14 DAY TRIAL // NOR memory allows true random access and direct code execution, making it similar to DRAM technology in a way, but it's ultimately still a solid-state storage tech, making it kin to NAND. That's why it's used in so many electronics. Spansion is one of the better known producers of NOR memory, and it has just announced the fastest NOR ever.
Well, technically it has invented a new interface, called HyperBus, which has already begun to catch on with makers of system-on-chip devices (SoCs).
So here it is, the Spansion HyperFlash NOR Memory device family, with read throughput of 333 MB/s, which is five times better than normal Quad SPI flash.
The HyperFlash NOR should do quite well in hand-held displays, digital cameras, automotive instrument clusters, infotainment / navigation systems, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), home automation appliances, factory automation and medical diagnostic equipment.
The interface has 12 pins, 8 of which being the address/data buss and the others divided between a differential clock (2 signals), one Chip Select and a Read Data Strobe for the controller.
That's a third of the normal number of pins on a Quad SPI interface, which makes the performance all the more impressive.
"The Spansion HyperBus interface is a powerful advancement on today's low pin count memory interfaces. The extra functionality and performance is specifically welcome in automotive applications where it allows high-speed, off chip access through a simple low pin count connection," said Ray Cornyn, vice president of product management for Freescale's Automotive Microcontrollers business.
"We are pleased to have worked with Spansion during the development of the new HyperBus standard and you'll see a number of Freescale Microcontrollers appearing in the near future taking advantage of this new interface."
Spansion's NOR memory has received accolades for reducing system costs and board space, but HyperBus will also enable faster boot time, direct execute-in-place from flash, and less code shadowing (cutting back on RAM requirements).