SK Hynix has been quite busy making waves in the NAND flash memory world with its latest advancements, now producing 321 layers in their incredible new 4D NAND technology, a significant 35% boost in layers.
Progress in NAND Technology: SK Hynix’s New Milestone
SK Hynix, a key player in memory and storage solutions, recently announced the full-scale production of its cutting-edge 321-layer TLC NAND. This high-tech memory uses Triple-Level Cell technology, introduced just last year with the purpose of offering expansive storage solutions through 1 TB memory chips.
Image Credit: SK hynix
Originally set to kick off mass production in the first quarter of 2025, SK Hynix has impressively accelerated its timeline, starting several months earlier. The 321-layer NAND stands proud as the world’s first to achieve this stacked height, improving layer count by 35% over the previous 238-layer version. This leap not only bumps up storage capabilities but also boosts overall reliability.
The company reached these over 300 layers thanks to the innovative "3 Plugs" process technology, which cleverly connects three electrical plugs. This involves crafting vertical holes in the substrate layers to create the memory cells. To prevent any distortion of the wafers, low-stress materials are used, while Alignment Correction Technology enhances production precision.
SK Hynix reports that their 321-layer NAND isn’t just about more layers—it’s about performance, too. With a 12% bump in data transfer speeds, 13% faster read performance, and over 10% better power efficiency, this NAND can extend battery life for devices. Plus, thanks to smart tweaks in their manufacturing process, productivity sees a 59% uplift.
"SK Hynix is charging ahead as a Full Stack AI Memory Provider by perfecting our ultra-high-performance NAND offerings, complementing our leading DRAM business spearheaded by HBM."
— Jungdal Choi, Head of NAND Development at SK Hynix
The introduction of this 4D NAND positions SK Hynix to effectively serve the growing needs of AI-driven applications, especially those favoring low-power solutions. As the demand for AI surges globally, AI Data Centers that lean on SSDs for lightning-fast data processing stand to gain significantly from the 321-layer NAND.
With the rollout of the 321-layer NAND, SK Hynix now takes a lead over major competitors like Samsung and Micron, who are actively vying to deliver state-of-the-art NAND technology.
Share This Story
Facebook
Twitter
