Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest maker of flash memory, on Monday announced the industry's first production of 20nm-class NAND chips for use in Secure Digital (SD) memory cards and embedded memory solutions. Based on this cutting-edge technology, the introduction of 32Gb MLC NAND will expand the company's memory card solutions for smart phones, high-end IT applications and high-performance memory cards.

Samsung's 20nm-class MLC NAND has a 50% higher productivity level than 30nm-class MLC NAND. The write performance of a 20nm-class-based, 8GB and higher density, SD card is 30% faster than the 30nm-class NAND and it delivers a speed-class rating of 10 (read speed of 20MB/s, write speed of 10MB/s). By applying cutting-edge process, design and controller technology, Samsung also has secured reliability levels comparable to 30nm-class NAND.

"In just one year after initiating 30nm-class NAND production, Samsung has made available the next generation node 20nm-class NAND, which exceeds most customers requirements for high-performance, high-density NAND-based solutions. The new 20nm-class NAND is not only a significant step forward in process design, but we have incorporated advanced technologies into it to enable substantial performance innovation,” said said Soo-In Cho, president of memory division at Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics first began producing 32Gb NAND with 30nm-class process technology in March 2009. Now it is shipping SD card samples to customers that are built with 20nm-class 32Gb NAND and will expand production later this year. Memory cards based in the 20nm-class will be available from 4GB through 64GB densities.

Tags: Samsung, Flash, 20nm