IT-Review

STMicroelectronics Introduces M45PE10 and M45PE20 Flash Memory Modules

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

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

Each page of 256 bytes can be individually erased and programmed. Furthermore, a Write instruction offers the possibility of updating between 1 and 256 bytes of data. A 256-byte page can be written in 11ms, programmed in 1.2ms and erased in 10ms. In addition, the architecture of the M45PE is optimized 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 SPI bus with an enhanced clock speed of 25MHz for data transfer. They operate on a 2.7V to 3.6V supply voltage, and, to reduce power consumption, feature a deep power-down mode that draws only 1-microamp. 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 (150mils) 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 (the EU's Restriction on Use of Hazardous Substances Directive). These devices are specified for the -40 to +85 degrees C 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-Mbit, 2-Mbit, 4-Mbit, and 8- Mbit products. A 16-Mbit 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.
Further information on the M45PE family is available at http://www.st.com/serialflash.

Source: press release

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