SanDisk on Tuesday said it will begin mass producing flash memory cards with an unprecedented 64 gigabytes of storage capacity.
Northern California-based SanDisk developed the high-performance card in collaboration with Japanese electronics titan Toshiba using 43-nanometer process technology.
In what the firms described as a breakthrough, cells in the “X3” cards hold two to four times the amount of data as is typical in the industry.
SanDisk’s 4-bits-per-cell (X4) flash memory enables 64-gigabit (Gb) memory in a single die . SanDisk has also produced an advanced X4 controller, which is necessary to effectively manage the complexities and performance requirements of X4 memory. The X4 controller utilizes a first-of-its-kind error correcting code (ECC) scheme specifically developed for use in storage systems, and tailored to support the 16 levels of distribution needed for 4-bits-per-cell. The X4 memory chip combines with the X4 controller chip in a multi-chip package (MCP) to provide an integrated storage solution. The new 43nm 64Gb X4 chip is boasting a 7.8MB/sec memory write performance that is comparable with current multi-level cell technologies.
SanDisk is the world’s largest supplier of flash storage cards and plans to bring X3 cards to market by mid-year.
A premium memory card currently available from SanDisk can hold 32GB of data while 16GB cards are a mainstay of its line.
Tiny flash memory cards are used for storing data in an array of devices, including digital cameras, MP3 players, smart phones, and videogame consoles.
“The microSD form factor has grown in popularity due to rising demand for high capacity storage on mobile phones, and X3 will enable us to bring exciting new products to this market,” said SanDisk executive vice president Yoram Cedar.
