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S29GL-N
S29GL-N_01_A0 May 1, 2006
Da ta
Sh e e t
each password check after the valid 64-bit password is entered for the PPB Lock Bit to be cleared to the
unfreezed state. This delay is intended to thwart any efforts to run a program that tries all possible
combinations in order to crack the password.
8.16
Password and Password Protection Mode Lock Bit
In order to select the Password Sector Protection method, the customer must first program the password.
The factory recommends that the password be somehow correlated to the unique Electronic Serial Number
(ESN) of the particular flash device. Each ESN is different for every flash device; therefore each password
should be different for every flash device. While programming in the password region, the customer may
perform Password Read operations. Once the desired password is programmed in, the customer must then
set the Password Protection Mode Lock Bit. This operation achieves two objectives:
1. It permanently sets the device to operate using the Password Protection Mode. It is not possible to
reverse this function.
2. It also disables all further commands to the password region. All program, and read operations are
ignored.
Both of these objectives are important, and if not carefully considered, may lead to unrecoverable errors. The
user must be sure that the Password Sector Protection method is desired when programming the Password
Protection Mode Lock Bit. More importantly, the user must be sure that the password is correct when the
Password Protection Mode Lock Bit is programmed. Due to the fact that read operations are disabled, there is
no means to read what the password is afterwards. If the password is lost after programming the Password
Protection Mode Lock Bit, there is no way to clear and unfreeze the PPB Lock Bit. The Password Protection
Mode Lock Bit, once programmed, prevents reading the 64-bit password on the DQ bus and further password
programming. The Password Protection Mode Lock Bit is not erasable. Once Password Protection Mode
Lock Bit is programmed, the Persistent Protection Mode Lock Bit is disabled from programming, guaranteeing
that no changes to the protection scheme are allowed.
8.17
64-bit Password
The 64-bit Password is located in its own memory space and is accessible through the use of the Password
Program and Password Read commands. The password function works in conjunction with the Password
Protection Mode Lock Bit, which when programmed, prevents the Password Read command from reading
the contents of the password on the pins of the device.
8.18
Persistent Protection Bit Lock (PPB Lock Bit)
A global volatile bit. The PPB Lock Bit is a volatile bit that reflects the state of the Password Protection Mode
Lock Bit after power-up reset. If the Password Protection Mode Lock Bit is also programmed after
programming the Password, the Password Unlock command must be issued to clear and unfreeze the PPB
Lock Bit after a hardware reset (RESET# asserted) or a power-up reset. Successful execution of the
Password Unlock command clears and unfreezes the PPB Lock Bit, allowing for sector PPB bits to be
modified. Without issuing the Password Unlock command, while asserting RESET#, taking the device
through a power-on reset, or issuing the PPB Lock Bit Set command sets the PPB Lock Bit to a the “freeze
state”.
If the Password Protection Mode Lock Bit is not programmed, the device defaults to Persistent Protection
Mode. In the Persistent Protection Mode, the PPB Lock Bit is cleared to the unfreeze state after power-up or
hardware reset. The PPB Lock Bit is set to the freeze state by issuing the PPB Lock Bit Set command. Once
set to the freeze state the only means for clearing the PPB Lock Bit to the “unfreeze state” is by issuing a
hardware or power-up reset. The Password Unlock command is ignored in Persistent Protection Mode.
Reading the PPB Lock Bit requires a 200ns access time.