Microchip claims NOR flash is first to integrate MAC address options
Believed to be the industry’s first NOR flash memory devices with embedded media access control (MAC) addresses, the SST26VF Serial Quad I/O (SQI) 3V flash family reduces production cost and accelerates time to market, claims the company.
The flexible MAC address chips are pre-programmed with EUI-48 and EUI-64 addresses for cost-effective, plug-and-play storage for connected applications that use Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, IEEE 802.15.4 and FireWire.
The SST26VF family’s MAC address options are available at flash densities of 16, 32 and 64Mbit.
There is no minimum order limit, which will benefit embedded system designers who source, programme and serialise MAC addresses from the IEEE-Registration Authority (RA) for all connected products. Presently these are sold by the IEEE-RA in blocks ranging from 4,000 to 16 million. The SST26VF help to eliminate the need for companies to self-procure and manage these unique identifiers from the IEEE-RA.
Both the pre-programmed EUI-48 and EUI-64 node addresses consist of an organisational unique identifier (OUI) and an extension identifier (EI). While the OUI is purchased from the IEEE by individual companies, the EI is assigned and managed through each company by building a unique EI into every product to ensure a unique extended unique identifier (EUI) node address for every device used or shipped.
The SST26VF064BEUI, SST26VF032BEUI and SST26VF016BEUI devices have a six-wire, 4-bit I/O interface, allowing for low-power and high-performance operation in a low pin-count package, says Microchip.
The options of an eight-pin SOIC and eight-contact WSON package, mean that the devices occupy less board space. The rich SQI flash, with flexible write-protected functionality ensures code cannot be inadvertently over-written or erased.
Integrated with Microchip’s proprietary SuperFlash technology, the family offers high endurance, low operating currents and low power draw, making them suitable for industrial and consumer cloud-connected applications, such as smart hubs for homes, smart home appliances, building control equipment, factory automation, security and surveillance equipment.
Microchip offers pre-programming services for customer firmware.
