AMD's 32-Bit Wide Memory in a Flash

If you knew that flash memory is a special type of EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) that can be erased and reprogrammed in blocks instead of one Byte at a time, go to the head of the class. If not, now you know. Flash memory is used in devices that include automotive navigation systems, set top boxes, handheld computing devices, modems, and by your computer to store the system BIOS. AMD's Am29PL320 flash memory device is a low-voltage, page-mode device that offers access times up to 20 nanoseconds in page mode and 60 nanoseconds in random mode. According to AMD, designers can use the Am29PL320 to transfer code and data to the system processor at 133 MB/second. The company says that in some applications, this capability could eliminate the need for other types of memory such as DRAM. The Am29PL320 costs $13.95 in 10,000 piece quantities.