Micron announces 16NM Flash NAND Memory: Full product Q4 2013.
Source: http://investors.micron.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=777402
Quote:
July 16, 2013
Micron Unveils 16-Nanometer Flash Memory Technology
World's Smallest and Most Advanced Semiconductor Process Node Will Feed the Storage Demands of Consumer Applications and Data Centers
Multimedia Elements:
BOISE, Idaho, July 16, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Micron Technology, Inc., (Nasdaq:MU) today announced that it is sampling next-generation, 16-nanometer (nm) process technology, enabling the industry's smallest 128-gigabit (Gb) multi-level cell (MLC) NAND Flash memory devices. The 16nm node is not only the leading Flash process, but it is also the most advanced processing node for any sampling semiconductor device. It solidifies Micron's leadership position in storage technology development and delivers on the company's vision to provide the most advanced semiconductor solutions.
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=19882
Micron's 128Gb MLC NAND Flash memory devices are targeted at applications like consumer SSDs, removable storage (USB drives and Flash cards), tablets, ultrathin devices, mobile handsets and data center cloud storage. The new 128Gb NAND Flash memory provides the greatest number of bits per square millimeter and lowest cost of any MLC device in existence. In fact, the new technology could create nearly 6TB of storage on a single wafer.
"Micron's dedicated team of engineers has worked tirelessly to introduce the world's smallest and most advanced Flash manufacturing technology," said Glen Hawk, vice president of Micron's NAND Solutions Group. "Our customers continually ask for higher capacities in smaller form factors, and this next-generation process node allows Micron to lead the market in meeting those demands."
"Cost reductions will always be fundamental to the NAND industry and so companies who can continue to lead on the flash process technology will be poised for success, particularly in vertically integrated solutions," according to Gartner.*
Micron is sampling the 16nm, 128Gb MLC NAND with select partners now and plans to be in full production in 4Q13. Micron is also developing a new line of solid-state drive (SSD) solutions based on these devices and expects to ship SSDs with 16nm Flash in 2014.
Images of Micron's 16nm NAND can be downloaded at: http://www.micron.com/about/news-and-events/media-kits/16nm-nand
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*Gartner, Inc., Weekly Memory Pricing Index, Gerald Van Hoy, Joseph Unsworth, Brady Wang, July 2013
About Micron
Micron Technology, Inc., is one of the world's leading providers of advanced semiconductor solutions. The company transforms foundational memory technologies—including DRAM, NAND Flash and NOR Flash—into innovative solutions such as solid state drives (SSDs) and storage appliances, modules, multichip packages and other semiconductor systems. Micron's worldwide operations design, manufacture and market these solutions for use in leading-edge computing, consumer, enterprise servers and storage, networking, embedded and mobile products. Micron's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ under the MU symbol. To learn more about Micron Technology, Inc., visit www.micron.com.
The Micron Technology, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6950
©2013 Micron Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Information is subject to change without notice. Micron and the Micron orbit logo are trademarks of Micron Technology, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
This news release may contain forward-looking statements regarding the production and availability of 16nm, 128Gb MLC NAND and solid-state drive (SSD) solutions incorporating this device. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to the documents Micron files on a consolidated basis from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically Micron's most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. These documents contain and identify important factors that could cause the actual results for Micron on a consolidated basis to differ materially from those contained in our forward-looking statements (see Certain Factors). Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.
The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.
CONTACT: PR CONTACT:
Melinda Jenkins
Zeno Group for Micron Technology
650-801-7957
Melinda.Jenkins@zenogroup.com
Micron's new 16nm NAND-the world's most advanced semiconductor process-provides 16GB of storage on a single die. The company says the new storage technology will be released on next-generation SSDs in 2014.
Comments
Unfortunately sampling and shipping are two different things. It will be probably late 2014 before products ship. In the case of Apple it might be even longer, last I heard it took Apple over a year to validate flash on a new node.
I have to wonder also about reliability, flash endurance has been decreasing with each node for some time now. I wonder if they have any new tech to gain back some of that lost endurance.