
US
: STMicroelectronics announced a new MCP (Multi-Chip Package) memory
portfolio designed to meet the needs of multimedia applications in
3G and CDMA mobile phones, and in other portable devices, where memory
requirements are high and space and power are limited.
The
series offers memory densities up to 1-Gbit of NAND Flash with up
to 512-Mbit of LPSDRAM (Low-Power Synchronous Dynamic RAM) in a single
package, and has been developed in close cooperation with chipset
enablers and operating system (OS) vendors to ensure that it matches
the requirements of phone manufacturers and is compliant with the
major mobile platforms.
Demand for multimedia applications
on 3G phones is increasing rapidly, and today’s models are capable
of taking pictures, playing and capturing video, and web surfing.
The requirements of advanced image and audio processing capability,
faster throughput and greater storage is changing the phone’s
structure from a simple voice signal receiver and transmitter to a
PC-like architecture that is more general-purpose and is able to recognize
and properly use data for images, video and audio.
Multi-chip packages mount
two (or more) chips in a single package to minimize the space required
in critical applications, while increasing the memory density and
offering the necessary different memory types. ST is a leader in MCP
design and manufacturing technology, and has designed the new series
to offer the widest range of NAND Flash and LPSDRAM combinations in
one package, providing fast time-to-market and high design flexibility,
and satisfying customers’ differing handset memory requirements.
The new MCPs can be configured
in many different ways to match a variety of specific applications:
bus width, memory density, clock frequency and data rate can be configured
to meet specific requirements. The NAND Flash and LPSDRAM components
have separate power supplies and ground lines, as well as separate
control, address and I/O signals, to allow simultaneous access to
both chips.
ST’s MCP options
allow mobile phone makers to reduce the space requirement of their
products – following the miniaturization trend of the market
– and benefit from fast processing speed with low power consumption.
The devices offer high memory density for storage of multimedia objects
and have high data throughput. Other handheld applications include
PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) and GPS (Global Positioning System)
units. All combinations are available now and offered in a range of
BGA packages fully compatible with other devices available on the
market.
Memory combinations available,
initially, in the new MCP portfolio are:
NAND
LPSDRAM
Package Size
Ball Out
NAND-01Gbit
SDR 512 Mbit(2x256)
10.5 x 13 x 1.4mm
LFBGA 137
NAND-256Mb
SDR/DDR 256Mbit
10 x 13.5 x 1.2mm
TFBGA 149
NAND-01Gbit
DDR 512 Mbit
10 x 13.5 x 1.2mm
TFBGA 149
NAND-01Gbit
SDR 512 Mbit
10.5 x 13 x 1.2mm
TFBGA 107
NAND-512MB
DDR 256 Mbit
10 x 13.5 x 1.2mm
TFBGA 149
NAND-512MB
SDR 256 Mbit
10.5 x 13 x 1.2mm
TFBGA 107
Prices for the NAND Flash
MCP devices range from $11 to $17 in large volumes from 1000k onwards.