Taiwan-based fabless semiconductor company Silicon Motion Technology Corp. SIMO recently announced that its SM2256 SATA (6Gb/s) client Solid-state Drive (“SSD”) controllers now support Micron Technology’s MU 16nm 128 gigabit (Gb) Triple-Level Cell (“TLC”) NAND flash. These controllers boost the reliability and performance of the latest cost-effective TLC-based SSDs.
Inside the Headlines
SM2256 four-channel SATA (6Gb/s) is capable of considerably improving operational performance of products and reducing costs of NAND flash, which enhances its commercial appeal. This is the world’s first controller, devised by Silicon Motion, which supports NAND flash of Micron, one of its leading customers. SM2256 can deliver up to 540MB/s sequential read and 460MB/s sequential write performance in collaboration with Micron’s 128Gb16nm TLC NAND. Also, the SM2256, with Micron’s 128Gb 16nm TLC NAND solution, is competent enough to deliver 90,000 random read IOPS and 80,000 random write IOPS.
Powered by Silicon Motion’s proprietary NANDXtend error-correcting code (“ECC”) technology, SM2256 can improve the reliability of TLC SSD three times over traditional BCH ECC schemes. The latest SSD controller supporting Micron's 16nm TLC NAND is also appropriate for use across a wide range of products in the electronic market, including ultrabooks, laptops and tablets. Furthermore, the product’s ability to withstand both commercial and industrial grade temperatures adds to its strength.
Bottom Line
SSD solutions are extensively used in consumer electronics, and the technology used in these solutions is integral to the performance of end products. The collaboration between Silicon Motion and Micron is expected to usher significant improvement in flash storage solutions by offering state-of-the-art NAND technology at affordable prices.
Silicon Motion, currently the second largest merchant supplier of SSD controllers, remains optimistic about the market’s strong growth prospects and benefits that can be achieved from it. As a matter of fact, impressive top-line growth in first-quarter 2015 was fuelled by strong demand for client SSD (especially from Micron and other NAND flash partners).
Based on current sales, Silicon Motion expects to deliver $45–$60 million worth client SSD controllers by the end of this year. We believe the company’s strong focus on research and development will create more impressive products that will supplement its profitability growth, going forward.
Silicon Motion currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). Other stocks that can be considered by investors include Ambarella, Inc. AMBA and CEVA Inc. CEVA, both holding the same Zacks Rank as Silicon Motion.
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