Common Flash Memory Interface Explained

The Common Flash Memory Interface (CFI) is an open standard jointly developed by AMD, Intel, Sharp and Fujitsu. It is implementable by all flash memory vendors, and has been approved by the non-volatile-memory subcommittee of JEDEC.[1] [2] The goal of the specification is the interchangeability of flash memory devices offered by different vendors. The developer is able to use one driver for different flash products by reading identifying information from the flash chip.

Each flash memory device contains the following information: memory size, byte and word configuration, block configuration, and voltage and timing data.

The specification provides several benefits. No or very little information about flash devices has to be stored in tables within system software. It is possible to use lower cost flash memory devices as they become available without rewriting system software. Adapting current software systems shall be done more easily and quickly than previously.

Support for CFI is implemented in FreeBSD.[3]

See also

External links

JEDEC - free documents require registration

Infineon/Cypress (formerly Spansion)

AMD

Notes and References

  1. Web site: JEDEC Standard: Common Flash Interface . https://web.archive.org/web/20090306191719/http://www.jedec.org/download/search/jesd68-01.pdf . 6 March 2009 . JEDEC. September 2003.
  2. Web site: m30l0r7000t0 datasheet - Internet Archive . Internet Archive.
  3. Web site: cfi(4). FreeBSD Manual Pages.