TM) is a trademark of Atmel Corporation.
SOURCE Atmel Corp.
CO: Atmel Corp.
ST: California
IN: CPR
SU: PDT |
