Microchip’s new serial quad I/O SuperFlash memory devices sport 1.8V low-power memory
Microchip has announced an expansion of its 1.8V Serial Quad I/O (SQI) SuperFlash Memory with the SST26WF080B and SST26WF040B devices. These devices offer 4-Mbit and 8-Mbit of memory and are manufactured with Microchip’s high-performance SuperFlash technology, which provides what the company claims is the industry’s fastest erase times and superior reliability.
The SST26WF080B/040B provide the fast erase times, with sector and block erase commands completed in just 18 ms and a full chip erase operation is completed in 35 ms. The fast erase times can provide a significant cost savings to customers by minimizing the time required for testing and firmware updates, therefore increasing their manufacturing throughput. The SQI interface is a high-speed 104 MHz quad I/O serial interface which allows for high-data throughput in a low pin-count package. This interface enables low latency execute-in-place (XIP) capability, allowing programs to be stored and executed directly from the Flash memory and eliminating the need for code shadowing on a RAM device.
The SST26WF080B/040B provides faster data throughput than a comparable x16 parallel Flash device without the associated high cost and high-pin count of parallel Flash. The SQI interface also offers full command-set backwards compatibility to traditional Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) protocol.
Designed for low-power consumption, the SST26WF080B/040B helps maximize battery life in portable powered applications. Standby current consumption is 10 µA typical and a deep power-down mode further reduces current consumption to 1.8 µA typical. Active read current at 104 MHz is 15 mA typical. The combination of 1.8V operation with low-power consumption and small form factor packaging makes the SST26WF080B/040B an excellent choice for applications such as mobile handsets, Bluetooth headsets, GPS, camera modules, hearing aids and any battery-powered devices.
The device also includes a JEDEC-compliant Serial Flash Discoverable Parameter (SFDP) table, which contains identifying information about the function and capability of the SST26WF080B/040B in order to simplify software design.
The SST26WF080B/040B devices are available today for sampling and volume production in 8-contact WSON (6mm x 5mm), 8-lead SOIC (150 mil), 8-contact USON (2mm x 3mm), 8-ball XFBGA (Z-Scale) packages, starting at $0.57 each for SST26WF040B and $0.65 each for SST26WF080B in 10,000-unit quantities.