New family of 3V Serial Quad I/O (SQI) interface SuperFlash memory devices

Microchip has introduced a new family of 3V Serial Quad I/O (SQI) interface SuperFlash memory devices. The SST26VF three-member '26 Series' SQI interface family is available with 16-Mbit, 32-Mbit or 64-Mbit of memory and is manufactured using Microchip’s high-performance CMOS SuperFlash technology, which provides the industry’s fastest erase times and superior reliability using SuperFlash technology, says the company. Sector and block erase commands are completed in just 18ms, and a full chip erase operation is completed in 35ms. Competing devices typically require 10 to 20 seconds to complete a full chip erase operation, making the SST26VF approximately 400 times faster. These fast erase times can provide a significant cost savings to customers, by minimising the time required for testing and firmware updates, and therefore increasing their manufacturing throughput. Microchip’s SQI interface is a low pin-count, high-speed 104 MHz quad-bit address and data multiplex I/O serial interface, which allows for high data throughput in a small package. This interface enables low-latency execute-in-place (XIP) capability with minimal processor buffer memory, reducing the overall design footprint compared to traditional parallel memory interfaces. The SST26VF family provides faster data throughput than a comparable x16 parallel Flash device, without the associated high cost and high pin-count of parallel Flash. The SQI interface also offers full command-set backward compatibility for the ubiquitous Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) protocol. Designed for low power consumption, the SST26VF is ideal for energy-efficient embedded systems. Standby current consumption is 15 µA, typical, and the active read current at 104 MHz is 15 mA, typical. The combination of 3V operation with low power consumption and small-form-factor packaging makes the SST26VF devices ideal for applications such as servers, printers, cloud computing systems, HDTV, Internet gateways, appliances, security systems, and a broad range of embedded systems. The SST26VF devices also offer exceptional quality and reliability, with 100 years of data retention and device endurance of over 100,000 erase/write cycles. Enhanced safety features include software write protection of individual blocks for flexible data/code protection; the upper and lower 64 Kbytes of memory are partitioned into smaller, 8 Kbyte sectors that can both read- and write-lock. In addition, the devices include a One-Time Programmable (OTP) 2 Kbyte Secure ID area, consisting of a 64-bit, factory-programmed unique ID and a user-programmable block. These features protect against unauthorised access and malicious read, programme and erase intentions. The devices also include a JEDEC-compliant Serial Flash Discoverable Parameter (SFDP) table, which contains identifying information about the functions and capabilities of the SST26VF devices for simpler software design. The family comprises the 16-Mbit SST26VF016B; the 32-Mbit SST26VF032B; and the 64-Mbit SST26VF064B. The devices are available now for sampling and volume production in multiple package options, including 8-pin SOIC and SOIJ, 16-pin SOIC, 8-contact WDFN and 24-ball TBGA, as well as in die and wafer form, says the company.