Industry's fastest 256Mb quad serial peripeheral interface NOR flash memory

Cypress Semiconductor has introduced a 256Mb NOR Flash memory with a Quad Serial Peripheral Interface (Quad SPI). The FL-L NOR Flash device combines the Quad SPI with a 4KB uniform sector size to deliver the industry's highest read bandwidth and fastest program time while enabling a small PCB layout. Using small, uniform physical memory sectors allows the device to optimally store program code and parametric data. The device is ideal for high-performance applications, such as video game consoles, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), automotive instrument clusters and infotainment systems, networking equipment and set-top boxes. High-performance system designs require the highest read bandwidth for program execution, a small low-pin-count package and the fastest program and sector erase times. Cypress's 256Mb FL-L Quad SPI NOR Flash memory leverages a 66-MHz Double Data Rate (DDR) mode to deliver read bandwidth of 66 MBps and enable the fastest program execution for high-performance systems. The device is available in small 48-mm2 packages that save board space and simplify layout. The device provides a 0.30-ms program time per 256 bytes, increasing manufacturing throughput, and a 50-ms sector erase time, enabling new data to be written quickly. The memories provide low standby current and a deep-power-down mode that extends battery life for battery powered applications. The FL-L NOR Flash family offers AEC-Q100 automotive qualification and supports an extended temperature range of -40C to +125C, says the company. "Designers of high-performance systems require fast, low-pin-count Quad SPI NOR Flash memories, and our newest FL-L device is tailor-made to deliver the bandwidth and small form factor for these applications," said Anup Sidhu, director of SPI product marketing, Cypress. "This new device is another example of Cypress's commitment to expand our market-leading NOR Flash portfolio of high-performance memories for embedded systems." Cypress's 256Mb FL-L Quad SPI NOR Flash memory is now sampling in space-saving 24-ball BGA, 16-pin SOIC and 8-contact WSON packages. Production will begin in the first quarter of 2016, says the company.