Date: 12/02/2009

New NAND flash, DRAM, and software from Micron to kick-start the growth

Micron announced new chips and software in both flash memory and DRAM areas to bring some growth to weak memory market.

NAND Flash MCP:
Micron is sampling highest density NAND-based multi-chip package (MCP), which includes 16GB of multi-level cell (MLC) NAND, for high-end mobile phones.
Micron's new all-in-one MCP stacks eight die to deliver 16GBs of available on-board storage, therefore eliminating the need for an external memory card slot. Specific components of the 16GB all-in-one solution include:
e-MMC memory: Featuring one controller with four 32Gb, 34nm MLC NAND die. Micron's e-MMC is a managed NAND solution that combines NAND flash with a high-speed MultiMediaCard (MMC) controller that improves overall system performance by easing device integration, providing greater error correction, and removing some of the NAND management burden placed on the host processor.
Low-power DDR memory: 2Gbs of Micron's Low-power DDR provides the necessary memory for quick access to frequently used data in the handset. And with its low power of 1.8 volts and other power-saving features, battery life is extended.

2Gb single-level cell (SLC) NAND: Designed to offer high reliability, Micron SLC NAND is an ideal solution for storage and execution of critical code and applications.
As per Micron, These MCPs will be production ready in the first quarter of 2009.

Memory software:
On the software front, Micron has introduced a suite of NAND software solutions for mobile handset designers to simplify the development process of NAND technology into their applications. The NANDcode family of software solutions supports all major mobile operating systems including Windows Mobile 6, Linux, and Symbian, and is optimized to derive the greatest benefit and full feature set of Micron's ONFI-standard single-level cell (SLC) NAND technology. Aside from mobile applications, the NANDcode software is also designed to work with consumer applications, such as GPS systems, that leverage these popular mobile operating systems.
This NANDcode software contains an advanced flash translation layer (FTL) and flash drivers. The FTL extends the lifespan of the NAND by employing wear leveling techniques to evenly allocate the data throughout the NAND.
The flash drivers work closely with the device's processor to deliver greater performance through data caching schemes and dual-plane operations.
The NANDcode software also contains unique security features that allow the NAND flash to restrict access to certain sensitive pieces of information held within the device that are very well suited for mobile applications.

DRAM:
To address the DRAM sector, Micron is sampling Low-Power DDR2 Memory for Mobile Applications. This mobile low-power DDR2 (LPDDR2) portfolio is for applications including traditional handsets, smartphones and popular mobile internet devices (MIDs). The mobile LPDDR2 technology was jointly developed between Micron and Nanya Technology Corporation through their joint development program. Micron's mobile LPDDR2 portfolio includes 512 megabit (Mb) and 1Gb die, reaching 4Gb solutions.

Most mobile platforms today are designed with mobile LPDDR1, which operates at 1.8-volts. But as the mobile and PC industry continue to down this path of convergence, designing multifunctional, full-featured devices, there is a drive to make the technology within more power efficient and performance optimized. Meeting the low-power demand, Micron's mobile LPDDR2 portfolio operates at 1.2-volts, reducing the device's memory power consumption as much as 50-percent when compared to LPDDR1. Delivering on performance, Micron's new mobile LPDDR2 solutions will deliver data transferring speeds of up to 1066Mb per second.

Micron says this product will be production-ready in the second-half of 2009.