Santa Clara, Calif. - Integrated Silicon Solution Inc. and Silicon Storage Technology Inc. have each tucked flash with SRAM into multichip packages (MCPs). Applications for such devices include pagers, PDAs, 2.5- and third-generation cellular phones, wireless modems, games, digital video camcorders, MP3 players and global positioning systems.
"MCP modules are more space-efficient for mobile applications requiring high performance and low power consumption," said Sanjiv Asthana, vice president of marketing at Integrated Silicon Solution here. ISSI combines low-power, asynchronous SRAM with 16-, 32- and 64-Mbit NOR flash memory in top and bottom flash-sector configurations, in a fine-pitch ball grid array (FBGA). Available densities are 16-Mbit flash with 4-Mbit SRAM; 32-Mbit flash with 4- or 8-Mbit SRAM; and 64-Mbit flash with 8-Mbit SRAM.
The memory devices operate over a 2.7- to 3.3-volt range. To prolong battery life, standby power is 5 microamps for the SRAM and 0.2 microamps for the flash. In quantities of 10,000, prices range from $9 for the 16-Mbit flash/4-Mbit SRAM to $20 for the 64-Mbit flash with 8-Mbit SRAM.
Concentrating on low-density, small-form-factor requirements, the ComboMemory family from Silicon Storage Technology (Sunnyvale, Calif.) includes the SST32HF202 (2-Mbit flash plus 2-Mbit SRAM) and the SST32HF402 (4-Mbit flash plus 2-Mbit SRAM), each packaged in a 6 x 8 x 1.4-mm lead-free FBGA MCP.
Paul Lui, vice president of SST's special-product group, said the ComboMemories let engineers migrate designs from standard flash to a combined flash/SRAM while maintaining the same footprint.
Both devices are in production, priced at $3.95 in lots of 10,000 for the SST32HF202 and $4.95 for the SST32HF402. Lead-free packaging is available at no additional cost.
ISSI
(408) 588-0800
www.issi.com
EETInfo No. 619
SST
(408) 735-9110
www.sst.com
EETInfo No. 620
