Modules combine SDRAM with Flash

A novel family of small-outline dual-inline memory modules incorporates both Flash and SDRAM technologies within the same device.

SMART Modular Technologies has a new SyncFlash/SDRAM SO-DIMM product family.

SMART's latest modules use Micron Technology's SyncFlash memory technology, combining Flash memory with a PC133 SDRAM-compatible interface.

The technology enables SDRAM and Flash to reside on the same high-performance bus.

The SyncFlash SO-DIMMs, available in densities combining up to 128Mbyte of SDRAM and 32Mbyte of Flash, feature execute in place (XIP) functionality that allows systems to boot up instantly with no wait time.

Ideal applications for this new technology include telecomms and networking infrastructure, instrumentation, printers, and testers.

Embedded code on the SyncFlash SO-DIMMs is executed from the onboard Flash devices, which eliminates the need to shadow operating system code from slower storage media such as hard disk drives into SDRAM.

One industry-standard SO-DIMM can now be used to accommodate multiple functions that would have previously required two or more modules.

This SyncFlash SO-DIMM solution not only helps to reduce costs and power consumption, but is also ideal for space-constrained applications.

These SyncFlash SO-DIMMs use an internal pipelined architecture to achieve high-speed operation and provide for programmable read and write burst lengths.

"With a well-established standard bus architecture, we believe system designers have a familiar interface for designing-in SyncFlash SO-DIMMs and can take immediate advantage of the benefits this technology offers", said SMART's Arthur Sainio, strategic marketing manager.

"The SyncFlash SO-DIMMs provide an easy-to-use, plug-in solution for OEMs, while SMART continues to have the flexibility and expertise to provide other types of SyncFlash-based plug-in solutions focusing on customers' specific needs".

Micron's SyncFlash memory featured on these SO-DIMMs are Flash devices with a 133MHz SDRAM interface.

The pins have the same names as their SDRAM counterparts and are connected to the memory controller in an identical manner, providing an open-standard Flash design approach rather than following a proprietary interface.

"The growing momentum behind the adoption of SyncFlash memory as a standard in the industry is further demonstrated by SMART's decision to manufacture SyncFlash SO-DIMMs and SyncFlash/SDRAM SO-DIMMs", said Kevin Widmer, Micron's Director of Strategic Marketing for SyncFlash Memory Products.

"Multiple sources for SyncFlash SO-DIMMs provides customers with the availability of an industry-standard solution in configurations best meeting their application needs".

SMART's current line-up of SyncFlash/SDRAM SO-DIMMs are offered in a x64 configuration with 32Mbyte of SyncFlash memory and combined either with 32, 64 or 128Mbyte of PC133 SDRAM and SO-DIMMs using SyncFlash memory only in densities up to 64Mbyte.

SMART can also work directly with OEM engineers to design other types of SyncFlash/SDRAM module form factors such as 168-pin DIMMs or 100-pin mini DIMMs.

(This was Electronicstalk's Top Story on 24 August 2002).

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