Arasan Unveils the Industry's First Combined xSPI NOR and eMMC NAND PHY IP Solution

Introduction

Arasan Chip Systems, a leading provider in semiconductor intellectual property (IP) for mobile and automotive systems on chips (SoCs), has made a significant announcement in the world of memory technology. The company has officially launched the industry's very first xSPI NOR + eMMC NAND Combo PHY IP. This groundbreaking solution integrates two distinct memory protocols, allowing developers to effectively harness the strengths of both NOR and NAND flash memory within a single product.

Features of the New PHY IP

The xSPI + eMMC Combo PHY uniquely combines xSPI and eMMC 5.1 PHY functionalities into an integrated solution. This pioneering design is aimed at mission-critical applications, particularly in defense and aerospace industries, where the reliability of NOR memory is paramount, alongside the high-capacity advantages of NAND flash. Additionally, the combined PHY IP caters to life-critical applications, such as medical devices, ensuring robust and dependable memory storage.

Arasan's new solution is tailored for those in need of high-performance storage solutions that occupy minimal physical space. By utilizing a shared input/output architecture and an analog front-end design, this new PHY significantly reduces the pin count and silicon consumption, ultimately creating a cost-effective and optimized implementation for various SoC and microcontroller (MCU) platforms.

Market Impact

"This dual-mode IP enables customers to seamlessly support next-generation eMMC and xSPI devices with a single low-pin-count IP, leading to reduced system costs and faster time to market. With this release, Arasan continues to push the boundaries of innovation in storage interface IP," stated Ron Mabry, Vice President of Sales at Arasan.

The introduction of the xSPI + eMMC Combo PHY IP further cements Arasan's position as a leading provider of mobile storage IP solutions. The company offers a comprehensive suite of IPs for solid-state storage interfaces, including UFS, eMMC, xSPI, NAND Flash, and I2C controllers. With a proven track record, Arasan has sold over 200 licenses of its eMMC IP, highlighting its dominance in the xSPI market and the provision of both NOR and NAND flash solutions through integrated products.

Immediate Availability

The xSPI and eMMC Combo PHY IP is available for immediate licensing across major foundries, spanning from 28nm to 3nm processes. This makes the technology not only cutting-edge but also highly accessible to developers eager to implement advanced memory solutions in their products.

About Arasan

Founded in the mid-90s, Arasan Chip Systems is at the forefront of mobile technology evolution, delivering over a billion chips with its IP. The company’s high-quality, silicon-proven Total IP Solutions encompass digital IP, analog/mixed-signal PHY IP, verification IP, hardware development kits (HDKs), and software. Arasan's commitment to innovation and excellence has allowed it to support a diverse range of mobile devices, including smartphones, automobiles, drones, and IoT devices, all while providing standard-based IP solutions.

Conclusion

As the demand for efficient, high-performance memory solutions continues to grow, Arasan's introduction of the xSPI + eMMC Combo PHY IP is poised to significantly impact various sectors, enhancing capabilities in both consumer electronics and critical applications alike. This launch not only highlights Arasan's commitment to innovation in memory technology but also marks a new chapter in the evolution of semiconductor solutions crucial for modern technology.