(September 2, 2010 - BUSINESS WIRE) -- Elpida Memory Inc. (TOKYO: 6665) and Spansion Inc. (NYSE: CODE) created a charge-trapping 1.8V, 4-gigabit single-level cell (SLC) NAND Flash memory. This NAND memory, based on Spansion's MirrorBit charge-trapping technology, is being produced at Elpida's Hiroshima factory.

Compared to floating-gate NAND Flash memory, charge-trapping NAND Flash memory is more scalable and has a simpler cell structure. It offers superior performance, faster read and faster programming speeds, according to proponents. 

Elpida plans to combine NAND flash memory with Mobile RAM to sell mobile consumer products. In addition, Spansion is developing NAND solutions for the embedded and select wireless markets and continues to produce and sell its NOR flash memory products to its customers in the automotive, consumer, communications, industrial and select wireless market segments.

"Elpida has obtained good chips from its first trial lot of charge trap NAND flash memory. Our preparations to manufacture our NAND flash memory as soon as possible are well underway," said Yukio Sakamoto, president and chief executive officer of Elpida. Elpida plans to start shipping samples of the 1.8 V 4-gigabit NAND flash memory during Q4 2010, will begin mass production during the first quarter of 2011, and is developing 2-gigabit and 1-gigabit density products in addition to its 4GB products. Spansion will ship samples in the first quarter of 2011 and will begin production in the second quarter of 2011. Both companies are also developing 3.0 V products and plan to develop 1-gigabit, 2GB and 4GB products. To satisfy customer demands, we are developing a full lineup of our NAND flash memory.

Elpida Memory, Inc. (TOKYO:6665) is a leading manufacturer of Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) integrated circuits. More information can be found at http://www.elpida.com.

Spansion's (NYSE:CODE) broad Flash memory product portfolio, smart innovation and industry leading service and support are enabling customers to achieve greater efficiency and success in their target markets. For more information, visit http://www.spansion.com/.