As many automotive applications exceeded the performance needs of traditional Quad (x4) I/O SPI solutions, Macronix introduced their first x8 I/O SPI solution in the form of the Dual Quad MX66L-85G series and now, taking the performance to the next level, Macronix is introducing this year the Octaflash MX25UM family, with SPI backwards compatibility.

The newly-released OctaFlash is the next-generation series of NOR Flash memory based on the SPI interface and traditional SPI command sets and expands the current I/O from x4 to x8. OctaFlash is backwards compatible with traditional x1 I/O SPI interfaces, allowing users to easily continue to use the industry standard SPI, thereby minimising design costs as compared with other products on the market which adopt a completely new interface.

Meeting the ever-increasing demand for vehicle telematics bandwidth, OctaFlash provides the fastest read access operation frequency in the industry, 200MHz, and supports both DTR (Double Transfer Rate) and STR (Single Transfer Rate) configurations. Compared to the current Quad (x4 I/O) SPI NOR, OctaFlash has twice the I/O and twice the operating frequency, increasing overall efficiency by four times with a maximum transfer rate of 400MB/s.

OctaFlash also has the most comprehensive DTR protocol support in the industry. Input and output cycles of all commands, addresses and information support DTR mode, overcoming the inconvenience of traditional SPI which only supports the STR framework for command input and needs to switch between different protocol modes. Similarly, prior SPIs only supported STR mode when performing program or erase operations and only supported DTR mode when reading, while today's OctaFlash supports DTR mode for all three operations, saving the time needed to switch between modes.

The current x1 I/O requires 40 clock cycles for complete SPI access including executing commands, addresses and information, while Quad I/O requires 22 clock cycles. In comparison, the next-generation OctaFlash in DTR operation mode needs only 13 clock cycles, significantly reducing the read latency of SPI products and increasing the efficiency of functions such as execute-in-place (XIP).

OctaFlash's specifications and reliability will help both Tier 1 suppliers and automakers alike meet the requirements of the ISO 26262 standard, a functional safety standard for automobile control systems. Sampling of OctaFlash has been release since September 2015 to meet the urgent demand by top-tier automakers looking to enhance the performance of existing and introduce new ISO 26262-compliant vehicles.

For packaging, OctaFlash uses the industry standard 24-ball BGA packaging format and continues to use Quad SPI and Dual-Quad SPI standard pin-out patterns, allowing users to easily transfer to the new SPI models, and also has a convenient hardware and PCB routing design. Furthermore, in order to meet the demand for high speed access, OctaFlash has a Data Strobe Pin (DQS), which allows for effective execution of high speed access.

The OctaFlash product line uses Macronix's advanced 55nm production technology, and offers both 1.8V and 3V options, covering 256MB, 512MB and 1GB densities. Macronix has begun shipping samples from the end of September.

Features:

－ Target Markets: Automotive ADAS, Cluster, Navigation, Infotainment, Telematics

－ 55nm floating-gate technology

－ 1.8V/ 3V Vcc

－ Densities：256Mb, 512Mb and 1Gb

－ Packages: 24-ball BGA

－ Backward compatible with x1 I/O SPI interface

－ Both STR & DTR (Double Transfer Rate) mode support

－ New DTR feature for Read, Program and Erase operation

－ Up to 200MHz clock frequency with both DTR/ STR operation

－ Fast read throughput of up to 400MB/s with DTR operation

－ Adjustable Dummy Cycles

－ Configuration Register

－ Individual Sector Protection