Numonyx, Hynix and Phison Join to Develop NAND Controllers

Hynix Semiconductor, Inc., Numonyx B.V. and Phison Electronics Corp. have signed a collaboration agreement to jointly develop controllers for the next generation of managed-NAND solutions based on the newly released JEDEC eMMC 4.4 industry specification. The collaboration is expected to speed the delivery of the industry’s most advanced eMMC specification available, helping to manage and simplify
high-capacity storage requirements and improve the overall system-level performance of wireless and embedded applications.

Under this agreement, Phison, Hynix and Numonyx will leverage their respective competencies to develop controllers used in combination with a variety of NAND flash products. Phison will exclusively supply the jointly developed controllers to Hynix and Numonyx, which will enhance their respective NAND flash memory solutions portfolio.

“Through this collaboration, Hynix expects to enhance its technology leadership of the NAND flash solutions,” said Min-goo Choi, Hynix senior vice president of Corporate Strategy Office. “Also, the company can expand its market share by diversifying its NAND flash products to the premium application products such as microSD, eMMC, SSD and more.”

“Standard interfaces like eMMC are becoming a common requirement for NAND Flash memory systems used in next 3G+ mobile platforms,” said Marco Dallabora, Numonyx vice president and general manager of the Wireless Business Group. “This agreement will allow Numonyx to bring its system-level expertise to provide compelling system solutions for our customers and partners.”

"As a leading provider of NAND flash controllers, Phison is very pleased to work with Numonyx and Hynix on an exciting product like eMMC 4.4," said K.S. Pua, chairman and CEO, Phison Electronics Corporation. "Through the collaboration, we hope to contribute our NAND management expertise to bring the best solution to the wireless market."

eMMC is an embedded non-volatile memory system, comprising both flash memory and a flash memory controller. The new MMC V4.4 standard features numerous enhancements including a doubling of the memory interface performance, flexible partition management and improved security options.

All three companies have a successful history of collaboration with each other. In June 2008, Hynix and Phison announced the joint development of NAND application technology and supply of NAND flash; Numonyx and Hynix entered into a joint development agreement in August 2008 to develop current and future NAND technologies and products; and Numonyx and Phison collaborated on the development of standard and enhanced eMMC4.3 solutions which are now available in Numonyx products and solutions.

Products combining the jointly developed controllers by Phison and NAND flash memory from Numonyx and Hynix are expected to be available before the end of the year.