Intel TE28F800F3B95: A Comprehensive Technical Overview of the 8-Megabit Flash Memory Chip

The Intel TE28F800F3B95 represents a significant milestone in the evolution of non-volatile memory technology. As an 8-megabit (1-megabyte) flash memory chip fabricated using advanced CMOS technology, it was engineered for high-performance applications requiring reliable firmware storage and in-system updatability. This chip is a prominent member of Intel's renowned Advanced+ Boot Block family, a architecture designed to provide exceptional flexibility and security for embedded systems.

At its core, the device organizes its 8 Mb of memory as 524,288 words x 16 bits or 1,048,576 words x 8 bits (via a dedicated BYTE pin), offering designers crucial flexibility in interfacing with both 16-bit and 8-bit microprocessors. This symmetrical sector architecture is partitioned into multiple 64-kilobit blocks. A key feature of the Boot Block design is the inclusion of one or more independently lockable boot sectors, typically located at the top or bottom of the memory map. These protected sectors can store critical boot code, ensuring system initialization even if other sections of the memory are corrupted.

The TE28F800F3B95 operates on a single 3.3-volt power supply (VCC) for all read, program, and erase operations. This low-voltage operation made it an ideal choice for power-sensitive portable and handheld devices. The chip supports a standard microprocessor interface, eliminating the need for complex gluing logic. It offers a choice of asynchronous or page-mode read operations for access times as low as 90ns, significantly enhancing system throughput.

Programming and erasing are managed through a command-driven interface, a standard for JEDEC-compliant flash memories. This method involves writing specific sequences of commands into the chip's internal register to initiate operations like word programming or block erasure. The device integrates an intelligent erase and programming algorithm, automating the complex, time-dependent processes and providing status information to the host system via data polling and toggle bits. This feature simplifies software overhead and ensures high yields during the manufacturing process.

Furthermore, the chip incorporates several hardware and software data protection mechanisms. These include a program/erase lockout during power transitions and a command lockout feature that prevents accidental writes. For additional security, the device offers a hardware-based reset/power-down pin (RP) that, when driven low, places the device in a low-power standby mode and resets the internal state machine, aborting any ongoing program or erase operation.

In summary, the Intel TE28F800F3B95 is a versatile and robust solution that powered a generation of embedded systems, from networking equipment and set-top boxes to industrial controllers.

ICGOODFIND: The Intel TE28F800F3B95 is a classic 3.3V 8-megabit flash memory chip notable for its Advanced+ Boot Block architecture, offering flexible x8/x16 data bus width, fast access times, and robust command-driven program/erase operations with comprehensive data protection features for secure and reliable firmware storage.

Keywords:

1. Flash Memory

2. Boot Block

3. 3.3-Volt

4. Command Interface

5. Non-Volatile