SUNNYVALE, Calif.--Silicon Storage Technology Inc. here today (Feb. 27) claimed to be the first to offer a 3-megabit flash memory chip for basic input/output (bios) firmware storage in computers based on the Intel Hub Architecture.
According to SST, most system vendors now use 4-Mbit firmware hub flash products in their designs, and the new 3-Mbit SST49LF003A will provide better software granularity for improved memory utilization by partitioning bios and embedded operating system applications for the Intel Hub Architecture. The 3-Mbit flash memory array overlays on top of the standard 4-Mbit firmware device, said the Sunnyvale company.
SST said its new firmware hub flash (FWH) device incorporates the proprietary FWH interface protocol licensed from Intel Corp., making the memories read-compatible with Intel's 82802 Firmware Hub product. The 82802 chip is part of Intel's 800 series hub architecture chip sets that optimize performance of computer systems based on the company's central processor units.
"The development of SST's 3 M-bit firmware hub will allow system vendors, who currently use 4-Mbitdevices, to migrate to a lower cost alternative and in turn reduce their overall system costs," said Eugene Feng, business director of the Application Specific Product Group at SST.
Housed in a 32-bit package, the SST49LF003A 3-Mbit flash chip is priced at $2.65 each in quantities of 100,000. Samples are available now with volume production slated to start in the second quarter of 2001.
