Until now, high-speed, non-volatile memory choices have been limited, especially when the performance of a RAM is desired. Complementing the nvSRAM offerings from Cypress, the AGIGARAM system scales and extends nonvolatile solutions to much higher densities. The next best high-density alternative, battery-backed memories, can offer high speeds, but are subject to numerous problems, such as hazardous material issues, increased design complexity, long charge times, limited operating life, and a high total cost of ownership.
The AGIGARAM system solves these problems with a novel use of a battery free power sub-system, teamed with high-speed synchronous DRAM, NAND Flash, intelligent power management and a proprietary system controller. During normal operation the AGIGARAM functions exactly like a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM). When power is lost, however, it automatically saves the data to NAND Flash using the energy stored in the power subsystem. When power is restored, the data is transferred back into the SDRAM. This functionality can be used for power interruption/loss immunity, instant-on recovery, write caching and posting, data logging and journaling, and service and maintenance processing. More information on the AGIGARAM is available at www.AgigaTech.com.
“Today’s memory technologies all have a problem. DRAM is volatile, flash is slow, SRAM with batteries is unreliable, and alternative technologies are too costly to use in large densities,” said Jim Handy, Director of Objective Analysis. “Products like AgigA Tech’s that combine the best attributes of DRAM and NAND are likely to meet with broad acceptance.”
“AgigA Tech’s unique technology and expertise have yielded a superior solution for high-speed, high-density non-volatile RAM,” said Ron Sartore, CEO of AgigA Tech. “And our relationship with Cypress enables us to work with customers through a world-class sales and distribution network.”
AGIGARAM Products and Features
AgigA Tech announced two distinct AGIGARAM product families; BALI and CAPRI.
BALI Product Features
Targeted at general purposes, embedded, and industrial applications:
- 4-MB to 64-MB densities
- High-speed 100 MHz SDRAM
- 200 MB/sec peak transfers
- I2C command/control bus
- 3.3V VCC for 4 MB to 32 MB, 5.0V VCC for 64 MB
- Package: 200-pin SO-DIMM or Mezzanine card
- 0-70 degrees C operating range
- 3 year, 5 year and 10 year operating life options
- Integrated battery-free power pack
CAPRI Product Features
Targeted at higher end storage, industrial, networking, and communications applications, this product comes in sizes ranging from 256 MB to 2 GB and uses a much higher speed DDR-800 interface. It also integrates a battery-free power pack. Future versions will extend these sizes even further.
Availability
The AGIGARAM BALI product is available now in production. Evaluation kits are also available now. The higher-end DDR2 based CAPRI product will be sampling in July of this year, with production quantities available in September 2009. Complete documentation, part numbers, product briefs, and datasheets are available at the AgigA Tech website. A high-resolution photo of the AGIGARAM is available at www.cypress.com/go/PR/AGIGARAMphoto.
About AgigA Tech
Headquartered in Poway, California with a product development and test center in Chengdu, China, AgigA Tech was founded in February 2008 as a subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE: CY). AgigA Tech’s AGIGARAM products are the world’s first high-speed, high-density RAMs that do not need environmentally-unfriendly batteries. The company’s products are available worldwide through the Cypress sales force and its distributor partners. More information on the company is available at www.AgigaTech.com.
About Cypress
Cypress delivers high-performance, mixed-signal, programmable solutions that provide customers with rapid time-to-market and exceptional system value. Cypress offerings include the PSoC® programmable system-on-chip, USB controllers, general-purpose programmable clocks and memories. Cypress also offers wired and wireless connectivity technologies ranging from its CyFi™ Low-Power RF solution, to West Bridge® and EZ-USB® FX2LP controllers that enhance connectivity and performance in multimedia handsets. Cypress serves numerous markets including consumer, computation, data communications, automotive, and industrial. Cypress trades on the NYSE under the ticker symbol CY. Visit Cypress online at www.cypress.com.
AgigA Tech and AGIGARAM are trademarks of AgigA Tech, Inc. Cypress, the Cypress logo, PSoC, EZ-USB, and West Bridge are registered trademarks and CyFi is a trademark of Cypress Semiconductor Corp. All other trademarks are property of their owners.
Contact:
Cypress Public Relations
Samer Bahou, 408-544-1081
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