Hitachi's Big Flash with a Small Footprint

It's just a flash-fest lately, isn't it? Capacities get higher, devices get smaller, and the next thing you know, you've got 32 MB of memory on your cell phone. Hitachi Semiconductor just added another flash contender with its new 128-Mbit (16 MB) and 256-Mbit (32 MB) AND-type flash memory devices that are housed in a tiny 11.26-millimeter (mm) x 9.2 mm x 1. mm Chip Scale Package (CSP) package. The small flash devices use a mounting area 43 percent of the size of an equivalent device in the Thin Small Outline Package (TSOP). Hitachi thinks the little chips could reduce the dimensions, weight, and cost of third-generation (3G) mobile phones as well as PDAs, MP3 players, digital cameras, and just about any other personal electronic product. The 256-Mbit flash memory is manufactured with the 0.18-micron process and operates with a power supply voltage range of 2.7 volts to 3.6 volts. The 128-Mbit device, built with a 0.25-um process, operates from 3.0 volts to 3.6 volts. Both parts come in the 72-pin CSP package with the same pin assignment for design flexibility. The 128-Mbit HN29W12811BP-60 will be priced at $8 in quantities of 10,000 and the 256-Mbit HN29V25611ABP-50 will be priced at $16 in the same quantities. Both are expected to be available in Q3 of this year. Geez, 32 MB used to be a lot for a PC and it certainly didn't cost $16. Feeling old, must stop ranting.