Micron Initiates Flash Memory Production Using 34nm Process Technology.

[sharmila banu.m]

Micron Initiates Flash Memory Production Using 34nm Process Technology.

Micron Technology, one of the world's largest makers of flash memory, on Tuesday said that it had initiated production of flash memory using 34nm process technology. The new multi-level cell memory chips will allow Micron to create more affordable and faster solid-state drives thanks to both 34nm process technology as well as ONFI 2.1 interface.

The newly made 32Gb multi-level cell (MLC) NAND chip is 17% smaller than Micron's first-generation 32Gb chip, whereas the 16Gb MLC NAND chip, at just 84mm², provides high-capacity in an ultra tiny package. Micron is also now sampling 8- and 16Gb single-level cell (SLC) NAND chips using the 34nm process.

Both products feature an ONFI 2.1 synchronous interface that delivers transfer speeds of up to 200MB/s. In comparison, traditional SLC NAND is limited to 40MB/s. With this improved transfer speed, the interface delivers the fastest read and write throughput offered in today's NAND devices. With solid state drives (SSDs) trending toward a Serial ATA 6 Gb/second interface, the high-speed NAND interface enables manufacturers to design products that deliver twice the throughput of today's existing SATA 3Gb/s solutions.

"With our new 16- and 32Gb NAND chips in mass production, we are enabling customers to design cost-effective, high-capacity storage in their small-form factor products, using less space and fewer die. In addition, the high-speed interface is ideal in the industry's quest to continue to increase throughput performance for SSDs," said Brian Shirley, vice president of Micron's memory group.

Additionally, Lexar Media, a subsidiary of Micron and a leading provider of consumer memory products for digital devices, is taking advantage of Micron's new 34nm NAND products by delivering a wide range of flash memory cards and USB flash drives utilizing this technology.

SOURCE - GOOGLE
DATE - 1.7.09