Serial Flash memory runs down to 1.8V

Allows system designers to create applications that can use a single supply voltage for all components in the system while also saving a significant amount of cost.

Available now in production quantities from Atmel, the AT25DF081 is billed as the industry's first 8Mbit serial Flash device capable of operating at 1.8V.

With a lowVage operating range of 1.65 to 1.95V, the AT25DF081 operates at the same voltage range as many current and upcoming sub-90nm ASICs and processors/controllers, which allows system designers to finally create applications that can use a single supply voltage for all components in the system while also saving a significant amount of cost.

Unlike devices that are screened to operate at lower voltages and subsequently derated, the AT25DF081 was designed specifically to operate at 1.8V, enabling the device to retain the same high levels of performance as its 3V counterpart.

Atmel developed the AT25DF081 based on direct, specific needs from its customers who use the devices to store both program code and data in battery-powered, portable consumer products such as personal media players (PMPs) and smartphones.

The AT25DF081 addresses the key, main concerns when choosing to use Serial Flash for portable designs.

First and foremost, because the AT25DF081 is used as a boot and code shadowing Flash memory, read performance from the Serial Flash is critical in order to keep the applications' power-up boot time as short as possible to appease the instant-on expectations of consumers.

The 66MHz operation of the AT25DF081 addresses this concern and can enable an application to shadow the entire contents of the memory in under a very short 130ms.

The 1.8V capability of the AT25DF081 solves the additional, common issues that plague any portable design.

By having a complete system operate at a unified 1.8V, system designs can be fully optimised to provide the lowest power consumption and longest battery life possible.

Precious board space, weight, and system cost can also be significantly reduced by simplifying the embedded power-supply circuitry and eliminating the need for an additional LDO (low dropout regulator) and associated passive components that would otherwise be necessary for a 3V serial Flash memory.

In addition, since the AT25DF081 can operate at the same voltage as the ASIC or processor/controller, there is no need for level shifters on control and data lines, resulting in further savings.

"Ever since Atmel introduced the world's first serial Flash in 1997, we have been a consistent leader in serial Flash memories and have continued to work diligently to align our product roadmaps with our customers', ensuring that we define the right products to meet their future design needs", stated Richard De Caro, Atmel's Director of Strategic Marketing for its Memory Business Unit.

"The AT25DF081 is a clear case in which we listened to our customers and developed a product that allows them to design their applications to be smaller, lighter, and last longer, all at a lower cost and without sacrificing performance", continued De Caro.

The AT25DF081 is available now for both samples and production volumes.

The AT25DF081 is offered in three different package options comprising of an 8-lead, 150-mil wide "narrow-body" SOIC, an 8-contact, 5 x 6 x 0.6mm ultrathin DFN (UDFN), and an extremely small, 0.4mm thin 11-ball dBGA (WLCSP).

In 10,000 unit quantities, prices start at US $0.66, $0.70 and $0.83 for the three respective package options.

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