Kioxia Unveils 2Tb 3D QLC NAND with BiCS8 Technology for High-Performance SSDs and AI Applications

Kioxia Unveils 2Tb 3D QLC NAND with BiCS8 Technology for High-Performance SSDs and AI Applications
Image credit: Kioxia Europe 

After Western Digital announced its 2Tb 3D QLC NAND components in mid-June, Kioxia followed suit by revealing its own 2Tb 3D QLC devices, providing more detailed insights into these 256GB components. Utilizing the company's 218-layer BiCS8 process technology, Kioxia's 2Tb 3D QLC NAND components feature an interface speed of 3,600 MT/s, making them some of the fastest flash memory components available. They also offer a 70% improvement in write power efficiency compared to Kioxia's previous generation based on the BiCS5 production node, due to their higher density and efficiency.

Additionally, Kioxia has developed performance-optimized 1Tb 3D QLC NAND, which offers a 30% faster sequential write performance and a 15% lower read latency. These 1Tb devices are aimed at client SSDs and mobile applications, providing performance comparable to 3D TLC NAND. 

The increased storage capacity of the 2Tb 3D QLC NAND devices allows for the creation of high-capacity SSDs in compact form factors. For example, a 16-Hi stacked package measuring 11.5 x 13.5 x 1.5 mm could enable a 4TB M.2-2230 SSD or a 16TB M.2-2280 drive, benefiting Kioxia's SSD-manufacturing customers.

Kioxia BiCFlash
Image credit: Kioxia America Inc.

Kioxia's BiCS8 2Tb 3D QLC NAND is targeted for applications such as artificial intelligence and backup storage, which benefit from high storage density. Interested parties are currently testing these devices.

"We are pleased to be shipping samples of our new 2Tb QLC with the new eighth-generation BiCS flash technology," said Hideshi Miyajima, CTO of Kioxia. "With its industry-leading high bit density, high-speed data transfer, and superior power efficiency, the 2Tb QLC product will offer new value for rapidly emerging AI applications and large storage applications demanding power and space savings."

Pure Storage is expected to be among the first to incorporate Kioxia's 2Tb 3D QLC NAND into its products. Charles Giancarlo, CEO of Pure Storage, stated, "We have a long-standing relationship with KIOXIA and are delighted to incorporate their eighth-generation BiCS Flash 2Tb QLC flash memory products to enhance the performance and efficiency of our all-flash storage solutions. Pure's unified all-flash data storage platform meets the demanding needs of artificial intelligence as well as the aggressive costs of backup storage. Backed by Kioxia technology, Pure Storage will continue to offer unmatched performance, power efficiency, and reliability, delivering exceptional value to our customers."