New Flash generation aids multimedia handsets

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Jan 17, 2005

DiskOnChip G4 is billed as the next generation memory solution for mainstream multimedia-rich handsets.

DiskOnChip G4 is billed as the next generation memory solution for mainstream multimedia-rich handsets.

Multilevel cell (MLC) NAND-based DiskOnChip G4 is designed to deliver the best cost structure in its category and is expected to have triple the write performance of DiskOnChip G3 and over 20 times that of MLC NOR, and a read performance that will prove to be the best among NAND devices.

Along with DiskOnChip G3 and the recently announced DiskOnChip H-Series product line, DiskOnChip G4 complements M-Systems' MLC NAND product offering.

With devices ranging from 32Mbyte to 1Gbyte, DiskOnChip products address the embedded nonvolatile storage needs of all multimedia enabled handsets categories.

The cost advantages of 128 and 256Mbyte DiskOnChip G4 are achieved through the product's single die design and use of 90nm process MLC NAND Flash.

Like DiskOnChip G3 and H-Series products, DiskOnChip G4 is based on M-Systems' proven and patented x2 and TrueFFS technologies - enabling the reliable implementation of cost-effective MLC NAND.

Its single die design incorporates both the Flash media, and a thin controller for legacy interface support.

1.8V DiskOnChip G4, with its deep power-down mode, offers extremely low power consumption, critical in helping to extend battery life.

"Currently, six out of seven tier-one handset manufacturers have integrated M-Systems' high-capacity, high-density DiskOnChip Flash disk within their products to support multimedia applications", said David Tolub, General Manager of M-Systems' Mobile Division.

"DiskOnChip G4 builds on the success that we've enjoyed with G3 and provides additional cost and performance advantages, with capacities that are ideally suited to mainstream multimedia-enabled 3G handsets and smart phones in 2005 and 2006".

"Semico expects 56 million smartphones and PDAs to sell in 2005, rising to 74 million in 2006", said Jim Handy of Semico Research.

"Many of the multimedia-rich handsets today already have memory capacities of 64Mbyte and many are starting the shift to 128Mbyte".

"By offering DiskOnChip capacities of 128 and 256Mbyte, M-Systems shows its intent to scale with this trend while including features that help to offset the difficulties of designing MLC NAND into a mobile system".

As smartphones, wireless PDAs, and wideband 3G feature phones continue to become more advanced in their offerings, DiskOnChip G4 is intended to deliver an advanced internal memory solution at an unmatched cost structure.

Engineering samples of DiskOnChip G4 are expected to be available in the second quarter of 2005 with mass production currently scheduled for the following quarter.