IDT/Renesas: ONFI 4.1 1:4 Flash Memory Expander for Performance High-Density SSDs

Integrated Device Technology, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Renesas Electronics Corporation, announced a flash memory expander that allows designers to develop high-capacity, performance SSDs for data center and enterprise applications.

The MX0141K expander enables SSDs using existing ONFI 4.1 components to improve overall signal integrity between the controller and NAND flash and allows a larger array of NAND devices to operate at maximum NV-DDR3 interface speeds.

To achieve high-capacity SSD requirements, designers are required to place up to 16 die per channel or more on a controller. As the NAND performance requirements increase to 1,200MT/s, the capacitive loading on the bus introduces signal integrity issues and higher speeds cannot be achieved. The company’s 1:4 expander isolates NAND die on the bus to enable the highest speed operation and supports port speeds up to 1,600MT/s in SSD applications.

“Rapid advancements in high bandwidth storage interconnects are driving an insatiable need to leverage those pipes with large quantities of flash memory operating at maximum speeds,” said Rami Sethi, VP and GM, memory interface division, IDT. “This new flash memory expander leverages our core competency in high-speed signal integrity products to address the design challenges of next-generation storage equipment.“

The company has collaborated with Marvell Technology Group Ltd. to develop a SSD reference design featuring the MX0141K and Marvell’s 88SS1098 controller, creating a U.2 solution to maximize capacity and performance without expanding design footprint. This controller enables performance and capacity SSDs to meet the demands of challenging workloads in enterprise and data center environments.

“Our data center and enterprise SSD customers are seeking to optimize their capacities without comprising performance using our latest generation of high performance NVMe controllers,” said Nigel Alvares, VP, marketing, flash business unit, Marvell Semiconductor, Inc. “IDT’s flash memory expanders combined with our industry-leading controllers will enable our customers to deliver high capacity SSDs with optimal IO/s per terabyte.“

Housed in a low-power, compact 4×11 mm 126-FCCSP package, the MX0141K is sampling to select customers.