South Korea-based global technology giant Samsung Electronics has announced that it has developed a high-density NAND flash memory chip that can store 16 Gigabit (Gb) per NAND memory device. This is the world’s highest-density flash memory chip ever developed and would enhance the storage of gadgets like multi-feature mobile phones, digital cameras and music devices.
“Memory is opening a bold new world in consumer electronics. With cards containing multiple 16Gb flash memory chips, you will be able to take your entire music and personal video libraries with you on one small portable device,” said Dr Chang-Gyu Hwang, who heads Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor business.
According to a statement released by Samsung, the chip would use a 50-nanometer technology as against the 80-nanometer technology that is widely used now. The company claimed that storage that can be contained in the new chip equals data in 8,000 digital music files or in 32 hours of high-quality films. Once the chips hit the market, it will become possible to use memory cards with densities up to 32 GB if 16 such chips are used on one card.
“The future of NAND is setting the stage for an irreversible shift in the design of digital end products as NAND becomes the key storage medium for data in virtually any portable form. NAND flash will eventually replace other storage mediums, especially those used in mobile products, creating a ‘Flash Rush’, as NAND continues to register an unprecedented surge in demand as the backbone of the mobile electronics era," Dr Hwang said. The commercial production of the chip would begin in 2006.
The development would accelerate the use of NAND as the main storage medium in portable digital systems like USB drives, MP3 players, mobile handsets and also tablet PCs and laptops. Mini hard disk drives, which are already facing competition from NAND, face the danger of redundancy.
As of now, Samsung leads the NAND market with a share of 60 per cent. With more and more consumers being attracted to hi-tech gadgets with high storage capacities, the market is set to see a surge. According to estimates, this market is expected to grow to US$ 10.14 billion in 2005 as against US$ 7.01 billion in 2004.
