Flash Card moving to 3.3v Flash Chips
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Latest NEWS
| Date | From | |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/17 | Note | The 5v successor for the A29040C called A29040D has not appeared. See Future of 5v Flash Chips for more information |
| 24/02/17 | AMIC Technology | We are designing a successor for the A29040C called A29040D. This part will become available in Q2. In case you consider the 3 volt option we advise A29L040B which is also in design and will be released in Q3 this year. All these new designs are necessary to transfer to new wafer processes allowing long term availability. With best regards, Rob |
Introduction
It has been around seven years since the current Flash card was designed. At that time it was done in a rush, without much research, as the AMD 1M chip was being withdrawn and the footprint for that device needed to be changed. As the footprint was a lot smaller, there was enough space on the PCB to add a 512K Flash and 1M RAM. The cost of manufacturing a PCB is based on the size of the card, if the 512K/512 Flash/RAM configuration worked or not, the cost would have been the same (although the workload in the design would have been a lot less!).
By a sheer coincidence, OZ 4.x was being developed at the same time and it was found that the INTEL chip could not run OZ 4.x but it could be used for storing files. What was NOT realised at that time was that the AMD 1M Flash chip, although was a lot better, it could also fail, when running OZ. This was not discovered until quite recently.
AMIC announced that the 512K Flash chip used was no longer being manufactured. That triggered this section to be written.
The purpose of this section is to compare the original 5v Flash chips with the 3.3v versions and to ensure that the next version addresses any outstanding issues.
PCB Improvements
There are changes that have been requested.
- Real GOLD to be used on the card connector, instead of flash gold currently used.
- Pads on the chips to be made larger for easier hand soldering.
- 4 Layer board to be considered
Comparing different Flash chips 1M x 8
General Features
| Footprint | TSOP 48 | 40 pin TSOP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type / Function | MX29LV800C | S29AL008J | Am29F080B-85 |
| Datasheet Version | Dec. 22, 2011 | December 11, 2015 | April 1997 PRELIMINARY |
VCC Voltage Range | 2.7V ~ 3.6V | 2.7V ~ 3.6V | 5.0 Volt ± 5% |
Access Time | 55ns *1 /70ns | 55ns *1 /70ns | 85ns |
Bus Width | X8 / x16 | X8 / x16 | X8 |
Boot Block | Top/Bottom | Top/Bottom | |
Sector Architecture | 16KB+ 2*8KB+32KB | 16KB+ 2*8KB+32KB | |
OTP Security Region | - | 256Byte | |
CFI Compliant | Yes | Yes | |
Sector Protect/ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Temp Sector Protect/ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Erase Suspend/ | Yes | Yes | |
Hardware Reset# Pin | Yes | Yes | |
WP# Pin | - | Yes | |
Manufacture ID | C2h | 01h | |
| Device ID Top/Bottom | 22DAh/225Bh | 22DAh/225Bh | |
Notes: 1. Restricted Vcc Voltage Range, Vcc = 3.0V ~ 3.6V.
Boot sector protect WP# input
The MX29LV800C and S29AL008J flash have virtually identical footprints and pinouts.
The only significant difference being the S29AL008J devices have a hardware WP# input (pin
#14 of the 48-TSOP package and pin B3 of the 48-BGA package) to protect the boot sector. These same pins are NC on the MX29LV800C devices. This difference will be transparent if the WP# pin is left unconnected or pulled high.
Command Set and Firmware
Basic commands and write status checking methods are the same for the chips shown above.
The Read operation and Write command could be used directly without any modification. Table below shows the command set in Word mode.
Basic Commands (Word Mode)
| Command | Read | Reset | Program | Chip Erase | Sector Erase | Program/Erase SuspendResume | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Bus Cycle | Addr | Addr | XXX | 555h | 555h | 555h | XXX | XXX |
Data | Data | F0h | AAh | AAh | AAh | B0h | 30h | |
2nd Bus | Addr | 2AAh | 2AAh | 2AAh | ||||
| Data | 55h | 55h | 55h | |||||
| 3rd Bus Cycle | Addr | 555h | 555h | 555h | ||||
| Data | A0h | 80h | 80h | |||||
| 4th Bus Cycle | Addr | Addr | 555h | 555h | ||||
| Data | Data | AAh | AAh | |||||
| 5th Bus Cycle | Addr | 2AAh | 2AAh | |||||
| Data | 55h | 55h | ||||||
| 6th Bus Cycle | Addr | 555h | SA | |||||
| Data | 10h | 30h | ||||||
Note: SA: Sector Address
Electrical Characteristics
Read / Write Current
DC Characteristic | Condition | MX29LV800C | S29AL008J |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read Current | typ @ 5MHz | 7mA | 7mA |
max @ 5MHz | 12mA | 12mA | |
| Standby Current | typ | 0.2uA | 0.2uA |
| max | 5uA | 5uA | |
| Write Current | typ | 15mA | 20mA |
| max | 30mA | 30mA |
Input / Output Voltage
DC Characteristic | Condition | MX29LV800C | S29AL008J |
|---|---|---|---|
| Input Low Voltage | min | -0.5V | -0.5V |
max | 0.8V | 0.8V | |
| Input High Voltage | min | 0.7VCC | 0.7VCC |
| max | VCC+0.3V | VCC+0.3V | |
| Output Low Voltage | max | 0.45V | 0.45V |
| Output High Voltage | min | 0.85VCC | 0.85VCC |
| VHV Temporary Sector Unprotect Range | 11.5V ~ 12.5V | 8.5V ~ 12.5V | |
Erase and Programming Performance
AC Characteristic
| Symbol | Description | MX29LV800C | S29AL008J | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taa | Random Read Access Time | VCC =3.0-3.6V | 55ns | - |
VCC= 2.7-3.6V | 70ns | 70ns | ||
| Tce | Standby Current | VCC =3.0-3.6V | 55ns | - |
| VCC= 2.7-3.6V | 70ns | 70ns | ||
| Tcp | Chip Enable Pulse Width | VCC =2.7-3.6V | 35ns | 35ns |
Write Function Performance (Program and Erase)
| Write Function | MX29LV800C | S29AL008J |
|---|---|---|
| Byte Program Time | 9us | 6us |
| Accelerated Byte/Word Programming Time | 7us | - |
| Chip Program Time Byte Mode | 9s | 6.3s |
| Sector Erase time | 0.7s | 0.5s |
Chip Erase time | 8s | 10s |
Manufacturer and Device ID Command Definitions (Word Mode)
| Flash Vender | Manufacturer ID | Device ID | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX29LV800C | S29AL008J | MX29LV800C | S29AL008J | |||
| 1st Bus Cycle | Addr | 555h | 555h | 555h | 555h | |
Data | AAh | AAh | AAh | AAh | ||
2nd Bus | Addr | 2AAh | 2AAh | 2AAh | 2AAh | |
| Data | 55h | 55h | 55h | 55h | ||
| 3rd Bus Cycle | Addr | 555h | 555h | 555h | 555h | |
| Data | 90h | 90h | 90h | 90h | ||
| 4th Bus Cycle | Addr | X00h | X00h | X01h | X01h | |
| Data | C2h | 01h | 22DAh/225Bh | 22DAh/225Bh | ||
Note.
(1) Device ID can be read out after Manufacturer ID with proper address and does not need another command sequence.
(2) Use Reset command (F0h) to return to normal read mode.
Changing 5V to 3.3V
The following points to be considered
- The supply voltage to be changed from 5v to 3..3V with a voltage regulator.
- Signals levels to be converted with level converters.
Level Conversion
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | |||
| GTL2003PW,118 TSSOP-20 8bit Bi-Directional | GTL2003PW,118 TSSOP-20 8bit Bi-Directional | NOT | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A16 | A15 | A12 | A7 | A6 | A5 | A4 | A3 | A2 | A1 | A0 | D0 | D1 | D2 | SNSL | GND | GND |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | |||
| NOT REQUIRED | GTL2003PW,118 TSSOP-20 8bit Bi-Directional | GTL2003PW,118 TSSOP-20 8bit Bi-Directional | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A14 | VPP | VCC | VCC | /WE | A13 | A8 | A9 | A11 | /POE | /ROE | A10 | /CE | D7 | D6 | D3 | D4 | D5 | A17 | A18 | A19 |
| 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 |
TSOP pinouts
48 pin TSOP | 40 pin TSOP | 32 pin TSOP | A29040BV 32 pin TSOP | Am29F080B 40 pin TSOP | Am29F800B 48 pin TSOP | 48 pin TSOP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A15 | A16 | |||||
A14 | A19 | NC | BYTE# | |||
A13 | A18 | NC | VSS | |||
A12 | A17 | WE# | DQ15/A-1 | |||
A11 | A16 | OE# | DQ7 | |||
A10 | A15 | A11 | OE# | RY/BY# | DQ14 | |
A9 | A14 | A9 | A10 | DQ7 | DQ6 | |
A8 | A13 | A8 | CE# | DQ6 | DQ13 | |
NC | A12 | A13 | I/O7 | DQ5 | DQ5 | |
NC | CE# | A14 | I/O6 | DQ4 | DQ12 | |
WE# | VCC | A17 | I/O5 | VCC | DQ4 | |
RESET# | NC | WE# | I/O4 | VSS | VCC | |
NC | RESET# | VCC | I/O3 | VSS | DQ11 | |
NC | A11 | A18 | VSS | DQ3 | DQ3 | |
RY/BY# | A10 | A16 | I/O2 | DQ2 | DQ10 | |
A18 | A9 | A15 | I/O1 | DQ1 | DQ2 | |
A17 | A8 | A12 | I/O0 | DQ0 | DQ9 | |
A7 | A7 | A7 | A0 | A0 | DQ1 | |
A6 | A6 | A6 | A1 | A1 | DQ8 | |
A5 | A5 | A5 | A2 | A2 | DQ0 | |
A4 | A4 | A4 | A3 | A3 | OE# | |
A3 | VSS | |||||
A2 | CE# | |||||
A1 | A0 |
there is no standard using this package
DIL & PLCC Pinouts
| LH Side | RH Side | |
|---|---|---|
| A18 | VCC | |
| A16 | WE# | |
| A15 | A17 | |
| A12 | A14 | |
| A7 | A13 | |
| A6 | A8 | |
| A5 | A9 | |
| A4 | A11 | |
| A3 | OE# | |
| A2 | A10 | |
| A1 | CE# | |
| A0 | I/O7 | |
I/O0 | I/O6 | |
| I/O1 | I/O5 | |
| I/O2 | I/O4 | |
| VSS | I/O3 |
All manufactures use this standard.
1M Flash 3v3
Being updated - not complete.
The following devices were available from
| Device | Package | Manufacturer | Sectors | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | S29AL008J | 48-Pin TSOP | CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR | 64 Kbyte | |
| 48-Pin TSOP | CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR | 64 Kbyte | ||
| 48-Pin TSOP | CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR | 64 Kbyte | ||
| 48-Pin TSOP | CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR | 64 Kbyte |
Spansion have been taken over by Cypress Semiconductor
512K Flash 3v3
The following device is available 23/02/17
| Device | Package | Manufacturer | Sectors | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SST39SF040-70-4C-NHE | PLCC | MICROCHIP | 4 Kbyte sectors |
NOTE: The Z88 will not be able to program this chip due to the 4 Kbyte sectors. It may be programmed with an external programmer.
The following devices were available
| Device | Package | Manufacturer | Sectors | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | A29040C-55F | DIP 32 | AMIC | 64 Kbyte | |
 | A29040CL-55F | PLCC | AMIC | 64 Kbyte |
The following devices were available
| Device | Package | Manufacturer | Sectors | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A29040B-70F | DIP 32 | AMIC | 64 Kbyte sectors | |
| A29L040AL-70F | PLCC | AMIC | 64 Kbyte sectors | 3v3 |
| A29L400BUV-70F | 48 TSOP | AMIC | 64 Kbyte sectors | 3v3 |
| AM29F040B-55JF | PLCC | SPANSION | 64 Kbyte sectors | |
| AM29F040B-90JF | PLCC | SPANSION | 64 Kbyte sectors | |
| A29L040L-70F | PLCC | AMIC | 64 Kbyte sectors | |
| SST39SF040-70-4C-NHE | PLCC | MICROCHIP | Uniform 4KByte sectors | |
| SST39SF040-70-4I-NHE | PLCC | Uniform 4KByte sectors | ||
 | SST39SF040-70-4I-WHE | 32 TSOP | Uniform 4KByte sectors |
128K Flash 3v3
The following devices are available 27/07/2013
| Device | Package | Manufacturer | Sectors | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A29010L-70F | PLCC | AMIC | 64 Kbyte sectors | |
| A29010V-70F | 32 TSOP | AMIC | 64 Kbyte sectors | |
| AM29F010B-70JF | PLCC | SPANSION | 64 Kbyte sectors | |
| SST39SF010A-70-4C-NHE | PLCC | MICROCHIP | Uniform 4KByte sectors | |
| SST39SF010A-70-4C-WHE | 32 TSOP | MICROCHIP | Uniform 4KByte sectors | |
| SST39SF010A-70-4I-NHE | PLCC | MICROCHIP | Uniform 4KByte sectors | |
| SST39SF010A-70-4I-WHE | 32 TSOP | MICROCHIP | Uniform 4KByte sectors | |
| SST39SF010A-70-4C-PHE | DIP 32 | MICROCHIP | Uniform 4KByte sectors |
OR Gates
We might need an OR gate for /CE, POE to POE_S
| Device | Package | Manufacturer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| MC74VHC32DR2G | SOIC | ON SEMICONDUCTOR |
Conclusion
- There is no life left for the 1M Flash chips.
- The 512K size was the most cost effective and the 64 sector version was manufactured two companies.
- 128K is not a lot cheaper than the 512K and is uneconomic to use.