Common Flash Memory Interface
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. 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 many different operating systems, including FreeBSD and the Linux Kernel through it's Memory Technology Device (MTD) subsystem, which can automatically detect compatible flash chips using CFI identification data.
 | This article needs to be updated. (November 2020) |
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 many different operating systems, including FreeBSD[3] and the Linux Kernel through it's Memory Technology Device (MTD) subsystem, which can automatically detect compatible flash chips using CFI identification data[4].
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "JEDEC Standard: Common Flash Interface" (PDF). JEDEC. September 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 March 2009.
- ^ "m30l0r7000t0 datasheet - Internet Archive". Internet Archive. 29 April 2006.
- ^ "cfi(4)". FreeBSD Manual Pages.
- ^ "Memory Technology Device (MTD) — The Linux Kernel documentation". www.kernel.org. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
External links
[edit]JEDEC - free documents require registration
- JEDEC - Common Flash Interface (CFI) Specification, JESD68.01, September 2003.
- JEDEC - CFI ID Codes, JEP137B, May 2004
- JEDEC - Standard Manufacturers ID Code, JEP106AC, August 2010
Infineon/Cypress (formerly Spansion)
- Common Flash Interface Publication 100 (CFI Vendor & Device ID Code Assignments), 2001. (Original link)
- Spansion - App Note - CFI Spec, 2008. (Original link)
- Spansion - App Note - Using CFI to Read and Debug Systems, 2007. (Original link)
- Infineon/Cypress (formerly Spansion) - Quick Guide to Common Flash Interface, 2008, updated 2017.
AMD