
September 22, 2006 S29PL-J_00_A9
S29PL-J
59
D a t a
S h e e t
( A d v a n c e
I n f o r m a t i o n )
15.7
Sector Erase Command Sequence
Sector erase is a six bus cycle operation. The sector erase command sequence is initiated by writing two 
unlock cycles, followed by a set-up command. Two additional unlock cycles are written, and are then followed 
by the address of the sector to be erased, and the sector erase command. 
Table 15.1 on page 62
 shows the 
address and data requirements for the sector erase command sequence.
The device does 
not
 require the system to preprogram prior to erase. The Embedded Erase algorithm 
automatically programs and verifies the entire memory for an all zero data pattern prior to electrical erase. 
The system is not required to provide any controls or timings during these operations. 
After the command sequence is written, a sector erase time-out of 50 μs occurs. During the time-out period, 
additional sector addresses and sector erase commands may be written. Loading the sector erase buffer may 
be done in any sequence, and the number of sectors may be from one sector to all sectors. The time between 
these additional cycles must be less than 50 μs, otherwise erasure may begin. Any sector erase address and 
command following the exceeded time-out may or may not be accepted. It is recommended that processor 
interrupts be disabled during this time to ensure all commands are accepted. The interrupts can be 
re-enabled after the last Sector Erase command is written. 
If any command other than 30h, B0h, F0h is 
input during the time-out period, the normal operation will not be guaranteed. 
The system must rewrite 
the command sequence and any additional addresses and commands. 
Note that Secured Silicon Sector, 
autoselect, and CFI functions are unavailable when a [program/erase] operation is in progress.
The system can monitor DQ3 to determine if the sector erase timer has timed out (See the section on DQ3: 
Sector Erase Timer). The time-out begins from the rising edge of the final WE# pulse in the command 
sequence.
When the Embedded Erase algorithm is complete, the bank returns to reading array data and addresses are 
no longer latched. Note that while the Embedded Erase operation is in progress, the system can read data 
from the non-erasing bank. The system can determine the status of the erase operation by reading DQ7, 
DQ6, DQ2, or RY/BY# in the erasing bank. Refer to 
Write Operation Status
  on page 64
 for information on 
these status bits.
Once the sector erase operation has begun, only the Erase Suspend command is valid. All other commands 
are ignored. However, note that a 
hardware reset 
immediately
terminates the erase operation. If that occurs, 
the sector erase command sequence should be reinitiated once that bank has returned to reading array data, 
to ensure data integrity.
Figure 7.2  on page 15
 illustrates the algorithm for the erase operation. Refer to the tables in 
Erase/Program 
Operations
  on page 76
 for parameters, and 
Figure 20.8  on page 78
 for timing diagrams.
Figure 15.2  
Erase Operation
Notes
1. See 
Table 15.1 on page 62
 for erase command sequence.
2. See the section on DQ3 for information on the sector erase timer.
START
Write Erase 
Command Sequence
(Notes 1, 2)
Data Poll to Erasing 
Bank from System
Data = FFh
No
Yes
Erasure Completed
Embedded 
Erase
algorithm
in progress