Tokyo, Japan, Feb 4, 2008 - (JCN Newswire) - TDK Corporation announced today the development of the GBDriver RS1 Series NAND Flash memory controller LSI circuit. Sales will begin in March.

The new GBDriver RS1 is compatible with 1.5 Gbps SATA I, and when functioning as a NAND Flash memory controller IC can control the latest 4 Kbyte/page SLC (single-level cell) and MLC (multi-level cell) NAND Flash memories.

NAND Flash memory capacities continue to increase while prices fall, and the use of Flash memory as an alternative for hard disc drives (HDDs) is expanding rapidly. TDK developed and markets the GBDriver RA series of parallel ATA (PATA) compatible NAND Flash memory controller ICs, but HDD data transfer formats are currently shifting from PATA to serial ATA (SATA).

Previously, when NAND Flash memory was controlled using the SATA format, it was necessary to have a Flash memory controller IC and an SATA converter IC, but the new GBDriver RS1 performs both functions with a single chip. The controller is supplied in a 64-pin TQFP package (12 mm x 12 mm).

GBDriver RS1 employs the NAND Flash memory control engine of the latest GBDriver RA7, which has an established track record in industrial applications and offers a high level of reliability.

TDK will begin releasing SATA-compatible silicon discs equipped with the new GBDriver RS1 starting in May 2008.


Applications

The main applications are storage for operating systems, file systems, and user data on consumer and industrial embedded system devices and IT equipment. Use in the silicon disc systems of hybrid PCs and other devices is also anticipated.


Main Features

Host Interface -
The GBDriver RS1 is compatible with 1.5 Gbps SATA I and supports data transmission speeds up to 150 MB/s.

Supported Flash Memory -
The GBDriver RS1 controller supports the latest 4 Kbyte/page structure NAND Flash memories of all venders including new products. Since it is compatible with single-level and multi-level NAND Flash memory, the controller is suitable for a wide range of uses from storing embedded OSs to consumer applications such as music and streaming video storage.

More Reliable Control-
The GBDriver RS1 controller secures expanded spare space for future bad blocks, has improved block control structures within the controller, and is equipped with an address control mechanism structure that can be used even when a large number of inherent bad blocks occur in the memory in a short period.

Improved Power Interruption Tolerance-
The GBDriver RS1 controller completely prevents collateral errors that result in corruption of data other than the data being written if power is interrupted when writing data.

Error Correction and Recovery-
The GBDriver RS1 is equipped with 8 bit/sector ECC. ECC functions have been improved to ensure adequate reliability with regard to the bit error seen when multi-level NAND Flash memory is used. An auto-recovery function has also been added to correct bit errors automatically when reading data repeatedly (read-disturbance errors).

Other Functions-
- Total cluster number-setting function (clipping function)
The number of times that data can be written to a flash memory chip can be increased by reducing the number of physical allocation blocks in the data area.
- Protection Function
Incorporation of an ATA-standard protection function allows customers to set and remove a password to protect important data.
- Smart Command Support
Usage status and bad block status are easily managed on Flash memory chips by using Smart Command.

Customer 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 -
Sample price : 2,000 yen/unit
Production location : Philippines
Production capacity : 100,000 units/month (planned)
Start of production : March 2008