AMD Announces a Major Advancement in Flash Memory Test Technology; Industry Leading Access Speeds Now Available In Known Good Die -- KGD -- Form.

Business Editors and High-Tech Writers

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 26, 2001

AMD (NYSE:AMD) today announced a major advancement in Flash memory test technology that allows the company to test bare die, Burst Mode Flash memory devices.

This breakthrough enables AMD to guarantee high performance Flash memory in a smaller, space saving form factor that can operate at very high temperatures. Advanced automotive engine control units, network cards and handheld organizers are some of the applications that will benefit from this technology. As a result of these latest developments, AMD introduced the Am29BL162C, a 16Mb Burst mode Flash memory device in the extraordinarily small AMD Known Good Die (KGD) form factor.

Devices that are in a bare die/unpackaged form are extremely difficult to test. AMD, however, has developed an innovative series of complex test and manufacturing procedures that allow the company to offer AMD KGD Flash memory products. These bare die devices are completely tested for functionality and speed. In fact, AMD guarantees that its KGD products have the same reliability and quality as AMD Flash memory in packaged form.

"AMD is leading the industry in pioneering test solutions," said Joe Rauschmayer, vice president of product line engineering for AMD's Memory Group. "AMD's extensive investments in the research and development of proprietary test technologies enable us to guarantee Flash memory in KGD form. By building on the experience gained from shipping more than 10 million KGD devices, AMD is now able to deliver the high performance Burst Mode, KGD solutions that our customers demand."

The KGD form also allows customers to use AMD Flash memory devices at temperatures that are higher than those allowed by conventional packaging. The Am29BL162C can operate at temperatures of 145(0)C. This ability to operate reliably at very high temperatures makes Burst Mode KGD Flash memory ideal for advanced automotive engine control systems where high performance under extreme conditions is required.

Am29BL162C, the industry's first 16Mb, KGD, Burst Mode device offers random read access times of 80 ns, and subsequent access times as fast as 22 ns. Since Burst Mode devices offer faster access times than asynchronous memory, the execution code can be stored directly within the Flash, eliminating the need for additional RAM or multiple interleaved Flash devices. These devices can often be interfaced directly to the processor, eliminating expensive glue logic thereby allowing designers to reduce the number of components used, the amount of power consumed and, ultimately, the overall system cost.

The Am29BL162C has very low power consumption with a read current as low as 15 mA depending on the burst speed and an extremely low standby current of only 22 uA. The 16Mb device is compatible with JEDEC standards and is backward compatible with AM29LVxx and Am29Fxxx Flash memory devices.

Applications

Embedded applications such as automotive engine control units, GPS, network interface cards, printers, modems, industrial controls, digital set-top boxes, and handheld organizers are some of the applications that can utilize the AM29BL162C high performance Flash memory device.

Price and Availability

The AM29BL162C is available now. Pricing is $13.20 in quantities of 10,000.

AMD Flash Memory Awards

AMD has been the recipient of numerous customer service, quality and technology awards. The most recent Flash memory awards include: Cisco Systems' highest customer satisfaction recognition -- the Cisco President's Award, the Nortel 2000 "Supplier of the Year" award, the Samsung 2000 "Best Supplier" award, the Volkswagen 1999 "Leading Edge" award and the Cisco 1999 "Semiconductor Supplier of the Year" award.

About AMD Flash Memory Devices

AMD technology is employed by the world's largest producer of Flash memory devices, Fujitsu AMD Semiconductor Ltd. (FASL). AMD Flash memory products encompass a broad spectrum of densities and features to support a wide range of markets. AMD Flash memory customers represent leaders in the automotive, networking, telecommunications and handheld mobile terminal markets. AMD offers many Flash memory products, such as the award-winning Simultaneous Read-Write (SRW) product family; Super Low Voltage 1.8V Flash memory devices; and Burst-and Page-Mode devices. AMD developed the robust Known Good Die (KGD) program and the patented negative gate erase technology, and refined the industry-standard Fine-pitch Ball Grid Array (FBGA).

All AMD Flash memory devices are guaranteed by AMD for a minimum of one million write cycles per sector and 20 years' data retention, making them the most reliable non-volatile memory devices in the industry.

About AMD

AMD is a global supplier of integrated circuits for the personal and networked computer and communications markets with manufacturing facilities in the United States, Europe, Japan, and Asia. AMD produces microprocessors, flash memory devices, and support circuitry for communications and networking applications. Founded in 1969 and based in Sunnyvale, Calif., AMD had revenues of $4.6 billion in 2000. (NYSE:AMD).

AMD is a trademark of Advanced Micro Devices Inc.