Date: 04/11/2009

256Mbit Serial Flash from Macronix for high storage space apps

Macronix has introduced the MX25L25635E, a 256Mbit Serial Flash that provides a small form factor, low pin count, and suitable for the applications that require high storage space and performance such as networking, set-top box, servers, high-end projectors, and digital TVs.

The 256Mbit Serial Flash uses a combination of 24-bit and 32-bit addressing to maintain backward compatibility. The new 256Mbit part powers up like a 128Mbit device in 24-bit mode and a user can switch to 32-bit addressing as needed. Using this method, a system designer will not have to completely rewrite the software.

The 256Mbit Serial Flash enhances the density, and also offers high performance through Macronix Serial Multi-I/O (MXSMIO). The MX25L25635E supports single, dual, and quad I/O capability for high throughput while maintaining the same package and pin numbers of Serial Flash. This fast performance makes the 256Mbit device ideal for code and user data storage, and is capable of code XIP (execute-in-place) directly from Flash.

The key features of the MX25L25635E are,
256Mbit with Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) compliance
24-bit mode and 32-bit mode addressing
4 KB sectors, and 32 KB / 64 KB block for flexible software architecture
256-bytes per page programming, with single-byte programming capability
Operating input voltage ranges from 2.7V to 3.6V
Secured 4 Kbit OTP
Support common serial flash interface - DMC(Discoverable Memory Capabilities)
Programming time of 1.4mS (typical) for a 256-byte page
Erase time: 60mS (typical) for 4K-byte sector, 0.5S (typical) for 32K-byte sector and 0.7S (typical) for 64K-byte block

"Macronix has enhanced its leadership position in Serial Flash by being the first company to offer the highest density 256Mbit product in the market," said Alan Niebel, CEO and founder of Web-Feet Research. "The Serial Flash market is the fastest growing NOR Flash segment increasing from $645M in 2009 and with the addition of the 256Mbit Serial part it should reach $2,036M by 2014."

"Many of the newer markets including VoIP network processors require high density Flash memory" said Shahin Rohani, Director of Applications & Customer Solutions at TranSwitch Corporation. "Recognizing Macronix as a leader in Serial Flash and the first company to introduce the highest density 256Mbit Serial Flash, we are looking forward to using these devices in our upcoming designs."

Package: 16-pin SOIC package
Availability: Sampling in October and mass production is scheduled for December 2009

For more details visit www.macronix.com

Editorial Product Rating: Average Plus