SST Announces Boot-Strap Loader for FlashFlex51 Family.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

Embedded Systems Conference Spring 2000

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 29, 2000

New Boot-Strap Loader Demo Kit Provides Cost Savings;

Adds Flexibility to the Manufacturing Cycle;

and Provides Easy In-Field Software Upgrades

SST (Silicon Storage Technology, Inc., NASDAQ:SSTI) today announced the availability of a Boot-Strap Loader (BSL) demo kit to accompany its newly-enhanced SuperFlash(R)-based FlashFlex51(TM) family of 8-bit, 8051-compatible microcontrollers, also announced today(1). The BSL demo kit allows users to gain familiarity with the BSL code that is resident in the internal memory of the FlashFlex51 microcontroller. The BSL code provides an easy way for users to install their application code into their end-use products during manufacturing. This helps streamline the manufacturing cycle by allowing users to easily install their application code directly into the FlashFlex51 microcontroller using the low-cost BSL demo kit as a platform, thereby avoiding the costly and time-consuming manufacturing step of having to use a third-party programmer.

The BSL kit also allows users another way to take advantage of the FlashFlex51's In-Application Programming(TM) (IAP(TM)) capability. SST designed a unique architecture for the FlashFlex51 family whereby the on-chip flash memory is mapped into two independent banks. This unique dual memory bank architecture results in an IAP mode that allows the CPU to run user programs from one bank while servicing a flash programming operation in the background on the other bank concurrently. With the IAP mode, users can load original and updated BSL code into the FlashFlex51 while the system is still running, thereby enabling real time field upgrades of software without having to turn the system off-line. Customers can also use the demo kit as a low-cost platform to download various application codes, which they can use to evaluate in their product designs, allowing product differentiation and quicker time-to-market.

"Our new Boot-Strap Loader is another example of the flexibility and versatility that our FlashFlex51 family offers customers," said Eugene Feng, director of marketing at SST. "Many of our FlashFlex51 customers have unique software needs, depending on the target market and application. With the Boot-Strap Loader, customers can easily download their required software, and since the boot-strap loader code is resident in the FlashFlex51, customers have the flexibility to add or update the software very late in the manufacturing cycle."

       Key Features of Boot-Strap Loader Demo Kit

--   Menu-driven user interface
     --Allows easy operation and programming

--   Security lock setting
     --Prevents both accidental overwriting of program memory and
       software piracy

--   Automatic baud rate detection
     --Simplifies communication with host PC

Pricing and Availability

SST's Boot-Strap Loader demo kit for the FlashFlex51 family is available now for $99. For ordering information, please contact SST distributors.

About SuperFlash Technology

SST's SuperFlash technology is a NOR type, split-gate cell architecture which uses a reliable thick-oxide process with fewer manufacturing steps resulting in a low-cost, nonvolatile memory solution with excellent data retention and higher reliability. The split-gate NOR SuperFlash architecture facilitates a simple and flexible design suitable for high performance, high reliability, small or medium sector size, in- or off-system programming and a variety of densities, all in a single CMOS-compatible technology.

About Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.

Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, SST designs, manufactures and markets a diversified range of nonvolatile memory solutions, based on proprietary, patented SuperFlash technology, for high volume applications in the digital consumer, networking, wireless communication and Internet computing markets. SST's product families include high-functionality flash memory components, CompactFlash card mass storage products and 8-bit microcontrollers with on-chip flash memory. SST also offers its SuperFlash technology for embedded applications through its world-class manufacturing partners and technology licensees IBM, Motorola, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., SANYO Electric Co., Ltd., Seiko Epson Corp., TSMC-Acer Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TASMC) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSMC). Further information on SST can be found on the company's website at http://www.ssti.com.

For more information about SST and the company's comprehensive list of product offerings, please call 1-888/SST-CHIP or 1-888/221-1178 (North America) or 1-732/544-2873 (International) for SST's literature fax-on-demand service. Information can also be requested via email to [e-mail] or through SST's website at http://www.ssti.com. SST is located at 1171 Sonora Court, Sunnyvale, Calif.; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone].

Note to Editors: The SST logo and SuperFlash are registered trademarks of Silicon Storage Technology, Inc. FlashFlex51, In-Application Programming and IAP are trademarks of Silicon Storage Technology, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

(1) For more information see related SST press release titled, "SST Enhances FlashFlex51 Microcontroller Product Family," also announced today.