Toshiba Memory America, Inc. (TMA), the U.S.-based subsidiary of Toshiba Memory Corporation, today announced the launch of a new Storage Class Memory (SCM) solution: XL-FLASH. Based on the company's innovative BiCS FLASH 3D flash memory technology with 1-bit-per-cell SLC, XL-FLASH brings low latency and high performance to data center and enterprise storage. Sample shipments will start in September, with mass production expected to begin in 2020.

Classified as SCM (or persistent memory), with the ability to retain its contents like NAND flash memory, XL-FLASH bridges the performance gap that exists between DRAM and NAND. While volatile memory solutions such as DRAM provide the access speed needed by demanding applications, that performance comes at a high cost. As the cost-per-bit and scalability of DRAM levels off, this new SCM (or persistent memory) layer in the memory hierarchy addresses that issue with a high density, cost effective, non-volatile NAND flash memory solution. Poised for growth, industry analyst firm IDC estimates the SCM market is expected to reach in excess of $3B in 2022.Sitting in between DRAM and NAND flash, XL-FLASH brings increased speed, reduced latency and higher storage capacities - at a lower cost than traditional DRAM. XL-FLASH will initially be deployed in an SSD format but could be expanded to memory channel attached devices that sit on the DRAM bus, such as future industry standard non-volatile dual in-line memory modules (NVDIMMs).

Key Features

• 128 gigabit (Gb) die (in a 2-die, 4-die, 8-die package)
• 4 KB page size for more efficient operating system reads and writes
• 16-plane architecture for more efficient parallelism
• Fast page read and program times. XL-FLASH provides a low read latency of less than 5 microseconds, approximately 10 times faster than existing TLC

As the inventor of NAND flash, the first to announce 3D flash memory technology and a leader in process migrations, Toshiba Memory is ideally positioned to deliver SLC-based SCM with mature manufacturing, proven scalability and time-tested SLC reliability.

"With XL-FLASH, we are giving hyperscalers and enterprise server/storage providers a more cost-effective, lower latency storage solution that bridges the gap between DRAM and NAND performance," noted Scott Nelson, senior vice president and general manager of Toshiba Memory America, Inc.'s Memory Business Unit. "We're also opening the door for emerging technologies and industry standards that will enable different form factors for low-latency flash memory solutions. SCM is the next frontier for enterprise storage, and our role as one of the world's largest flash memory suppliers gives XL-FLASH a cost/performance edge over competing SCM solutions."