Nand Flash Memory -- Product Trends, Technology Overview, and Technical Challenges

Summary form only given. Flash technology role in storage is now mainstream. Nand Flash is the nonvolatile memory behind SSD, mobile computing devices and mobile appliances (such as phones and cameras). The cost reduction pace has imposed significant challenges to the architecture of the Nand device. Also product requirements related to performance and reliability have highlighted significant problems that have to be addressed. This talk will present an overview of the Flash technology. To put the presentation in the right perspective, an introduction to various products that use flash will be given along with technical challenges that each pose. Reliability is a major requirement that Flash memories must address. This talk will prevent a discussion on factors that affect reliability, how these are addressed and expected technical challenges in the next 2-4 years.