ONFI updates spec with error correction

The ONFI rolled out the ONFI 2.3 specification, which includes an error correction code (ECC) Zero NAND (EZ-NAND) protocol that ''was designed to remove the burden of the host controller to keep pace with the fast changing ECC requirements of NAND technology,'' according to the group.

The group hopes to simplify the integration of NAND flash memory into CE applications and computing platforms. Use of NAND flash in these end-use applications has been hampered by the lack of sufficient standardization.

The group was formed in 2006 and now has more than 90 member companies. Founding companies include Hynix Semiconductor, Intel Corporation, Micron Technology, Inc., Phison Electronics Corporation, SanDisk, Sony Corporation, and Spansion.

In today's NAND implementations, the host controller must assume responsibility for all NAND management functions, including block management, wear leveling, and ECC. EZ-NAND is said to alleviate the issue of controller manufacturers having to implement and keep up with the rapidly changing NAND ECC requirements, said Kevin Kilbuck, chair of the ONFI marketing committee and director of strategic NAND marketing for Micron.

"NAND continues to scale at its own technology cadence while host controllers can be optimized for a variety of applications, free of ECC management issues. This can enable longer platform cycles for customers and potentially lower system cost," he said in a statement.

- Mark LaPedus
EE Times