High-Density, Low-Cost Solution Ideal for Wireless and Portable Communications Devices

Tokyo -- Strengthening its position as a leading supplier of static random access memory (SRAM) devices, Toshiba Corporation, today introduced the industry's highest density 32-megabit (Mb) Pseudo-SRAM.

Toshiba's 32Mb Pseudo SRAM device offers designers of wireless and portable communications devices a significantly higher density SRAM solution than currently available. The Pseudo-SRAM's standard SRAM interface and 1-transistor DRAM-like memory cell make it an easy design-in for cellular phone and PDA applications, while providing a much lower cost than a traditional SRAM cell would at this density.

Toshiba's new 32Mb Pseudo-SRAM, designated TC51W3216XB, offers a higher density than traditional low-power SRAM solutions at 8Mb and 16Mb. Until now, for applications requiring at least 4 megabytes (MB) of SRAM memory, designers had to design-in a multi-chip memory solution to meet those requirements. With the high density of Toshiba's Pseudo-SRAM a single-chip SRAM memory solution is possible. In addition, the 48 ball fine pitch ball grid array (FBGA) packaging further reduces the requirements for board space as compared to traditional SRAM or DRAM devices housed in thin-small-outline (TSOP) packaging.

In addition, to meet the high-density memory requirements in wireless and portable communications devices, designers have traditionally relied on DRAM solutions. Unlike standard DRAM solutions, Toshiba's 32Mb Pseudo-SRAM does not require a separate DRAM controller, thus enabling smaller packaging and saving valuable board space. Its SRAM-like interface and self-refresh feature make the Pseudo-SRAM easy to design-in. Glue-logic, which is typically needed for the refresh operations with standard DRAM is not required for Pseudo-SRAM.

Toshiba's 32Mb Pseudo SRAM operates using a single power supply voltage range of 2.50 volts (V) to 3.1V. Its standby current is 70 microamperes (μA) with a deep power down standby mode of 5μA. The device also operates in a page mode with a page read operation of four words. It is logic compatible with SRAM write enable input.

Technical Specifications

Pricing and Availability

Toshiba's 32Mb Pseudo-SRAM will be available in sample quantities in early third quarter 2001, priced at $26 each, with full production to follow within approximately two months of sampling. The company has plans to develop higher density Pseudo-SRAM solutions including 64Mb.