14 DAY TRIAL // Intel launched the Serial Flash Memory (S33), meant to meet the memory requirements of range application, including digital TVs, DVDs, PCs, modems and printers. Intel's serial flash is based on an industry-standard package, pin-out and command set to simplify board design and save space.
Darin Billerbeck, general manager of Intel's Flash Products Group said that "applications requiring fast flash access times, such as DVDs and other consumer electronics devices, can benefit from one of the highest serial flash performance capabilities in the industry. Intel is committed to delivering a range of products to the NOR embedded market segment which analysts estimate will reach $2 billion to $3 billion this year."
Another statement was made by Alex Chen, the company director of Sales/Marketing, Optical Storage Business Unit: "Intel's Serial Flash Memory (S33) delivers the high performance required by Mediatek's leading-edge optical storage ICs for CD/DVD drives in PCs. Its industry standard pin-out and command set ensure ease of design-in and accelerated time-to-market for Mediatek." Also, in addition to industry-standard features for its serial flash, Intel delivers an enhanced feature set, including high 68MHz read performance capabilities to enable fast flash access times, security features such as One-Time Programmable bytes, and Program and Erase Fail status bits that enable more efficient system management.
Intel Serial Flash Memory is offered in 16Mb, 32Mb, and 64Mb densities, in an industry-standard 16-pin SOIC package. The 16Mb density part is also available in the smaller 8-pin SOIC package, according to the release. Also, Intel has some bold plans for the future. Namely, to integrate graphics into memory controllers.
That leads to higher-end GPU integrated into NorthBridge chips and CPUs. Here is a job description available from Intel: "Sr. GFX Verification Engineer - Working on Intel GFX core which will be integrated in Memory Controllers as well as the CPU. Development of pre-silicon validation methodology for ASICs. Determining and establishing focused/random validation methodologies and tools, test plan development, test writing/debug, tracking and resolution of design bugs and building of RTL models. Have an experience in 3D GFX Environment and methodology flow setup using Perforce or RCS and Pearl."