STMicroelectronics Announces Very Fast 2-Mbit Low-Voltage Serial Flash Chip That Stores Code and Data.Business & High-Tech Editors GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 20, 2001 STMicroelectronics (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : STM (Scanning Tunneling Microscope) A microscope that can image down to the atomic level. An STM uses a piezoelectric tube with a tiny sharp tip at the end that is moved within nanometers of the object being sampled. ) has introduced a 2-Mbit serial flash memory chip, which provides very fast access and user-friendliness for advanced applications. The M25P20 operates from a single 2.7V to 3.6V supply voltage, enabling storage of both data and program, can be read, programmed and erased faster than its predecessors. This device features sequential and random read operation, page mode programming, sector and bulk erase modes, and a 25MHz (MegaHertZ) One million cycles per second. It is used to measure the transmission speed of electronic devices, including channels, buses and the computer's internal clock. A one-megahertz clock (1 MHz) means some number of bits (16, 32, 64, etc. SPI-compatible serial bus. As a result, the M25P20 is suitable for a wide variety of computer applications, such as printers, hard-disk drives, graphic cards, add-on cards, and consumer applications including digital set-top boxes, home appliances, embedded web servers and digital still cameras. Other applications include automotive and telecom devices and industrial and medical equipment. The M25P20 contains four sectors of 256 pages each. The memory's page program instruction writes one to 256 bytes at a time. The entire memory can be erased at once using a bulk erase instruction. Alternatively, one sector at a time can be erased using a sector erase instruction. Instructions are completed quickly, saving time during operation, as well as during production testing and programming. Among the M25P20's industry-leading performance figures are 84us for a full memory read operation (at 2.7V); 2us (typical) for 256-byte page programming; and 64 Kbytes sector and 256 Kbytes erase operations of 2s and 4s (typical), respectively. Allowing either random or sequential read operations, the serial memory reduces the number of instructions needed compared to a parallel architecture, simplifying development. The four-wire SPI-compatible serial interface clocks at a top rate of 25MHz. Other features of the M25P20 include a -40(degree) to +85(degree) temperature range, 1uA (typical) deep power-down mode, and an 8-bit electronic signature. Drawing on ST's high-endurance CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) Pronounced "c-moss." The most widely used integrated circuit design. It is found in almost every electronic product from handheld devices to mainframes. flash technology, the M25P20 allows at least 100,000 program-erase cycles per sector. The memory also retains data for at least 20 years. The M25P20 enlarges the M25Pxx family of serial flash ICs that reflects a trend away from parallel architectures toward space-saving serial designs. By the end of first quarter 2002, 4-Mbit devices and above, are due to be announced To be announced (TBA) A contract for the purchase or sale of an MBS to be delivered at an agreed-upon future date but does not include a specified pool number and number of pools or precise amount to be delivered. . The M25P20 2-Mbit serial flash memory comes in a 150-mil-wide SO8 package and is available now. About STMicroelectronics STMicroelectronics is the world's third largest independent semiconductor company. The Company shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) World's largest marketplace for securities. The exchange began as an informal meeting of 24 men in 1792 on what is now Wall Street in New York City. , on Euronext Paris Euronext Paris is France's securities market, formerly known as the Paris Bourse, which merged with the Amsterdam and Brussels exchanges in September 2000 to form Euronext NV, which is the second largest exchange in Europe behind the London Stock Exchange. and on the Milan Stock Exchange Milan Stock Exchange The largest regional stock exchange in Italy, facilitating more than 90% of the country's trading volume. . The Company designs, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of semiconductor integrated circuits Integrated circuits Miniature electronic circuits produced within and upon a single semiconductor crystal, usually silicon. Integrated circuits range in complexity from simple logic circuits and amplifiers, about 1/20 in. (1. (ICs) and discrete devices used in a wide variety of microelectronic applications, including telecommunications systems, computer systems, consumer products, automotive products and industrial automation and control systems. In 2000, the Company's net revenues were $7,813.2 million and net earnings were $1,452.1 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com. |
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