KIOXIA America Debuts UFS Ver. 3.1 Embedded Flash Memory Devices

Delivers Significant Performance Boost to 5G Applications – and Beyond

SAN JOSE, Calif., February 25, 2020 – Further cementing its position as a leading provider of storage for next-gen mobile devices, KIOXIA America, Inc. (formerly Toshiba Memory America, Inc.), the U.S.-based subsidiary of KIOXIA Corporation, today announced that it has started sampling[1] Universal Flash Storage[2] (UFS) Ver. 3.1 embedded flash memory devices. Well suited for mobile applications requiring high-performance with low power consumption, the new lineup utilizes KIOXIA’s cutting-edge BiCS FLASH™ 3D flash memory and is supported in four capacities: 128 gigabytes (GB), 256GB, 512GB, and 1 terabyte[3] (TB).

The new devices integrate BiCS FLASH 3D flash memory and a controller in a JEDEC-standard 11.5 x 13mm package. The controller performs error correction, wear leveling, logical-to-physical address translation, and bad-block management for simplified system development. 

“KIOXIA was the first company to introduce UFS in 20134 and the first to offer UFS Ver. 3.0 last year5, and we continue to be at the forefront of UFS memory with this Ver. 3.1 announcement today,” noted Scott Beekman, director of managed flash memory products for KIOXIA America, Inc.  “Our newest offerings enable next-gen mobile devices to take full advantage of the connectivity benefits of 5G, leading to faster downloads and reduced lag time – and an improved user experience.”

All four devices include the following features:

  • WriteBooster: Enables significantly faster write speeds (more than 2-3X the speed of Ver. 3.0)
  • Sequential Read Performance: Improved by approximately 30% over existing Ver. 3.0. 
  • Host Performance Booster (HPB) Ver. 1.0 (defined as an extension specification): Improves random read performance by utilizing the host side memory.
  • UFS-DeepSleep Power Mode: Achieves power consumption reduction in sleep mode compared to UFS-Sleep Power Mode.
  • Performance Throttling Event Notification: UFS may throttle performance, if the internal temperature reaches its upper limit, to avoid overheating and damage to the internal device circuits.
     

For more information, please visit www.kioxia.com.

About KIOXIA America, Inc.
KIOXIA America, Inc. (formerly Toshiba Memory America, Inc.) is the U.S.-based subsidiary of KIOXIA Corporation, a leading worldwide supplier of flash memory and solid state drives (SSDs). From the invention of flash memory to today’s breakthrough BiCS FLASH™ 3D technology, KIOXIA continues to pioneer cutting-edge memory solutions and services that enrich people's lives and expand society's horizons. The company's innovative 3D flash memory technology, BiCS FLASH, is shaping the future of storage in high-density applications, including advanced smartphones, PCs, SSDs, automotive, and data centers. For more information, please visit KIOXIA.com.

Notes:
[1] Sample shipments of the 256GB device started in February with the rest of the line-up to gradually follow after March. Specification of the samples may differ from that of commercial products.
[2] Universal Flash Storage (UFS) is a product category for a class of embedded memory products built to the JEDEC UFS standard specification. JEDEC is a registered trademark of JEDEC Solid State Technology Association.
[3] In every mention of a KIOXIA product: Product density is identified based on the density of memory chip(s) within the Product, not the amount of memory capacity available for data storage by the end user. Consumer-usable capacity will be less due to overhead data areas, formatting, bad blocks, and other constraints, and may also vary based on the host device and application. For details, please refer to applicable product specifications. The definition of 1KB = 2^10 bytes = 1,024 bytes. The definition of 1Gb = 2^30 bits = 1,073,741,824 bits. The definition of 1GB = 2^30 bytes = 1,073,741,824 bytes. 1Tb = 2^40 bits = 1,099,511,627,776 bits.
[4] Source: KIOXIA Corporation, as of February 2013.
[5] Source: KIOXIA Corporation, as of January 23, 2019.

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  • Information in this press release, including product pricing and specifications, content of services, and contact information is current and believed to be accurate on the date of the announcement, but is subject to change without prior notice. Technical and application information contained here is subject to the most recent applicable KIOXIA product specifications.