Sandisk Starts BiCS10 1Tb TLC 3D NAND Flash Memory Sampling With 332 Layers

Sandisk’s BiCS10 1Tb TLC 3D NAND enters customer sampling with 332 memory layers, interface speeds of up to 4.8Gb/s, and bit density exceeding 29Gb/mm². Compared with BiCS8, the new flash memory delivers 59% higher bit density while reducing power consumption during both read and write operations. The new NAND is intended for future SSDs, enterprise storage, AI servers, smartphones, and other flash-based storage products.

BiCS10 reaches its higher density through lateral scaling and a redesigned floor-plan layout instead of depending only on additional memory layers. More data fits into the same silicon area, giving storage manufacturers greater flexibility when increasing SSD capacities.

The interface speed reaches 4.8Gb/s, a 33% improvement over BiCS8. Faster communication between the NAND and the SSD controller improves data transfer efficiency, particularly in high-performance storage devices.

Power consumption drops by 10% during data input and by 34% during data output compared with BiCS8. Lower power demand benefits enterprise storage, AI servers, laptops, and other devices that remain active for extended periods.

The memory continues with Sandisk’s Bit-Cost Scalable (BiCS) 3D NAND architecture and CMOS directly Bonded to Array (CBA) technology. The memory array and CMOS logic are fabricated on separate wafers before being joined through high-precision wafer bonding.

BiCS10 supports Toggle DDR6.0, the Separate Command Address (SCA) protocol, and PI-LTT technology. Toggle DDR6.0 increases transfer speed between the NAND and controller. SCA separates command and address signals from data transfers so both operations can run simultaneously. PI-LTT adds a dedicated low-voltage power rail for the interface, reducing power consumption during data transfers.

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Sandisk Chief Technology Officer Alper Ilkbahar said higher-density flash memory, faster interfaces, and lower power consumption remain important as demand for data-intensive computing continues to grow.

Customer sampling is now underway. Sandisk has not disclosed a timeline for mass production or commercial SSDs based on BiCS10. Storage manufacturers typically complete qualification before new NAND enters volume production.

Source: Sandisk