Spansion and Analog Devices Team Up to Provide Small Form Factor Processor and Flash Memory Solution

Analog Devices Inc., a global leader in high-performance semiconductors for signal-processing applications, is combining Spansion(TM) Known Good Die (KGD) Flash memory with its Blackfin(R) processor in a multi-chip module (MCM) for products supporting the automotive market. The new solution delivers the storage capacity and performance required to enable reliable, fast boot-up and data storage for feature-rich radio, driver assistance, telematics and navigation systems.

Spansion, a strategic supplier to 10 of the top 10 automotive electronics original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), sells a wide range of floating-gate and MirrorBit(R) products designed to meet the stringent requirements of the automotive industry, including satisfying the industry’s strict ISO/TS16949 and AEC Q100 certification standards and ensuring long-term product support.

“As a pure-play Flash memory provider, Spansion is free to collaborate with complementary silicon providers to provide system-level solutions to automotive electronics OEMs,” said Sylvia Summers, executive vice president of the Embedded Memory Division for Spansion. “Combining Spansion Flash Memory with the power and performance of Analog Devices’ Blackfin enables customers to bring added value and innovation to in-cabin automotive electronics systems, while reducing design cost and accelerating time-to-market.”

“Spansion and Analog Devices understand the unique needs of this market and are delivering a pre-certified, small form factor solution that can be rapidly deployed by automotive electronics OEMs,” said Jerry McGuire, General Manager, Convergent Platforms and Service Group, Analog Devices. “This solution delivers the added storage capacity that automotive OEMs need to enable the on-going innovation that consumers want in their car audio, telematics and navigation systems.”

Designed for use as a host or system controller, the new Blackfin ADSP-BF539F combines either 4 Mb or 8 Mb of Spansion Flash memory with the Blackfin ADSP-BF539 in a single package. Designed specifically for the automotive market, the ADSP-BF539F devices are 500 MHz processors and are supported by the INTEGRITY(R) Real-Time Operating System from Green Hills Software. Each can execute a full range of real-time signal processing, vehicle network stacks, diagnostics code, and software download functions with ease. The new Blackfin ADSP-BF539F is sampling now.

Flash Memory Needs in Automotive

Automobiles are becoming increasingly reliant on electronics systems to provide vehicle safety, comfort and enjoyment, and to lessen environmental impact. However, automotive applications are also traditionally among the most demanding of embedded applications, requiring extreme operating conditions, stringent industry certification compliance, leading-edge performance and features, and longevity of supply over the lifetime of the vehicle. As a long-term supplier to the automotive industry, Spansion works to ensure that its Flash memory products meet the unique needs of the automotive industry.

Spansion floating-gate products are designed to address the harsh conditions found in powertrain applications, and MirrorBit Flash memory delivers the reliability and density needed for in-cabin electronics systems including navigation, infotainment and telematics. A variety of product families offer optimized features and extended temperature tolerance (-40 degrees C to +145 degrees C), with solutions available in both packaged and Known Good Die (KGD) configurations.

Spansion is a leading Flash memory solutions provider, dedicated to enabling, storing and protecting digital content in the wireless, automotive, networking and consumer electronics markets. Spansion, previously a joint venture of AMD and Fujitsu, is the largest company in the world dedicated exclusively to developing, designing, and manufacturing Flash memory products and systems. For more information, visit www.spansion.com