Click on the advert above to visit the company web site

Product category: Memory Devices and Modules
News Release from: M-Systems
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 15 May 2006

4bit cells set to
change NAND Flash landscape

Novel technology aims to revolutionise NAND Flash manufacturing economics, increasing fab profitability with no changes to manufacturing processes

M-Systems describes its x4 technology as a technological breakthrough designed to revolutionise NAND Flash manufacturing economics, increase fab profitability with no changes to manufacturing processes, and fuel new generations of multimedia-rich, consumer electronics devices. As a proprietary M-Systems' technology encompassing unparalleled Flash management and control algorithms, x4 technology is designed to enable use of 4bit/cell NAND Flash, previously considered to be a practical and physical impossibility.

x4 NAND components, likely to be mass produced during 2007, are to be comprised of the first-ever 4bit/cell NAND Flash media and an indispensable x4 technology controller.

Thanks to M-Systems' technological breakthrough, NAND Flash manufacturers are expected to realise over 30% cost savings in comparison with the most advanced 2bit/cell multilevel cell (MLC) NAND Flash wafers manufactured to date through equivalent lithography.

This is accomplished by doubling bit density in comparison with such MLC NAND Flash, and quadrupling it when compared with single-level cell (SLC) NAND Flash.

Furthermore, as M-Systems' x4 technology requires no changes to manufacturing processes, it stands to increase fab profitability.

'This is a phenomenal day for NAND Flash manufacturers and the consumer electronics market, as well as for M-Systems', said Dov Moran, President and CEO of M-Systems.

'x4 technology is M-Systems' highest peak in a 16-year trail of continuous innovation and systems-level expertise as well as the culmination of five years of dedicated research and development efforts'.

'Based on M-Systems' robust Flash management patent portfolio, x4 technology represents a quantum leap forward for the Flash industry, underlining our ongoing commitment to making personal storage smarter'.

'Judging by the undisputed success of 2bit/cell MLC NAND Flash technology and the significant cost savings x4 technology is designed to deliver to NAND Flash manufacturers, we believe x4 NAND components are set to further push Flash memory from prevalent to pervasive, ushering in new generations of affordable, multimedia-rich, personal storage for consumer electronics devices'.

With a decrease in price per gigabyte of more than 80% over the past three years, NAND Flash storage is the memory medium of choice for a plethora of devices in the consumer electronics space.

M-Systems' x4 NAND components are expected to target consumer electronics devices, such as digital audio (MP3) players, consumer solid state drives (SSDs), portable media players, digital video cameras, GPS devices, multimedia and music handsets, memory cards and USB Flash drives.

Driven by the widespread availability of personal storage devices, the demand for NAND Flash memory is expected to grow by leaps and bounds.

In recent research, Gartner forecast that the NAND Flash market would grow from $11.96 billion in 2005 to $24.70 billion in 2010.

Decreasing prices and surging demand have pushed manufacturers to look for new ways to maximise bit density per wafer, in the hope of driving fab profitability and return on investment.

M-Systems' x4 technology, through its ability to transparently quadruple the density of SLC NAND Flash wafers, has been developed to provide this sought-after advantage.

'The NAND Flash market is experiencing phenomenal growth fueled by the digital revolution'.

'Building new manufacturing fabs to satisfy tremendous demand requires huge investments, and such efforts may not be recognised in a fiercely competitive environment', said Joseph Unsworth, Principal Research Analyst, Gartner.

'Technology developments that leverage existing NAND manufacturing processes can be critical in helping manufacturers achieve significant cost savings without the burden of major capital expenditures, thereby enabling higher profitability'.

A proprietary technology, x4 is well rooted in M-Systems' vast Flash management expertise, such as its renowned TrueFFS technology, its system-solution approach and robust intellectual property portfolio.

Several x4 technology partnerships are currently being evaluated by M-Systems, and are likely to lead to mass production of x4 NAND components during 2007.

• M-Systems: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Electronicstalk email newsletter
• NEW
• Electronicstalk Home Page

Search the Pro-Talk network of sites

Put your news on Electronicstalk  |   Advertise  |   Get the free Electronicstalk newsletter
Electronicstalk Home  |   About Electronicstalk  |   Copyright © 2000-2007 Pro-Talk Ltd, UK