Flash devices turn to data and parameter storage

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Oct 26, 2004

STMicroelectronics has added two new devices for data and parameter storage within its family of high-speed, low-voltage, serial Flash memories.

STMicroelectronics has added two new devices for data and parameter storage within its family of high-speed, low-voltage, serial Flash memories.

The new M45PE10 and M45PE20 will be used in applications involving a large amount of rapidly changing parameter data, such as digital answering machines, pagers, video game systems and electronic toys.

These 1 and 2Mbit devices maintain continuity with the serial EEPROM portfolio and complement ST's extensive range of M25P serial Flash devices for code storage.

The M45PE family offers fine granularity that allows fast-changing data to be stored with minimum system overhead.

Each page of 256byte can be individually erased and programmed.

Furthermore, a write instruction offers the possibility of updating between 1 and 256byte of data.

A 256byte page can be written in 11ms, programmed in 1.2ms and erased in 10ms.

In addition, the architecture of the M45PE is optimised to reduce the application software to a minimum, without the need for specific data storage management software in Flash.

The devices are accessed through a standard SPIbus with an enhanced clock speed of 25MHz for data transfer.

They operate on a 2.7 to 3.6V supply voltage, and, to reduce power consumption, feature a deep power-down mode that draws only 1uA.

The serial bus architecture dramatically lowers the pin count of the bus master, so lowering overall system costs.

Use of these new memories will also extend to portable scanners, fax machines, digital cameras, cellular phones, voice memo recorders, PDAs, MP3 players/recorders, and GPS and measurement systems.

The M45PE10 and M45PE20 are available in the S08 narrow (150mil) package, and in the very thin 8-pin MLP (micro leadframe package) which achieves an SO8 footprint and uses ST's Ecopack Pb-free technology for RoHS compliance.

These devices are specified for the -40 to +85C operating temperature range.

Minimum data retention is 20 years and write endurance is 100,000 cycles.

ST's Serial Flash M45PE family now offers 1, 2, 4 and 8Mbit products.

A 16Mbit device is planned for 2005.

Samples of the new devices are available now and volume production is ramping-up.

US pricing, for volume quantities, is $1.10 for M45PE10 and $1.25 for the M45PE20.