Arasan CompactFlash 4.1 Controller Family

Arasan Chip Systems, Inc., provider of IP cores, announced the availability of CompactFlash/CF+ IP Host and Device cores that are compliant with CF+ and CompactFlash Specification Revision 4.1. With the simultaneous release of Host and Device controllers, Arasan enables system designers and card manufacturers to build sturdy, reliable, memory and I/O CompactFlash systems.

Designers of professional quality Digital SLR (DSLR) cameras and professional photographers have relied on CompactFlash memory cards to store their high resolution images. CompactFlash cards appeal to these discerning users owing to its handy physical size and durability in being able to withstand multiple insertion and removals in end equipment. With the introduction of multi-megapixel cameras and HD video capture, cameras benefit from newer CompactFlash cards compliant with the 4.1 specification. These cards can transfer data up to 133MBps, dramatically reducing the time required to store an image while also speeding up continuous photo shoot mode. Photographers can maintain resolution of images in RAW format and yet be able to transfer images quickly from their CompactFlash 4.1 cards.

Arasan’s CompactFlash IP core supports standard transfer modes as well as the advanced timing modes for memory and I/O access. The IP supports multiple DMA modes including UltraDMA that scales to a maximum transfer speed of 133MBps. Embedded systems can take advantage of the higher memory bandwidth supported by this controller to design non-volatile storage solutions based on CompactFlash.

"The CompactFlash 4.1 standard provides a convenient, low-latency access to non-volatile memory for a variety of consumer electronics and embedded systems," said Prakash Kamath, Vice-President of Engineering at Arasan. "Arasan’s CompactFlash IP family of controllers provides the necessary performance boost to handle higher resolution media in native format."

"In spite of the proliferation of miniature and micro sized memory cards, CompactFlash continues to be the memory standard of choice in professional photography equipment and embedded systems," said Somnath Viswanath, Product Marketing Manager at Arasan. "By integrating Arasan’s CompactFlash IP cores, designers can support new, demanding applications over the familiar ATA interface."

The CompactFlash/CF+ IP core has the flexibility to implement either a storage or I/O controller. The IP implements all standard control and status registers and handles the CompactFlash/CF+ protocol within its controller thereby lowering CPU overhead.

Arasan provides a ‘Total IP Solution’ for its CompactFlash/CF+ IP core consisting of RTL source code, synthesis scripts, test environment and documentation, all backed by Arasan’s customer support.