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TDK Launches GBDriver RA8 Series of U.DMA6-Compatible NAND Flash Memory Controller LSI

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Incorporates Static Wear Leveling Function Supports 2KB/Page and 4KB/Page SLC and MLC Flash Memory

GBDriver RA8 Series of U.DMA6-Compatible NAND Flash Memory Controller LSI
GBDriver RA8 Series of U.DMA6-Compatible NAND Flash Memory Controller LSI

August 5, 2008

TDK Corporation announced today development of the GBDriver RA8 series of NAND Flash memory controller LSI. Sales are scheduled to begin in September.

The GBDriver RA8 series are U.DMA6 high-speed NAND controller ICs that are compatible with 2 KByte/page and 4 KByte/page NAND Flash memories. The controllers support SLC (single-level cell) and MLC (multi-level cell) NAND Flash memories and make possible high-speed Flash storage ranging from 128 MByte to 16 GByte in the case of SLC and 256 MByte to 32 GByte in the case of MLC. As a result, these controllers are ideal for a wide range of applications. In addition, the controllers are available in a 128-pin TQPF package and a 121-pin VFBGA package.

The controllers perform high-speed control and incorporate 15-bit ECC (error correction code) as well as the auto-recovery function common to the GBDriver series and a collateral error prevention function in case of a power interruption. The design serves to enhance the data reliability of NAND Flash memories.

In addition, the GBDriver RA8 series incorporates a new and original static wear leveling algorithm that averages the number of erased times of each memory block. This maximizes the rewritable life span of NAND Flash memories. Flash management functions include an updated SMART function that determines the number of erased times of each memory block, facilitating quantitative evaluation, management, and operation of NAND storage systems.

TDK will market industrial compact Flash cards and solid state drives (SDDs) equipped with new GBDriver RA8 controllers starting in October 2008.

Main Applications
The main applications are consumer and industrial embedded system devices and IT equipment. Some examples are digital cameras, camcorders, digital televisions, set-top boxes (STBs), multi-function printers, car navigation systems, portable navigation devices (PNDs), car stereos, electronic toll collection (ETC) terminals, point-of-sales (POS) terminals, financial terminals and ATMs, medical devices, measuring instruments, machine tools, factory automation panel computers, and touch panel systems.
Main Features
  1. Host Interface
    The GBDriver RA8 is compatible with PIO0-6, Multiword DMA0-4, and Ultra DMA0-6 and supports read access speeds up to 50 MB/sec and write access speeds up to 35 MB/s (15 MB/s in the case of MLC).
    Note: Actual speeds depend on the installed Flash memory.
  2. Supported Flash Memory
    The GBDriver RA8 controllers support the latest 2 KByte/page and 4 KByte/page structure NAND Flash memories of all venders including new products. Since they are compatible with SLC and MLC NAND Flash memories, the controllers make possible storage ranging from 128 MByte to 16 GByte in the case of SLC and 256 MByte to 32 GByte in the case of MLC.
  3. Static Wear Leveling Function for All Blocks
    A new static wear leveling algorithm averages the number of erased times data of each memory block. The scope of static wear leveling can be set to any range. Areas outside the scope of static wear leveling are subject to dynamic wear leveling.
  4. Improved Power Interruption Tolerance
    An original algorithm completely prevents collateral errors such as corruption of data other than the data being written if power is interrupted when writing data.
  5. Error Correction and Recovery
    A Flash identification function enables selection of 8 bit/sector ECC or 15 bit/sector ECC to provide error correction capabilities with room to accommodate future developments. An auto-recovery function is also included to correct bit errors automatically when reading data repeatedly (read-disturbance errors).
  6. Other Functions
    (a) Total Cluster Number-Setting Function
    The number of logical blocks allocated to a data area can be adjusted up or down. For example, the number of times data can be written can be increased by reducing the number of logical blocks in the data area. Conversely, in the case of applications that do not require an extended life span, the memory capacity can be maximized by increasing the number of logical blocks in the data area.
    (b) Protection Function
    Incorporation of an ATA-standard protection function allows customers to set and remove a password to protect important data.
    (c) Smart Command Support
    The number of erased times of data all memory blocks can be confirmed by using Smart Command, which allows for easy determination of the Flash memory status and facilitates appropriate management.
  7. Solution Support
    TDK has independently developed and marketed the GBDriver series of NAND Flash memory controllers since 2000 and provides technical support to customers in Japan and overseas backed up by its advanced technologies including dispatch of field application engineers and implementation of reliability monitoring functions, for which there is strong demand in the embedded system market.
Production and Sales Plan
  • Production location : Japan
  • Production capacity : 100,000 units/month (planned)
  • Start of sample production : September 2008

For further information, contact the Corporate Communications Dept.
Tel.: 81-3-6778-1055
E-mail: TDK.PR@tdk.com