AMD Extends NAND Technology to Code Storage With 64-Megabit Flash Memory; UltraNAND Technology Offers Higher Reliability

Business Wire, Dec 7, 1998

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 7, 1998--AMD (NYSE:AMD) announced today that it has developed an advanced NAND flash memory technology to address the mass storage market. This technology provides an added level of reliability which will allow, for the first time, the cost benefits of NAND to be realized for code storage. The first product in this family, the 64-megabit Am30LV0064, is being sampled now with production in Q1 1999.

"AMD's UltraNAND(tm) technology is a breakthrough in comparison to other NAND technologies," said Walid Maghribi, group vice president of AMD's memory group. "It is the most reliable, cost-effective flash memory technology for ultra high density applications. Based on AMD's extensive experience in flash memory design and process technology, UltraNAND devices are the first mass storage flash memories that offer error-free operation for greater than 100,000 program/erase cycles, without error correction, while maintaining a minimum of 10 years data retention.

"AMD continues to provide a broad selection of high-density flash products and architectures to specifically address our customers' needs," added Maghribi.

AMD's UltraNAND technology combines a smaller cell size with a simplified manufacturing process to offer the highest densities at a lower cost per bit than standard NOR or multi-level cell NOR flash. This technology will allow AMD to break the $1.00-per-megabyte price barrier in the year 2000.

UltraNAND Technology offers:

--   A footprint and instruction set that are 100 percent compatible
     with NAND flash device standards

--   Higher density devices to reduce board space for cost savings
          --   Roadmap to 1 gigabit flash memories and beyond

--   High-performance read, program and erase
          --   Read transfer rate of 20 megabytes per second
          --   Program transfer rate of 2.5 megabytes per second
          --   Erase data at 2 milliseconds per block (8K bytes)

--   Improved reliability to safely store both code and data
          --   10-year data retention
          --   100,000 program/erase cycles without error correction
          --   100 percent good blocks

--   Extended voltage range of 2.7-3.6 Volts with 5.0 volt tolerant
     I/O

--   A choice of highly reliable packages
          --   TSOP-II with copper leadframe
          --   FBGA Chip Scale Package that offers a 50 percent space
               savings

Applications

In addition to digital cameras and voice recorders, the Am30LV0064 addresses applications with high reliability requirements such as data recorders, telecom and networking systems, personal digital assistants, resident flash arrays and solid state disk drives. When combined with a controller, AMD's UltraNAND is also very well suited for PC-ATA and CompactFlash cards.

Pricing and Availability

AMD is now sampling the Am30LV0064. Prices are $18.85 in quantities of 10,000 and volume production is scheduled for Q1 1999.

About AMD

AMD is a global supplier of integrated circuits for the personal and networked computer and communications markets. AMD produces processors, flash memories, programmable logic devices, and products for communications and networking applications. Founded in 1969 and based in Sunnyvale, Calif., AMD had revenues of $2.4 billion in 1997.

AMD, the AMD logo and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices Inc. UltraNAND is a trademark of Advanced Micro Devices Inc.