Microchip expands serial quad I/O family with new high-performance, feature-rich 3V, 32-Mbit SQI serial flash memory

CHANDLER, USA: Microchip Technology Inc. expanded its Serial Quad I/O (SQI) Flash memory family, with the new SST26VF032 3V, 32-Mbit SQI Flash memory device. Building on the success of the innovative SST26 Series family of products, this new 4-bit, multiplexed I/O serial interface Flash memory device features an enhanced serial-interface architecture that allows for low-power, high-performance operation and flexible data/code-protection schemes.

With an 80 MHz operating frequency and a specialized instruction set, the SST26VF032 targets execute-in-place (XIP) applications, allowing programs to be stored and executed directly from the Flash memory, which increases overall system performance without the need for code shadowing on a RAM device.

The SST26VF032 is offered in a compact, 6 mm x 5 mm, 8-pin WSON package and an 8-pin SOIC package, which reduces board space and lowers system costs. This device is ideal for a wide variety of applications, such as mobile handsets, DVD and Blu-ray players, printers, digital TVs, network appliances, GPS devices, DSL and cable modems, smart meters and more.

The SST26VF032 meets customer demand for high-performance, low-power-consumption, reliable Flash memory. The device features industry-leading low latency and burst-mode operation, which allows code execution in burst snippets to fill cache-line buffers and maximize system bandwidth in applications without RAM.

Additionally, the device features index memory operation, which accelerates memory data access without the need to load an entire address. These features combine to enable true XIP performance.

The device’s proprietary, CMOS SuperFlash technology increases manufacturing throughput by enabling an industry-leading typical program time of 1 ms, and a typical erase time of 18 ms. The device also offers enhanced security features, including block protection, block-protection lockdown and a one-time programmable area, which protect against unauthorized access and malicious read, program and erase intentions.

The SST26VF032 features an active read current of 12 milliamperes (typical), a standby current of 8 microamperes (typical) and low leakage current of 1 microamperes (max), which combine to extend battery life in applications. Additionally, the highly reliable device has an endurance rate of 100,000 erase/write cycles, with a minimum of 100 years of data retention, providing a long product life and low failure rates.

“Microchip’s broadened SQI Flash memory product portfolio serves our customers’ growing demand for low pin count, high-bandwidth Flash memory devices,” said Sirak Brook, director of Microchip’s SuperFlash Memory Division. “The SST26VF032 is a total solution for applications that require serial Flash memory with XIP performance, lower power consumption and flexible data/code protection.”

Developers can begin designing with the SST26VF032 Flash memory today, using Verilog and IBIS models, which can simulate SST26VF032 device behavior in the system.

The SST26VF032 is available in a 6 mm x 5 mm, 8-pin WSON package for $2.20 each, and an 8-pin SOIC package for $2.07 each, in 10,000-unit quantities.