Numonyx serial flash range targets embedded market

The line extends the range of Numonyx memory products designed for the rigorous code and data reliability needs of the embedded market.

The Numonyx Forte N25Q serial flash range is designed to deliver the highest performance, flexibility and reliability for today's most popular embedded applications found in PCs, set-top boxes and communications devices.

Numonyx has added two new products at 128Mb densities in 3 and 1.8V versions manufactured on 65nm technology.

The latest product extends and improves the design flexibility and usability of serial flash memory with the introduction of what is said to be the industry's first Non-Volatile Configuration Register.

This feature optimises the device configuration by allowing multiple parameter options that are best suited for the application and maintains the settings after the power on and off cycle.

This non-volatile capability enhances the flexibility of execute-in-place (XIP) memory systems by eliminating the need to reset the device after each power cycle, and improves performance by reducing the number of clock cycles.

Designing with the Forte N25Q family also presents the opportunity to reduce the DRAM in the system by executing the code directly from the flash device, saving cost and board space for customers.

The N25Q serial flash memory supports multiple I/O SPI protocols (single, dual and quad) on the same device.

Numonyx has significantly improved the read and write speeds over the entire supply voltage range, improving clock speeds from 75 to 108MHz and up to four times, or 432MHz, in the Quad I/O mode.

At 3 and 1.8V, the Forte N25Q is suitable for a range of applications, including battery-operated devices such as hand-held or consumer electronics.

For embedded customers, long-term support and architectural continuity is essential.

The N25Q range on 65nm gives customers a future roadmap on common architectures and offers existing customers a backward-compatible solution with other Numonyx serial flash memory products, including the Numonyx Forte M25P and M25PX flash memory product lines.

Production quantities of the Forte N25Q 128Mb in 3 and 1.8V are available now.