AMD changes the face of Flash memory architecture

 

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By Alun Williams

Posted on 15 Jul 2002 at 16:09

The light of day shines on AMD's new Flash memory architecture, MirrorBit, as first production shipments begin.

Doubling data density with no reduction in reliability is AMD's boast for what it claims to be the 'new face of Flash'. Designed to be a low-cost technology, Bertrand Cambou - group VP of the AMD memory group - has claimed that the manufacturing process has, 'a cost structure that is two generations ahead of comparable flash technologies.'

Essentially, MirrorBit involves storing two full and distinct charges within a single memory cell. As well as doubling storage capacity, AMD claims the new architecture is inherently more reliable than competing MLC (multi-level cell) products.

With MirrorBit employing two distinct charge areas in a memory cell, the threshold voltage margins are the same as for single bit Flash memory. Read, write and erase operations can be performed at full speed, giving up to 16-fold improvements - AMD claims - in write-access performance compared to competing MLC products.

The first members of the family of products based on the new architecture are the Am29LV640M and Am29LV641M MirrorBit Flash memory devices. These offer 64Mb of Flash memory, operating at 3.0 volts, with asynchronous access times as fast as 90 nanoseconds. They are priced at $7.95 in quantities of 10,000.

To help system designers, the new architecture maintains complete pin-compatibility with existing AMD Flash product families. The company also promises an easy migration path to 1Gb Flash memory storage in the future.

The benefits should be seen in devices such as cell phones, PDAs, car PCs, telecomm equipment, and TV set-top boxes.

You can find more MirrorBit information on the AMD Web site.