MirrorBit(tm) Technology Enables Continued Expansion into Low-Cost Serial Flash Memory Market
SUNNYVALE, CALIF., November 21, 2005 - Spansion LLC, the Flash memory
venture of AMD (NYSE:AMD) and Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702), today expanded
its line of serial Flash memory products with samples of a 64 Mb Serial
Peripheral Interface (SPI) device. The device allows designers to
extend the benefits of this emerging low-cost, simplified interface into
new embedded applications with large code storage requirements, such as
printers. In addition, as one of the leading suppliers of NOR Flash
memory, Spansion gives customers access to high-volume, world-class
manufacturing support for their SPI needs. Spansion also has SPI
products in mass production at the 4 Mb, 8 Mb and 16 Mb densities, and
samples of a 32 Mb device.
"Spansion continues to extend the benefits of MirrorBit(tm) technology
into new markets, delivering a cost-effective, high-performance solution
to customers who want to implement SPI," said Bob Hoard, director of
marketing, SPI products, Embedded Memory Division, Spansion. "By
offering this high-density SPI product, Spansion enables a broader
segment of the embedded market to take advantage of this emerging
low-cost serial interface, while also bringing a trusted name and
high-volume supply to customers."
SPI devices read information serially, or one bit at a time, requiring
fewer connections and thus fewer pins. This lowers cost, simplifies
board layout and reduces the form factor of many embedded designs. As a
result, the technology is already gaining rapid acceptance in a variety
of embedded applications like optical and hard disk drives, WLAN and DSL
cards and routers, PC BIOS, DVD/CD players and recorders, and other
consumer electronics devices.
"Spansion's commitment to the serial Flash memory market will give
customers the added confidence they need to implement this
cost-effective, simplified interface," said Alex Chen, director of sales
and marketing for MediaTek, a leading supplier of chipsets to designers
of DVD players and optical disk drivers. "While many designers have
expressed their interest in the technology, they also want assurances
that they will have complementary components and high-volume supply.
Together with Spansion, we believe we can give the market the commitment
and confidence they have been looking for and accelerate the adoption of
SPI Flash memory."
About the S25FL Serial Flash Memory Family
The new 64 Mb S25FL064A device is the latest member of the S25FL family,
which also includes products in mass production at the 4 Mb, 8 Mb and 16
Mb densities, and samples of a 32 Mb device. All devices are based on
Spansion's two-bit-per-cell MirrorBit technology and feature fast read
speeds of 50 MHz for faster boot times on embedded products.
Spansion offers the 64 Mb device in industry-standard packages, command
sets and pinouts to help ensure plug and play compatibility with other
accepted SPI devices. The S25FL064A is housed in a 16-pin SOIC
lead-free package with RoHS compliance and the option of standard
materials. The 4 Mb and 8 Mb SPI devices are available in 8-pin SOIC
and 8-contact USON packaging options. The 16 Mb is offered in 8-pin and
16-pin SOIC packages, and an 8-contact WSON package.
The S25FL064A is sampling now, with production expected later this year.
The device will be priced at approximately $2.50 in quantities of
10,000.
About MirrorBit(tm) Technology
Spansion engineering innovations include the company's award-winning
MirrorBit(tm) technology. This innovative two-bit-per-cell technology
features a simpler cell structure than traditional multi-level cell
(MLC) approaches, and therefore eliminates 10 percent of the total
manufacturing steps and 40 percent of the most critical manufacturing
steps as compared to floating-gate MLC NOR, resulting in 30 percent
higher yield than floating-gate MLC NOR technologies.
About Spansion
Spansion, the Flash memory venture of AMD and Fujitsu, is the largest
company in the world dedicated exclusively to developing, designing, and
manufacturing Flash memory products. In fiscal 2004, Spansion's total
net sales were approximately $2.3 billion. The company offers the
broadest NOR Flash memory portfolio in the industry, for use in the
wireless, automotive, networking, telecommunications and consumer
electronics markets. The company's portfolio is supported by a worldwide
network of advanced manufacturing facilities, system-level expertise and
dedicated design support, and an unwavering commitment to our customers'
success. Information about Spansion(tm) Flash memory solutions is
available at http://www.spansion.com