Flash memory-interface

Abstract

Flash-type memory access and control is facilitated (e.g., as random-access memory). According to an example embodiment, an interface communicates with and controls a flash memory circuit over a peripheral interface bus. The interface uses a FIFO buffer coupled to receive data from and store data for the flash memory circuit and to provide access to the stored data. An interface controller communicates with the flash memory circuit via the peripheral interface bus to initialize the flash memory circuit and to access data thereto, in response to requests from a processor. In some applications, the flash memory circuit is initialized by sending commands to it. The interface may be placed into a read-only mode in which data in the flash memory is accessed as part of main (computer) processor memory, using the FIFO to buffer data from the flash.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to memory devices, and more particularly to memory devices having a flash-type interface. Background technique [0002] Flash memory is a non-volatile type of erasable and rewritable memory that has experienced great success due to its relatively inexpensive nature. In many cases, flash memory is erased and programmed in larger blocks. Implementations of flash memory have included external storage such as memory cards and flash drives, as well as internal storage such as solid-state storage for handheld or mobile devices. [0003] Flash memory devices operate in various ways. In many applications, command mode is used for operations such as erase and program, while memory mode is used for reading data from flash memory. In some applications, flash memory devices use a half-duplex command-driven Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) protocol for device setup / initialization, and then move to a half-duplex command-dr...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In many cases, flash memory devices are not compatible with certain types of other devices or processors

In addition, many forms of flash memory cannot be modified to the fast access required or desired in a particular application

[0004] These and other issues continue to challenge the utilization of serial flash memory

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