TA254

TECHNICAL ARTICLE

M58LWxxC and M58LWxxD:

ST Introduces a New Family of Flash
Memories for High Performance Applications
Ruggero De Luca, Roberto Incerto, Marc Guedj,
Flash Memory Division,
STMicroelectronics,
Agrate, Italy

To meet designers' needs for Flash memories for

storing code and data in advanced applications,
STMicroelectronics has developed a new family
of high performance devices: the M58LWxxD and
the M58LWxxC series. Launched to supplement
the existing M58LWxxA and M58LWxxB families,
they are manufactured in the leading-edge
0.15µm process technology, offer fast read modes
and state-of-the-art data security mechanisms at
optimized cost.

The memory capacity ranges from 32 Mbits to

64 Mbits. The memory arrays of the 32-Mbit and
64-Mbit devices are divided into 32 and
64 uniform blocks of 1 Mbit each respectively.
The devices' common features are:
• Program/Erase Suspend capability supporting
simultaneous code and data storage
• Write to Buffer capability speeding up program-
ming
• Fast read access mode: Asynchronous Page
Read mode
• Block protection allowing data to be stored in a
protected area
• Core power supply from 2.7V to 3.6V.
The M58LW032D and M58LW064D are 8-bit or
16-bit wide data bus industry standard devices
targeting applications requiring Flash memories
for code and data storage without the additional
cost of enhanced features.
The M58LW032C and M58LW064C, equipped
with a fast synchronous Burst Read capability, are
best suited for digital consumer applications. The
minor differences from the D series are:
• Single 16-bit data bus width configuration
• 1.8V to VDD I/O power supply.

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The M58LWxxD and C series have all the assets
to replace competitors' solutions (see Table 1
below). The applications served by the C and D
series are consumer (set-top box), communica-
tions (cellular phones, PDA), networking (LAN
cards, routers), computer peripherals (printers),
automotive (car multimedia equipment) and
industrial applications (GPS systems, medical
equipment). However, some devices, thanks to
the fact that they are industry standard or are
endowed with advanced features, are best
adapted for specific applications.
Storing Code and Data on a Single Device
An increasing number of systems are relying on
multi-tasking applications where it is critical for the
software to access all of its parameters and data
in real-time while executing the code.
Flash memories from the M58LWxxxC and
M58LWxxD series solve this problem by providing
enough memory space (32 Mbits to 64 Mbits) to
store both the required code (executable code and
operating system) and user's and application data.
In addition, all the devices are equipped with a fast
Program/Erase Suspend capability. By enabling
read operations in one block while programming
has been suspended in the rest of the blocks, it
allows code execution and data storage to be
performed on the same device. Typically, a program
operation can be suspended in 10µs or less.

Parameter/Function M58LW032C M58LW032D Intel StrataFlash®

M58LW064C M58LW064D 28F320J3A and 28F640J3A
Core Power Supply VDD = 2.7 to 3.6V VDD = 2.7 to 3.6V VCC = 2.7 to 3.6V
Voltage
I/O Power Supply VDDQ = 1.8V to VDD VDDQ = 2.7 to 3.6V VCCQ = 2.7 to 3.6V
Voltage
Data Bus Width x16 x8 or x16 x8 or x16
Block Organization Uniform blocks of 1Mbit
Random Access 110ns 90, 110ns 110, 120ns
Yes
Burst Read Mode First 16-bit read: 72ns No No
Subsequent read: 18ns
Page Read Mode Yes
Fast Read Access 4-Word pages
Time in Page Mode 25ns
Max Standby Current 40µA 40µA 50µA
Program Operation 16-Word Write Buffer
Word Effective Program Time 12µs/Word 12µs/Word 13.6µs/Word
Typical Program Suspend 10µs 25µs
Latency Time
Typical Erase Suspend 10µs 26µs
Latency Time
CFI Yes
Data Security: Block Yes
Protection/Unprotection 128-bit Protection register
Packages TSOP56,TBGA64 TSOP56, EasyBGA64,
VFBGA48
Table 1: Benchmarking M58LWxxC, M58LWxxD and Intel StrataFlash® 28F320J3A and 28F640J3A
(ST evaluation based on the Intel document 290667-011, April 2002)

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Designing Portable Applications with
M58LWxxC and D devices
Portable applications such as personal digital
assistant (PDAs), hand-held computers and
mobile phones are quickly evolving to handle
more and more photos, video, multimedia
messages and interactive games, thus driving
requirements for higher data storage capacities
and higher memory bandwidth. To be successful
in the marketplace, portable applications must
meet key consumer criteria including high perfor-
mance, affordable pricing, compact size and
reduced power consumption in standby mode.
For memory devices, these demands result in fast
read access, optimized memory bandwidth, cost-
efficiency, space-saving packages, low standby
current and power consumption.
ST Flash memories from the M58LWxxC and D
family have all the assets to be used in hand-held
applications:
• Fast read access
All devices perform high-speed asynchronous
Page Read operations. The page size is 4
Words. In a Page Read operation, the first read
operation takes 90 or 110ns but subsequent
read operations in the same page take only
25ns
The M58LW032C and M58LW064C can inter-
face with new generation high-bandwidth
microprocessors that support Burst mode. This
allows the data output to be synchronized with
the 56MHz clock. In a Burst Read operation,
the first 16-bit Word Read takes about 72ns (4
clock cycles) but subsequent sequential read
operations take only 18ns
• Cost-efficiency and space-saving packages
Since they provide a single-device solution for
both code and data storage, designing with ST
Flash memories from the M58LWxxD and C
series allows the chip count to be reduced thus
saving space and optimizing cost. In addition,
all devices are available in small TSOP56
(14x20mm) and TBGA64 (10x13mm) packages
TA254 - TECHNICAL ARTICLE
• Reduced power consumption in standby mode
thanks to a standby current lower than 40µs.
M58LWxxC Assets for Consumer Application
Consumer applications such as set-top boxes
(STBs), digital video disks (DVDs), digital still
cameras, PDAs and camcorders are supporting
more and more complex application codes while
handling faster streams of data (MPEG files for
STBs). They are therefore driving the demand for
higher density, faster read access and cost-opti-
mized memories for both data storage and code
execution.Furthermore, increased data security
remains one of the major criteria that memories
must comply with for consumer applications.
For these applications, the M58LW032C and
M58LW064C are ideal since they offer all the
features required by advanced consumer equip-
ment:
• Data security
In many applications, the boot code, the appli-
cation code and some critical data have to be
protected from accidental programming or eras-
ing. The Block Protection/Unprotection capabil-
ity allows any combination of memory blocks to
be locked, disabling program and erase opera-
tions. All blocks can be unlocked simultane-
ously to allow changing data or updating code
• High density
The M58LWxxC series is available with densi-
ties of up to 64 Mbits allowing code and data to
be stored on a single device, thus minimizing
the chip count and total component cost
• Fast read access
The 56MHz synchronous Burst Read mode of
the M58LWxxC series allows code execution
from the Flash memory without the need for an
additional RAM for indirect execution.
M58LWxxD Pervading Networking Applications
The new generation of networking equipment
must support multimedia services at ever higher
speeds. They therefore demand higher-density
and higher-bandwidth Flash memories. Among
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the new applications, LAN modules (LAN cards,

routers and switches) is the ones that require
higher Flash memory density. In order to gain
significant market share, ST has developed the
M58LW032D and M58LW064D that can boast a
full pin-out and software compatibility with indus-
try standard devices.

Assets and Perspectives

With the M58LW032D, M58LW064D,
M58LW032C and M58LW064C, ST has launched
a new family of high performance competitive
Flash memories. This set of products includes
many features that will contribute to designing
leading-edge applications at optimized cost.

To meet the requirements of future applications,

the M58LWxxD the M58LWxxC series will be
enriched with 128-Mbit devices in the near future.

If you have any questions or suggestions concerning the matters raised in this document please send them to the follow-
ing electronic mail address:

ask.memory@st.com (for general enquiries)

Please remember to include your name, company, location, telephone number and fax number.

Information furnished is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, STMicroelectronics assumes no responsibility for the consequences
of use of such information nor for any infringement of patents or other rights of third parties which may result from its use. No license is gran-
ted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of STMicroelectronics. Specifications mentioned in this publication are
subject to change without notice. This publication supersedes and replaces all information previously supplied. STMicroelectronics products
are not authorized for use as critical components in life support devices or systems without express written approval of STMicroelectronics.

The ST logo is a registered trademark of STMicroelectronics

® StrataFlash is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
All other names are the property of their respective owners

© 2002 STMicroelectronics - All Rights Reserved

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