SpryGuy - Re: "AMD the world leader in microprocessors and flash memory"
Speaking of Flash memory, did any of you AMDroids wonder what happened to AMD's Flash Technology that Motorola received in exchange for Motorola's Copper Rear End process?
I'm sure all you AMDroids are dying to find out.
So here goes.
Motorola DUMPED the AMD process and, instead, licensed a much better FLASH process from SSTI, which is being used to put SSTI's Flash technology into Motorola's complete line of 8-bit Embedded Microcontrollers.
"Last year, Motorola licensed a split-gate flash technology from Silicon Storage Technology Corp. (SST), which Motorola first implemented in two low-density families of the HC08 line. This year, the SST flash, which Motorola calls its second-generation flash, will be offered on 10 parts with up 60 kbytes of flash each.
"
So far, it looks like AMD and Motorola have both shafted each other on that deal !
Here's the Scoop - below !!
Paul
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Flash to replace OTP EPROM on Motorola 8-bit MCUs
By David Lammers, EE Times
Mar 28, 2000 (11:50 AM)
URL: eetimes.com
AUSTIN, Texas ? Motorola Inc.'s Semiconductor Products Sector is declaring the effective end of including one-time programmable (OTP) EPROM on its 8-bit microcontrollers. Though Motorola will continue to sell and support OTP microcontrollers, the company is pushing flash technology as the optimum memory for the devices. Motorola will roll out 10 different 8-bit MCUs with various combinations of flash, RAM and peripheral sets over the rest of this year, the company said.
"Flash is going to effectively replace OTP memory," said Kevin Kilbane, marketing manager for the company's HC08 MCU family. "Which is not to give the impression that we won't sell OTP devices, but we are now at the point where there are no disadvantages to using flash."
Last year, Motorola licensed a split-gate flash technology from Silicon Storage Technology Corp. (SST), which Motorola first implemented in two low-density families of the HC08 line. This year, the SST flash, which Motorola calls its second-generation flash, will be offered on 10 parts with up 60 kbytes of flash each.
Using a 0.5-micron process, the second-generation flash technology can be programmed much faster than Motorola's previous flash, and as much as 100 times faster than OTP parts, the company said.
In addition, the flash modules are now price-competitive with OTP parts, Kilbane said. For example, an MCU with 32 kbytes of flash will sell for between $5 and $6 in high volumes in the second half, comparable to the OTP price.
Field programmable
The flash microprocessors support in-application programming. Where in-system programming allows a flash module to be programmed while the MCU is installed in the system, the in-application capability supports programming while the application is running. A machine with buggy code can be updated in the field without shutting down the system.
Kilbane said customers have sought in-application programming with security features that "protect them from the code being written over inadvertently." The parts that will be introduced this year include a block protection scheme, which locks out sections of code by requiring twice the normal voltage to write.
Motorola is holding seminars in 18 cities over the next two months to provide training to engineers using the flash-enabled parts. Afternoon sessions are spent developing applications, then modifying the code and uploading it to a test board. The seminar schedule can be found on the Motorola microcontroller Web site.
Beyond adding flash throughout a broader range of microcontrollers, Motorola has extended other features of the MCUs, including low-voltage reset circuits for when battery power drops. Most of the devices are designed to work with low-cost watch crystals, and include internal clock generators trimmable to within ñ2 percent, obviating the need for an external clock circuit.
Of the devices planned for introduction this year, several include the USB modules needed for mice, game controllers and other low-end peripherals. Three will include controller-area networking modules for automotive and industrial applications.
Motorola intends to skip the 0.35-micron generation for its HC08 family, moving from half-micron to 0.25-micron devices in the first quarter of 2001. |
