A true dual-port RAM with dual 72-bit wide data ports, the FLEx72 (CY18S72V) from Cypress Semiconductor claims the highest storage capacity and widest datapath of any off-the-shelf dual-port memory. On the chip is a total of 18 Mbits of storage organized as 256 kwords by 72 bits.
Also, the chip's pipelined, synchronous architecture delivers an aggregate bandwidth of 19.2 Gbits/s. Such high bandwidth makes it ideal for next-generation communications systems like wireless basestations, storage-area networks, layer 3 switching systems, and network test systems, as well as for video- and image-processing systems.
The FLEx72 permits simultaneous access to any location in the memory—either 72-bit data port can write and read data into and out of any memory location at the same time. In addition, the data ports can each operate in a separate, independent clock domain. This permits the buffering of large data packets between two processing elements running at different clock rates in a system. It also eliminates bus-contention issues by enabling designers to create a distributed bus architecture.
The bidirectional data ports can operate at 133 MHz, employing the standard single-data-rate interface. An on-chip burst counter reduces system overhead when data must be transferred in blocks into or out of the memory. Each port includes interrupt flags. For the chip, a global master reset line allows the contents to be rapidly cleared. A Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) test port eases in-system testing of the memory array and I/O ports.
Designed to operate from a 3.3-V supply, the FLEx72 consumes about 380 mA when active. Housed in a 484-contact fine-pitch ball-grid-array package, the dual-port memory is immediately available in sample quantities. It is priced at $130 each in quantities of 10,000 units.
Cypress Semiconductor Corp.www.cypress.com Rajiv Nema, (408) 943-2600