Numonyx Announces 41nm NAND Flash Devices

Numonyx, a well known supplier of NOR flash memory, has announced the introduction of a series of NAND flash memory devices developed under the advanced 41nm and 48nm process technology. According to the company, the new products are meant to strengthen its position in the NOR and managed NAND markets, with the main focus on wireless and embedded applications.

Numonyx has included in the lineup up to 32Gb multi-level cell (MLC) NAND 32GB eMMC and up to 8GB microSD products, all fabricated under the 41nm process technology, and up to 1Gb SLC NAND, which has been manufactured on the on 48nm process. As the company reveals, the 32GB eMMC solution is the highest available in the industry, while being fully compliant with JEDEC eMMC version 4.3 standards, meant to simplify development and design for manufacturers. The maker has also announced that it would provide samples of the 32GB density starting January 2009.

Fabio Gualandris, vice president and general manager of the Data Business Group at Numonyx, has stated that the maker expects to leverage its strength in the wireless and embedded market through the migration to 41nm. Gualandris added that Numonyx was able to provide the best combination of technologies at the right densities for the best applications, as its NOR and cost-effective DRAM technologies complement each other.

The new 41nm NAND flash memory devices allow the company to meet the requirements of the market in the managed NAND segment, where the controller function is included in the memory. Global positioning systems, as well as other applications that need large amounts of easy-to-manage storage could benefit from the new Numonyx products. Moreover, the combination of managed NAND into multi-chip solutions with a wide range of packages and RAMs can prove a great choice for high-end handset makers.

Gualandris added that Numonyx was on a competitive positioning in the field of manufacturing technologies when compared to industry leaders such as Samsung Electronics. He also stressed on the fact that the company must remain focused on the development of packaging technologies, as the laws of physics will play an important role in the smaller geometries.