Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

[KeithDust2000]

Spansion to extend flash range with logic IP deals

John Walko
EE Times
(11/15/2005 7:13 AM EST)

LONDON — Spansion, the flash memory venture between AMD and Fujitsu, is planning to collaborate with ‘strategic partners’ to integrate logic blocks into its MirrorBit technology that would form the basis of a new line of products dubbed Logic on Flash.

The first collaboration, announced Tuesday (Nov. 15), is with M-Systems. Future deals are likely to focus on IP modules such as memory controllers, power management modules, I/O interfaces including USB 2.0 and MMC.

The co-development with M-Systems is expected to lead to tightly integrated monolithic designs combining the flash media, controller and the security core. This would allow for enhanced system architecture, increased security capabilities and streamlined system design, at the same time offering ‘significant’ production advantages.

The initial devices from the Spansion/M-Systems deal will be targeted at mobile applications.

"By combining Spansion's logic-based design flow and third-party IP, we can offer the industry value-added flash memory solutions with enhanced performance and integration at economical price points," said Bertrand Cambou, president and CEO of Spansion, in a statement.

Spansion says the Logic on Flash range will offer clear low power advantages and be an important addition to its Multi-chip package (MCP) memory devices and Package-on-Chip technology.

The parts will initially be manufactured on Spansion’s 90-nm process technology.

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