Understanding P30 and Numonyx Flash Changes
Eurotech Group companies use Intel StrataFlash parts for non-volatile storage on many of its products. This post describes the changes that occurred from 2006 to 2010 as Eurotech Inc migrated to Intel P30 StrataFlash parts, then to Numonyx-produced parts.
The Impact of Flash Type on Your Product
First, you should understand that there are two main impacts of the type of flash installed on your product: Technical and Logistical:
- Technical
As you transition from one generation of flash to the next, bootloaders and operating system images...
(a) ...may not recognize the part ID of newer flash parts, which means that they will not be able to write to them;
(b) ...may need to be rewritten to support new architectures (e.g. variable block sizes in P30 flash; bad blocks in NAND flash)
- Logistical
Corporate mergers and operational issues in 2010 had an impact on availability of Numonyx flash, creating worldwide shortages. Those long lead times continue to the present [Jan-2012].
Key Changes in Flash Generations
This section describes the multiple dimensions to the changes in flash functionality. These changes impact operation, compatibility, and failure modes.
- The First Block of P30B Flash is Sub-Partitioned
The "B" in P30B indicates that the first sector of flash is partitioned into four sub-blocks (P30T was used in a few products, and partitions the top block of flash). ARM-based Eurotech Inc products use the first block of flash to store boot code.
Consequences:
a. If you reprogram the boot code on a board with P30 flash using old bootloader or application software, only the first quarter of the boot code will get programmed, and the system will almost certainly become unusable ("bricked"). The boot sector of flash will have to be reloaded with a factory JTAG application that supports P30B flash.
b. If you do not reload the boot code or operating system during the life of the product, there is no impact.
- Chip ID Change
Software and boot code that look for specific chip IDs may not recognize new parts. The Windows CE Datalight FlashFX/Reliance flash disk driver is affected, and will not run on flash that it does not recognize.
- Behavior Change
3.1 Enforcement of Algorithm
When Numonyx started branding the P30 flash, the behavior changed. The Numonyx flash chips enforceed the write algorithm documented by Intel, where on Intel parts the algorithm had not been enforced. OEMs had incorrectly been allowed to write to block 0 to program blocks 1-3.
3.2 Timing Change
When Numonyx started branding the P30 flash, the timing changed. This issue only appeared to affect our Linux releases.
- Flash is Locked at Power-Up
Beginning with Intel "K3"-type flash, flash booted in the locked state. The boot code must unlock the flash to support reprogramming, and the operating system must know how to unlock flash after wakeup.
Consequences: You will not be able to run the flash file system nor will you be able to reload an operating system or boot code on the board. In short, you must upgrade the bootloader and OS to support P30 flash.
In 2005-2006, we updated boot code, operating system software, applications, and our JTAG programming software to detect and handle P30 flash, while still supporting previous generations of Intel StrataFlash.
Performance Improvement with Numonyx Flash
One improvement in Numonyx-produced flash is that it detects if a block is already erased and does not re-erase it. However, since even a blank flash disk has some formatting written to each block of flash, this does not improve application performance. This change primarily affects initial programming at the factory.
History
In addition to the changes in technical specifications, there have been corporate changes that have had an important impact on transition matters:
2004: Intel releases J3D flash
2005: Intel introduces K3 flash. Boot code and operating system software must be updated.
2005: Intel moves StrataFlash technology to P30 format.
2008: Intel and STMicro sell their flash memory technology divisions, creating Numonyx.
2009: Intel and Numonyx announce the shift to 65 nm technology and an end-of-life path for the remaining StrataFlash products. (see Eurotech Inc PCN09002 )
2010: Micron purchases Numonyx, retaining the product name and website. Lead times for Numonyx flash become quite long (upwards of 20 weeks). As a result, Intel extends last-time-buy dates for some of its StrataFlash products.
Markings
The following is a progression of flash parts used on Applied Data Systems, Arcom, and Eurotech products over the years, listed in chronological order:
- J3C: Intel StrataFlash, 150ns (e.g. "28F128J3C150")
- J3D: Intel StrataFlash, 75ns 0.13um (e.g. "28F128J3D75")
- J3DA: Numonyx StrataFlash (rebranding per Dec-2007 data sheet)
- K3C: Intel StrataFlash, locked blocks (e.g. "256K3C")
- P30B: 130 nm Intel P30 StrataFlash (e.g. "128P30B")
- P30BF: Numonyx-manufactured 130 nm P30 flash
- P30BF65: Numonyx 65 nm P30 flash (e.g. "128P30BF65")
Related Topics
Flash memory on Eurotech products: Topic 1000
Boot code for your product: See Topic Index
Edited by akidder 12-Jun-2012: Add Related Topics
Edited by akidder 22-Jun-2015: Add notes about J3D flash and J3C speed |
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Posted - 31 Jan 2012 : 20:45:23
