Intel's New High-Density Flash Enabled With Common Flash Memory Interface

16-and 32-Megabit Flash Forward-Compatible to Future Densities

FOLSOM, Calif., July 9, 1997 – Intel Corporation announced a new line of high-density, fast-write flash memory products at 16- and 32-Megabit densities, the first Intel flash chips to be supported by the Common Flash Memory Interface (CFI ), an industry specification that enables compatibility to future flash devices via software. The company is sampling the 16-Megabit device now and a 32-Megabit monolithic device will be sampling in Q4.

Called the 28F160S3/S5 and 28F320S3/S5, the 16- and 32-Megabit FlashFile™ components operate at 2.7 or 3.3 Volts Vcc and at 2.7, 3.3 or 5 Volts Vpp for the S3 version, and at 5 volt Vcc/ Vpp for the S5version. The devices feature Intel's fastest flash write performance, up to 2.0 microseconds byte-effective. Write performance is important for data storage applications, such as fax machines, as well as for code storage in applications like networking equipment. The 28F160S3/S5 devices are pin-compatible with Intel's existing 16-Megabit 28F016SA/SV devices.

The symmetrically blocked, word-wide (x16) flash devices feature 32 (16-Megabit) or 64 64-Kbyte (32-Megabit) erasable blocks, high read and fast programming performance, write automation, program/erase suspend capability and individual block locking. These features provide a highly flexible component suitable for networking, telecommunications, automobile navigation, cellular smart phones, base stations, set top boxes and memory card applications.

Common Flash Memory Interface is a published, standardized data structure adopted by Intel, Sharp, Fujitsu, AMD and other flash suppliers. CFI helps to ensure software compatibility among different vendors' flash product, and also between current flash products and future products. CFI allows system software to query the device, such as an on-board component, PC Card or Miniature Card, to determine configurations, various electrical and timing parameters and functions supported by the device. The combination of these FlashFile memory products and CFI helps provide customers with both second source compatibility and easy upgrading to either faster devices or higher densities.

For secure code storage applications such as networking, where code is either directly executed out of flash or downloaded to DRAM, the word-wide FlashFile memory family offers three levels of protection: absolute protection with Vpp at GND, selective block locking, and program/erase lockout during power transitions. These alternatives give designers ultimate control of their code security needs.

The word-wide FlashFile memory family is manufactured on Intel's 0.4-micron NOR ETOXTM V process technology. Sharp Corporation is a second source for Intel's 28F160S3/S5 and 28F320S3/S5 flash memory devices.

Design Support
Intel is working closely with tools vendors to provide a large tools portfolio to support the 16- and 32-Megabit word-wide FlashFile devices. The portfolio includes design utilities such as IBIS, VHDL, Verilog and Timing Designer models. A variety of flash media managers and low-level drivers, as well as sample software drivers for CFI, are available to speed software development. Packaging and programming solutions exist for both prototyping and production environments. For more design support information, access Intel's World Wide Web site at developer.intel.com/design, or the application bulletin board system at (916) 356-6000.

Pricing and Availability

Intel is the largest supplier of flash memory products worldwide, according to market research firms Dataquest, Instat and ICE.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.