SK Hynix Introducing 72-Layer 3D NAND Flash

SK Hynix Inc. introduced 72-layer 256Gb (Gigabit) 3D NAND flash based on its TLC arrays and own technologies.

The company stacks 1.5 times more cells for the 72-layer 3D NAND than it does for the 48-Layer 3D which is already in mass production. A single 256Gb NAND flash chip can represent 32GB storage.

The firm launched 36-layer 128Gb 3D NAND chips in April 2016, and has been mass producing 48-layer 256Gb 3D NAND chips since November 2016. In five months, the company has developed the 72-layer 256Gb 3D NAND chips.

72-layer 3D NAND chips and 1TB SSD (in development process)
The technological achievement of this 72-layer 256Gb 3D NAND compares figuratively to the difficulty of approximately four billion 72-storied skyscrapers on a dime. The chip also achieves approximately 30% more manufacturing productivity over its predecessor 48-layer by stacking 1.5 times more cells and utilizing existing mass production facilities. Also by bringing high-speed circuit design into the new chip, its internal operation speed is two times faster and R/W performance is 20% higher than a 48-layer 3D NAND chip.

With this 72-layer 3D NAND chips having 30% more efficiency in productivity and 20% higher performance, the company has been currently developing NAND flash solutions such as SSD and storage for mobile devices such as smart phones. With the improved performance, high reliability and low power consumption, the company looks forward to solidifying its business competence in the 3D NAND memory solutions.

“With the introduction of this industry’s highest productivity 3D NAND, SK Hynix will mass produce the 256Gb 3D NAND in the second half of this year to provide this to worldwide business clients for optimum use in storage solutions” said VP Jong Ho Kim, head, marketing division. “The company plans to expand the usage of the product to SSDs and mobile gadgets such as smart phones to further improve its business structure weighted towards DRAM.”

3D NAND demand will rapidly increase across artificial intelligence, big data and cloud storage. According to Gartner, NAND flash market revenue is expected to total $46.5 billion in this year and post continuous growth to amount to $56.5 billion in 2021.