Micron BA NAND Combining MLC NAND With Memory Controller

Micron Technology, Inc. announced its high-density portfolio of block abstracted (BA) NAND flash memory for use in personal media players and other applications. Utilizing Micron’s industry-leading 34nm process technology, BA NAND is a single-package solution combining MLC NAND with a memory controller that eliminates the need for controllers/systems to undergo arduous re-designs in order to adopt successive generations of NAND.

Currently, most NAND flash memory host controllers are tasked with managing critical NAND functions such as block management and wear-leveling algorithms, and providing adequate error correction code (ECC) coverage to assure system reliability. However, because these features are becoming more advanced with every generation of NAND, designers are required to keep up with the latest innovations in order for their chipsets to properly manage NAND and assure reliable system operation.

Micron’s BA NAND enables designers to migrate from raw NAND to a managed solution with minimal changes. It employs its own embedded controller to remove the burden of NAND management from the host chipset, allowing system manufacturers to keep up with NAND technology innovations and improve their time to market.

The benefits of BA NAND include:

• Ease of Design: Because BA NAND relieves host controller/system designers from the burdens of NAND management, system integration is greatly simplified compared with today’s standard ‘raw’ NAND implementation.
• Compatibility: BA NAND is packaged in the industry-standard LGA-52 package and is compliant with the ONFI 1.0 specification.
• Cost-Effective Solution: Developers are now able to reduce R&D and silicon costs associated with re-designing their chipsets to accommodate new NAND technology changes.
• High Capacity: Currently sampling 8GB and 16GB, Micron’s BA NAND portfolio supports increasingly data-intensive storage requirements of embedded applications.

"Increasing demands from embedded applications to produce high-density memory solutions will continue to drive the evolution of NAND flash technologies," said Kevin Kilbuck, director of NAND market development for Micron. "Micron is a foremost innovator in NAND flash technology and as such, we recognize the complications manufacturers face when implementing new NAND technology into their systems. With the introduction of BA NAND, we’re opening the doors for our customers to take advantage of the latest and most innovative NAND flash technology into their systems, avoiding costly re-designs and ultimately, lowering time to market."

"Being able to optimize applications with the latest generation of NAND flash technology is crucial to many embedded systems," said Tim Lewis, director of marketing at ZiiLABS. "ZiiLABS is known for delivering best-in-class products and we see great potential for implementing this solution in platforms based on our ZMS media-rich SOC. We are pleased to be working closely with Micron to eliminate the complications of managing successive generations of NAND through their one-package solution."

Availability
Micron is currently sampling 8GB and 16GB BA NAND. The company plans to expand its density offering later in 2009.