ALFAT is a new IC that makes it easy to add megabytes of data storage capability to your new design. ALFAT has within it a fully-compiled, linked and programmed 32-bit LPC2114 processor containing a full FAT file system stack, so data can be stored on removable media for reading on any almost PC.

The FAT file system is widely used for data storage and is supported by most operating systems. ALFAT saves files and directories in standard FAT file system format so stored data can be accessed from any device that supports the FAT file system, such as a PC, most digital cameras, and MP3 players. Simply send your data to ALFAT using a serial port or SPI and ALFAT will take care of the rest! ALFAT can be easily used with any microcontroller (e.g., PIC, AVR, and Basic Stamp) and can save you a great deal of time and money when adding this great feature to your product.

With file access speeds of up to 70 kbps, ALFAT supports CompactFlash, MultiMedia Card, and Secure Digital memory cards. ALFAT firmware is field upgradeable through simple commands on the UART or SPI, or through a file on the connected media. It even supports hard disks using a standard IDE cable. FAT32, as well as the older FAT16 and FAT12 formats, are supported.     

Applications for ALFAT include: data loggers, picture viewers, MP3 players, digital cameras, file transfers between PCs, and automated machines.

ALFAT DEV is a $125 fully built and tested development board for the ALFAT chip to demonstrate the chip’s power. You can test ALFAT functions using the serial port (RS-232) on a PC. You can use the ready-made MMC/SD connector for memory cards. It’s extremely flexible, so you can control the ALFAT chip from your microcontroller or use the RS-232 port (serial) on your PC. ALFAT costs $29.95.

GHI Electronics
www.ghielectronics.com

Saelig Company (distributor)
www.saelig.com