Semiconductor giant Advanced Micro Devices Inc has launched its new Am29SL800 microprocessor, which it claims is the first flash memory device that can read, program and erase that operates at 1.8 volts. Flash memory is commonly used in mobile communications products and set top boxes as an alternative to burning information on the ROM. AMD says its offering has the lowest energy consumption of any flash memory device on the market, something which should help manufacturers to build portable communication products with longer battery life. The company also says that the new high-density devices can store more system- level software, allowing additional functions to be built into end-user products. Software stored on the flash can be used to provide features such as multiple language support, over the air data transmission for email access, voice recording and support for multi-band networks to enable worldwide roaming. In addition, the chip boasts a power standby and read operation that puts the device into sleep mode during periods of inactivity to cut power use. The company says the new offering is based on the same process technology and architecture as its existing 2.7-volt-only flash devices. AMD says that flash memory products accounted for around 25% of its revenues for the last quarter. The Am29SL800 is available now in a 170 nanosecond read time version with 120 and 100 nanosecond incarnations going into volume production in the first quarter of 1998. The Am29SL800-170EI, industrial temperature range costs $8.70 in 10,000 piece quantities. The commercial temperature range, the Am29SL800-170EC is $8.35 in the same volumes, a 20% mark-up on the 2.7-volt products.
