SanDisk Announces High Performance 4-Bits-Per-Cell (X4) Flash Memory Technology

SanDisk Corporation, provider of flash storage cards, announced the production of its high performance 4-bits-per-cell (X4) flash memory. It uses 43-nanometer (nm) process technology that enables 64-gigabit (Gb) memory in a single die.

 

SanDisk (News - Alert) has also produced an advanced X4 controller, which is necessary to manage the complexities and performance requirements of X4 memory. The X4 memory chip and the X4 controller chip in a multi-chip package (MCP) provide a complete, integrated and low-cost storage solution.

 

 

"64Gb X4 is the result of numerous key innovations, and demonstrates SanDisk's leadership in driving multi-bit flash memory with performance and cost suitable for storage-intensive applications such as music, movies, photos, GPS, games and more," added Quader.

 

The new 43nm 64Gb X4 chip, reportedly, is the highest capacity and highest density flash memory die in the world to enter production this year, and has a 7.8MB/sec memory write performance that is comparable with current multi-level cell technologies. SanDisk's patented All-Bit-Line (ABL) architecture and the three-step programming (TSP) and sequential sense concept (SSC) are the key contributors to X4’s performance.

Menahem Lasser, vice president, future technologies and innovation, SanDisk, says "The inherent challenges in producing 4-bits-per-cell technology with good performance and low costs require advanced system level innovations in multi-level storage."