16Gb flash chip from Samsung in mass production

Stephen Withers
Monday, 30 April 2007 13:55

Your IT - Home IT

Samsung has announced that its 16Gb flash memory chips have gone into mass production, using 51nm process technology.

Apart from increasing storage density, the new part significantly improves read and write times compared with the existing 60nm technology. Samsung claims 30MB/sec read and 8MB/sec write, versus 17MB/sec and 4.4MB/sec for 60nm multi-level cell chips.

Despite the use of 4KB data page sizes in place of the traditional 2KB pages, the 16Gb flash memory chips work with existing system controllers with only minor firmware upgrades, Samsung officials said.

Importantly, Samsung's software and firmware supporting the new chips will provide wear levelling to ensure the entire device is used evenly, prolonging its useful live. Flash memory cells have a finite life, and conventional file systems tend to write to some locations more frequently than others (eg, to store directories). Wear levelling reduces the risk of premature failure.

The 16Gb chips make it possible to manufacture 16GB memory cards, Samsung officials said. Applications include music players, mobile phones and digital cameras, but manufacturers are already struggling to meet the demand for flash memory.

Apple has reportedly requested 10-15 percent more flash chips from Samsung and Hynix than previously agreed, presumably for use in the iPod and iPhone. There have been rumours that Apple will drop hard drives for flash storage in future iPods, and that the company may also introduce a flash-based ultralight Macintosh notebook.