M-Systems and Toshiba Unveil Mobile DiskOnChip

M-Systems and Toshiba have announced the upcoming availability of the Mobile DiskOnChip G3 flash disk - the world's first internal memory product based on M-Systems' recently announced x2 technology and multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash silicon.

MLC NAND stores 2 bits of data per cell rather than the 1 bit per cell
capacity found in single-level NAND flash, in essence doubling the storage
capacity of the silicon. M-Systems' x2 technology, a combination of
patented reliability and performance-enhancing algorithms, enables Toshiba's
MLC NAND flash to be utilised within the Mobile DiskOnChip G3 product
family.

"Toshiba invented flash memory and continues to be an innovator in flash
technology. We are pleased to join M-Systems to create an integrated flash
memory system solution optimised for mobile applications. Mobile DiskOnChip
G3 provides the density, performance and low power requirements to meet the
increasing memory needs of mobile devices," said Stephen Marlow, executive
vice president, of Toshiba America Electronics Components, Inc. "Mobile
DiskOnChip G3 demonstrates the power of our strategic relationship with
M-Systems, the leading flash disk technology pioneer."

Breaking the flash disk world record for capacity and size, Mobile
DiskOnChip G3 features a single silicon die containing 512 megabits (64
megabytes) of Toshiba's 0.13 micron MLC NAND flash, an ultra thin controller
and an execute in place (XIP) boot block. Contained within a 7x10mm ball
grid array (BGA) package, no other flash disk comes close to offering a
comparable achievement within Mobile DiskOnChip G3's small size.

"Storage architecture within mobile handsets, PDAs and other devices is
changing to support exploding memory needs without driving costs through the
roof," said Jim Handy, director of non-volatile memory services, Semico
Research. "Today's mobile phones and PDAs need a large block of local
storage to store full-scale operating systems and multimedia applications
such as pictures and video. Advanced devices now call for as much as 64
megabytes of non-volatile memory, a need which is being addressed by the
roll-out of storage devices such as Mobile DiskOnChip G3."

Improving the Memory Architecture of PDAs and Mobile Handsets
Mobile DiskOnChip G3 contains an internal controller and an XIP boot block,
offering a complete non-volatile memory (NVM) solution.
With its multi-plane operations, direct memory access (DMA) support and
MultiBurst operation, it delivers a burst read speed of up to 80 megabytes
per second, crucial for features such as fast system boot and large file
transfers (video and audio), common in multimedia messaging service (MMS).
By utilising 0.13 micron MLC NAND to replace expensive legacy NOR flash,
Mobile DiskOnChip G3 represents the most cost effective solution available
today for mobile designers.

Another example of the optimisation of Mobile DiskOnChip G3 for mobile
applications is its deep power-down mode. In order to conserve battery
life, when not in use, Mobile DiskOnChip G3 consumes as little as 10 micro
amps.

Furthermore, Mobile DiskOnChip G3 offers unrivaled data integrity with
robust Error Detection Code/Error Correction Code (EDC/ECC) specifically
tailored for MLC flash technology. Additionally, flash endurance is
maximised with TrueFFS®, M-Systems' proven flash file system.

"Mobile DiskOnChip G3 is the first memory device to enable the benefits of
MLC NAND technology for memory-hungry mobile applications. It offers more
memory without increasing the size of the silicon die," said Chuck Schouw,
president of M-Systems Inc. "Working closely with Toshiba, we have applied
our proven flash disk expertise, gained through years of experience, to this
new product optimised for the mobile market. Mobile DiskOnChip G3
represents the pinnacle of non-volatile memory technology designed to meet
the specific needs of this burgeoning market."

Availability
Engineering samples of the 512Mbit Mobile DiskOnChip G3 flash disk will be
available in the second quarter of 2003, with mass production slated for
third quarter. Other capacities of the Mobile DiskOnChip G3 family ranging
between 256Mbit to up to 1 gigabit (128 megabytes) are planned, allowing
M-Systems and Toshiba to jointly market a complete family of Mobile
DiskOnChip G3 products. For more information, please contact your M-Systems
or Toshiba representative.

This Press Release Sponsored by AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES

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