Highest capacity 2Tb QLC flash memory with the latest 3D flash technology

KIOXIA Europe GmbH has started sample shipments of 2Tb (tera bit) Quad-Level-Cell (QLC) memory devices with its eighth-generation BiCS FLASH 3D flash memory technology. This device has the highest capacity in the industry, elevating storage devices to a new capacity point that will drive growth in multiple application segments, including AI.

With its latest BiCS FLASH technology, the company has accomplished vertical and lateral scaling of memory die through proprietary processes and innovative architectures. In addition, the company has implemented the groundbreaking CBA (CMOS directly Bonded to Array) technology, which allows the creation of higher-density devices and an industry-leading interface speed of 3.6Gbps. Together, these advanced technologies are applied in the creation of 2Tb QLC, resulting in the industry's highest-capacity memory device.

The 2Tb QLC has a bit density approximately 2.3 times higher and a write power efficiency approximately 70% higher than the company's current fifth-generation QLC device, which has the highest capacity in its products. With a 16-die stacked architecture in a single memory package, the latest QLC device achieves an industry-leading 4TB (terabyte) capacity. It is available with a smaller package size of 11.5mm x 13.5mm and a package height of 1.5mm.

Charles Giancarlo, chief executive officer, Pure Storage, Inc., the IT pioneer that delivers the world's most advanced data storage technology and services, highlighted the significance of KIOXIA's latest development for the company's platform: "We have a long-standing relationship with KIOXIA and are delighted to incorporate their eighth-generation BiCS FLASH 2Tb QLC flash memory products to enhance the performance and efficiency of our all-flash storage solutions. Pure's unified all-flash data storage platform can meet the demanding needs of artificial intelligence and the aggressive costs of backup storage. Backed by KIOXIA technology, Pure Storage will continue to offer unmatched performance, power efficiency, and reliability, delivering exceptional value to our customers."

"We are pleased to be shipping samples of our new 2Tb QLC with the new eighth-generation BiCS FLASH technology," said Hideshi Miyajima, chief technology officer of KIOXIA. "With its industry-leading high bit density, high-speed data transfer, and superior power efficiency, the 2Tb QLC product will offer new value for rapidly emerging AI applications and large storage applications demanding power and space savings."

The company added 1Tb QLC memory devices to its portfolio in addition to the 2Tb QLC. Compared with the capacity-optimised 2Tb QLC, the performance-optimised 1Tb QLC offers approximately 30% faster sequential write performance and approximately 15% improvement in read latency. The 1Tb QLC will be deployed in high-performance applications, including client SSD and mobile.