Business Editors/High-Tech Writers
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 11, 2004--
New spiFlash Memories Support 50 Megahertz Clock Frequency;
Parameter Page Feature Eliminates Need for Serial EEPROM
NexFlash Technologies, Inc., a pioneer in Serial Flash technology,
today announced availability of the newest members of its spiFlash(TM)
line of Serial Flash memories, featuring the highest densities and
clock frequency to date. The NexFlash spiFlash NX25P16 16-megabit (Mb)
and 8Mb NX25P80 devices feature the popular Serial Peripheral
Interface (SPI), the industry's fastest clock speed of 50 megahertz,
and an efficient new Parameter Page feature that can eliminate the
need for a separate Serial EEPROM.
With the addition of the NX25P16 to the spiFlash line, NexFlash
now offers the highest-density Serial Flash memory devices to be
housed in an 8-pin SOIC package (less than one-half the space of other
16Mb SOIC packages). The NexFlash spiFlash family now features 1Mb,
2Mb, 4Mb, 8Mb and 16Mb Serial Flash memories, the only Serial Flash
memory line with a common SOIC footprint from 1Mb to 16Mb. NexFlash
also plans to add 32Mb and 64Mb densities in 2005. NexFlash spiFlash
memories are ideal for Serial code-storage in DVD drives, wireless
LANs, ADSL modems, printers, and other emerging applications.
"The trend towards replacing Parallel with Serial Flash for
code-storage is gaining momentum," said Robin Jigour, vice president
of marketing at NexFlash. "Our spiFlash line is targeted at these
emerging controller-based applications that are fueling the demand for
Serial Flash with higher densities, fast clock rates and small
packages. The market for Serial Flash memories is forecasted to grow
from $375M in 2004 to over $1 billion in revenue by 2007*, we expect
our spiFlash memories to become an integral factor in that market's
growth by providing manufacturers with a wide array of density and
packaging options."
Parameter Page Reduces Chip Count; Small Package Enables Common
Footprint
The spiFlash NX25P16 and NX25P80 Serial Flash devices include a
Parameter Page feature that provides an additional programmable "page"
(256-bytes) separate from the main array. The page can be quickly
erased and reprogrammed, making it suitable for storing configuration
settings, serial numbers, code revisions and other parameter
information commonly kept in small Serial EEPROMs. The feature can
eliminate the need for an additional EEPROM in some systems, resulting
in system space and cost savings.
While other Serial Flash manufacturers have moved to larger
packages as memory densities ascend, NexFlash is offering
higher-capacity devices in small eight-pin SOIC packages commonly used
for lower densities. With similar packages across the range of
densities, from 1Mb to 16Mb, manufacturers can utilize the same
footprint and form factor as they upgrade designs.
"Eight- and 16-Mb Serial Flash memories are experiencing higher
demand as original equipment manufacturers using Flash memory are
understanding the benefits of smaller packaging, lower pin count and
reduced system cost in offering Serial instead of parallel Flash
devices for a wide range of applications," said Alan Niebel of
Web-Feet Research, a leading analyst of the memory-chip industry.
"NexFlash is hitting on a critical segment of the market with the
NX25P80 and NX25P16, as they fill the need for higher densities but
maintain the small footprint."
The NX25P80 and NX25P16 are the newest members of NexFlash's
successful spiFlash Serial Flash memory family, which feature the
popular Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), fast clock speeds of up to
50MHz and industrial temperature operation. Introduced in 2003, the
spiFlash line includes a range of density and packaging options,
enabling designers to select the optimum memory for their Serial Flash
application. Pin-compatible with other manufacturers' similar- and
lower-capacity devices, the spiFlash line enables simple replacement
of those devices, while adding unique NexFlash features to existing
and new designs.
Availability, Pricing
The NX25P80 and NX25P16 are available in 8-pin 208mil SOIC
packages at $1.83 and $2.64, respectively, in 1,000 unit quantities.
Optional 6x5mm MLP (8Mb), 16-pin 300mil SOIC (16Mb) and 8x6mm MLP
(16Mb) package are also offered. Please contact NexFlash for lead-time
and higher volume pricing.
About NexFlash
NexFlash Technologies, Inc. is a developer and provider of Serial
Flash Memory products for today's emerging electronic applications.
The company's spiFlash memories are tailored for serial code storage
applications such as DVD/CD drives, hard disk drives, wireless LANs,
network cards, DSL models, printers, set-top boxes, FPGAs and more.
NexFlash was founded in October 1998 and is a partially owned
subsidiary of Winbond Electronics Corp. NexFlash holds numerous
patents on its technology and has established strategic alliances with
Sharp Corporation and Winbond Electronics. For more information please
visit the NexFlash Website at www.nexflash.com.
* Source: Web-Feet Research
NexFlash and spiFlash are trademarks of NexFlash Technologies Inc.
All other product names that appear in this material are for
identification purposes only and are acknowledged to be trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective companies.
--30--AM/sf*
CONTACT: NexFlash Technologies Inc.
Robin Jigour, 408-907-3638
robin_jigour@nexflash.com
or
CommonGround Communications (for NexFlash)
Jerry Steach, 415-222-9996
jsteach@pacbell.net
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS HARDWARE SOFTWARE PRODUCT
SOURCE: NexFlash Technologies, Inc.
Copyright Business Wire 2004
