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Apple developing Flash Memory Technology
Today, nine Apple patent applications concerning Flash memory became available. Instead of Apple being a passive buyer of NAND memory as is generally supposed this shows Apple actively researching Flash memory, memory controllers and circuit boards and their applications. Obviously, the development of Flash memory technology has implications beyond the iPod sphere and will only add fuel to the rumors of the incorporation of Flash memory into future MacBooks and, dare I say it, Apple Sub NoteBooks.
From the Patents:
The patents deal with squeezing more performance and capacity out of Flash memory, decreasing access times and decreasing power usage. The patent application numbers are listed at the bottom of this story.
Are faster startup times and Robson Caching finally on the way?.
Inventors: Michael Cornwell and Christopher Dudte
Assignee Name and Adress: APPLE INC.
Filed: March 30, 2007
About the Inventors:
Cornwell and Dudte seem to be a bit of a team and have their names on a number of patent applications together, going back to patents for Quantum Corporation. They seem to have been poached by Apple and are now working on storage and Flash-based memory projects. Michael Cornwell developed the SMART computer program that enables operating system users to foresee and avoid hard drive failures (that’s pretty cool!). Christopher Dudte is currently a Senior Storage Engineer at Apple (moved from the iPod division).
The Patent Applications
| 20070263469 | Two Levels of Voltage Regulation Supplied for Logic and Data Programming Voltage of a Memory Device |
| 20070263455 | Iterative Memory Cell Charging Based on Reference Cell Value |
| 20070263454 | Maintenance Operations for Multi-Level Data Storage Cells |
| 20070263442 | Off-Die Charge Pump that Supplies Multiple Flash Devices |
| 20070263441 | Analog Interface for a Flash Memory Die |
| 20070263440 | Multi-Chip Package for a Flash Memory |
| 20070263439 | Dynamic Cell Bit Resolution |
| 20070262890 | Use of 8-Bit or Higher A/D for NAND Cell Value |
[...] Apple file patents for flash memory development November 20th, 2007 | Category: iPhone Solid-state flash memory has had a much-raised profile since Apple first adopted the skip-free format for their iPod range, and ever since new announcements in NAND development have often been followed-up with refreshes of the PMP line that take advantage of increased capacity. Similarly, demand for Apple’s products has often seen NAND availability hit, and prices pushed up. It looks as though, given nine new patent applications from Cupertino, Apple are seeking to remove some of their dependence on third-party suppliers. [...]