Spansion Begins Initial Sampling of Flash Memory Based on Second-Generation MirrorBit^TM Technology

Upgraded density-doubling technology will extend Spansion's price-performance lead

April 20, 2004 - Spansion announced that it is supplying an initial group of customers with hundreds of engineering samples based on second-generation, 110-nanometer MirrorBit^TM technology. These standalone and stacked multi-chip (MCP) samples enable AMD and Fujitsu customers to integrate this technology into designs targeted for production in the third quarter.

Optimized for 1.8-volt wireless designs, second-generation MirrorBit technology supports the industry's best price-performance and enables the broadest feature sets and highest densities of any NOR Flash technology. This technology enables feature-rich products with simultaneous read-write operation, a high-throughput burst-mode interface, Advanced Sector Protection security features and extremely low energy consumption.

To achieve price-performance leadership, MirrorBit technology leverages fundamental advantages over MLC floating-gate technology that improve yield, quality and fab throughput:

• Up to 30% better yield than MLC floating-gate technology for high-density 128- to 512-megabit die significantly improves the cost structure of standalone and stacked multi-chip products
  
• 40% fewer critical mask layers reduces sensitivity to defects during the manufacturing process and improves outgoing product quality
  
• 10% faster fab throughput thanks to a simple, streamlined manufacturing process
  

Spansion designed MirrorBit technology specifically to address customer needs for superior price-performance across the spectrum of Flash memory applications. As a result, manufacturers are replacing single- and multi-level cell floating-gate technology in cutting-edge mobile phones, PDAs, digital cameras, servers, television set-top boxes, printers, networking and telecom equipment, game systems and navigation devices.

Flash memory solutions based on second-generation MirrorBit technology will be available from AMD and Fujitsu.

About Spansion^TM Flash Memory Products
Spansion^TM Flash memory products encompass a broad spectrum of densities and features to support a wide range of markets. Spansion Flash memory customers represent leaders in the wireless, cellular, automotive, networking, telecommunications and consumer electronics markets. There are a variety of Spansion Flash memory products, such as devices based on the innovative MirrorBit^TM technology; the award-winning simultaneous read-write (SRW) product family; super low-voltage 1.8-volt Flash memory devices; and burst- and page-mode devices. Information about Spansion Flash memory solutions is available at http://www.spansion.com/overview.

Spansion was formed by the integration of AMD's and Fujitsu's Flash memory operations in 2003. It is the largest NOR Flash memory company in the world. Spansion Flash memory solutions are available worldwide from AMD and Fujitsu.