Storage: Standard for Flash Packages Continues to Gain Momentum

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, June 15, 1998

Micron Technology, Inc. has joined AMD in supporting a proposed footprint standard for high-density flash memory in fine-pitch ball grid array (FBGA) chip-scale packages, the two companies announced Monday.

The standard, currently proposed by AMD to the JEDEC (Joint Electron Devices Engineering Council) Committee, applies to a FBGA package that will hold flash memories ranging from 4 to 64 megabits in density. The package has a 6x8 ball grid array with a ball pitch of 0.8 millimeters.

"We are pleased to have a company with the stature of Micron join us and Fujitsu in supporting this standard," said Walid Maghribi, group vice president of AMD's memory group. "With the addition of Micron's support for this proposed standard, there are now four major Flash memory suppliers supporting this standard. System designers using chip-scale packaged flash memory are that much closer to being able to have a single board-level footprint for all suppliers."

"Micron is happy to support a package standard, suchas the FBGA, that allows our flash customers flexibility in supply, density and the ability to take advantage of production efficiency improvements," said Mike Seibert, director of marketing, for the Micron Flash Memory Group. "FBGA packaging leverages the current production infrastructure to provide a cost-effective, small form-factor chip-size package to the market-place."

Well suited for low-power, small form-factor applications such as cellular telephones and hand-held battery equipment, this high-density packaging standard is expected to be adopted by other flash memory manufacturers. About Micron Technology, Inc.

Micron Technology, Inc. and its subsidiaries manufacture and market DRAMs, very fast SRAMs, Flash, other semiconductor components, memory modules, personal computer systems, and remote intelligent communications (RIC) products. The company sells memory upgrades directly to PC users through its direct sales division, Crucial Technology. The company sells PC systems for consumer, business, government, and educational use direct through its subsidiary Micron Electronics, Inc. FMI: www.micron.com.

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, California, AMD had revenues of $2.4 billion in 1997.