Introduction: X-NAND is characterized by combining the performance advantages of SLC NAND with the storage density of multiple bits in a single package.
Looking back at the history of SSD development over the past decade, it's clear that solid-state drives (SSDs) have become increasingly faster and more cost-effective. About ten years ago, a 32GB/64GB SSD might have cost as much as $500/$1100. Now, a 1TB model can be bought for less than $150. However, with the advent of a new technology called X-NAND, this trend is expected to continue.
In order to cram more data bits into each storage cell, flash memory has gradually evolved from 1-bit SLC to 2, 3, and 4-bit MLC/TLC/QLC.
In addition, a 5-bit PLC NAND is under development, but we will not see it before 2025.
Most netizens probably know that SLC NAND flash memory has the best speed and durability, but its cost is also very high.
On the other hand, although TLC and QLC NAND are relatively slow, they are still well-suited for manufacturing more cost-effective large-capacity SSDs thanks to the support of DRAM and SLC caching strategies.
Interestingly, Neo Semiconductor, a flash memory design and semiconductor startup founded by Andy Hsu in 2012, claims to be able to achieve higher performance and cost-effectiveness with its new X-NAND flash memory technology.
Foreign media had already reported on X-NAND at last year's Flash Memory Summit. However, it wasn't until this month that the company was officially granted two key patents.
The characteristic of X-NAND is that it combines the performance advantages of SLC NAND with the storage density of multiple bits in a single package.
Compared to traditional solutions, X-NAND can reduce the buffer size of flash memory chips by up to 94%, allowing manufacturers to significantly increase the number of planes per chip from 2-4 to 16-64.
Based on this, NAND chips can achieve higher parallel read and write performance, which can even improve the performance of SLC NAND.
In theory, X-NAND can increase sequential read speeds by up to 27 times that of QLC, sequential write speeds by 15 times, and random read/write performance by 3 times.
Meanwhile, thanks to the smaller size and lower power consumption of NAND chips, its manufacturing cost can be controlled to a level comparable to QLC. As for how much improvement there will be in durability, that's a more complex issue. Even so, the company claims it will be an improvement over traditional TLC/QLC flash memory.
Neo Semiconductor is currently seeking partnerships with NAND manufacturers such as Samsung, Intel, Micron, Kioxia, Western Digital, and SK Hynix. As of press time, the company holds 22 related patents.
