News & Events
Xicor Introduces High Speed Serial EEPROMs Featuring New ID Lock™ Memory
--New 4K and 8K SPI EEPROMs provide industry leading 5MHz speed and lockable 16 byte memory block for pager and cell phone system ID storage
MILPITAS, Calif., March 31, 1997 - Xicor, Inc. (NASDAQ: XICO) today introduced two high speed Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) EEPROMs incorporating a new architectural feature called ID Lock Memory. Designed to benefit pager and cell phone systems, ID Lock offers a small 16 byte lockable memory block for storing system identification, serialization or calibration code. The 4K bit X25057 and 8K bit X25097 EEPROMs join the recently announced 5 Mhz 64k bit X25650 to form the industrys fastest SPI EEPROM family.
"Prior to ID Lock, the smallest lockable memory block offered by SPI EEPROM suppliers used one-quarter of the EEPROM array," said Bruce Mattern, Vice President, Sales and Marketing. "When our wireless product customers told us they needed a smaller lockable block for storing system ID, Xicor engineers responded with ID Lock."
ID Lock gives designers a total of eight segmented memory lock options providing increased flexibility in system design by allowing selected portions of the memory to be programmed for "Read only" or Read/Write operations. With ID Lock, designers can store ID code on either the first or last page of the memory array, saving the rest of the array for other functions. Other memory lock options include: any of the four quarters of the array, the lower half, or all of the memory array. An additional safeguard feature is the program protect pin which allows the whole memory to be locked from further programming.
"In addition to ID Lock, these new devices operate at double the speed of previous 4K and 8K SPI EEPROMs while offering microwatt low power operation. This allows designers to offer more system features and product flexibility to keep pace with the worldwide demand for small personalized electronic products," added Mr. Mattern.
The X25057 and X25097 are targeted for low cost, high performance battery powered systems where small space and extended battery life are essential. Packaging options include small SOIC, MSOP and TSSOP packages. These devices are designed to operate from a single battery power source in the range of 1.8 to 5.5 volts for both program and read operations. They provide very low power operation requiring less than 1 microamp of standby current.
US Pricing and Availability
Pricing for the new X25057 Serial EEPROM Memory in the 8-lead SOIC (X25057S8) is $0.79 and in the 8-lead MSOP (X25057M8) is $0.85 at 10,000 pieces. Pricing for the new X25097 Serial EEPROM Memory in the 8-lead SOIC (X25097S8) is $0.95 and in the 8-lead TSSOP (X25097V8) is $0.99 at 10,000 pieces. Samples of both devices are available now. Production quantity lead times start at 8 weeks ARO.
Xicor Corporate Information
Xicor develops and manufactures a broad line of in-the-system programmable semiconductor integrated circuits which retain information even when system power is lost or turned off. In-the-system programmability enables telecommunications, consumer, computer, industrial, automotive and military products to be adapted to changing software and operating environments and to be personalized by the user. Many of Xicor's products consume little power and operate well from a battery powered source, making them ideal for hand-held and portable applications.
Xicor products are used by manufacturers of electronic products worldwide, with approximately half of Xicor's sales coming from exports. Xicor products are supported by regional technical sales offices located in the USA, Europe, Japan and South Korea, and by independent sales representatives and electronic component distributors.
Xicor emphasizes the development of differentiated products incorporating its programmable technology which enables customers to rapidly bring to market products with improved features, efficiency and maintainability. To address the large market for undifferentiated EEPROMs, Xicor is also redesigning certain key popular products for cost reduction through smaller chip sizes. Xicor is a leading supplier of EEPROM and SerialFlash memory products and EEPOT® digitally controlled potentiometers.
Xicor's headquarters and principal manufacturing facilities are located in Milpitas, California. Xicor has received the Underwriters Laboratories Certification of Compliance with the ISO 9001 quality standard and the joint automotive QS 9000 quality standard.
Xicor's product, corporate and financial information is readily accessible on the World Wide Web at http://www.xicor.com.
