Memory solutions developer, Kioxia Europe, has started shipping evaluation samples of embedded flash memory compatible with the next-generation UFS 5.0 standard, aimed at next-generation mobile devices with on-device AI functions.
“As Large Language Models (LLMs) move onto mobile devices, storage must behave more like high-speed system memory to prevent processing bottlenecks,” said Axel Störmann, Chief Technology Officer & Vice President, Kioxia Europe. “The massive data throughput of our UFS 5.0 embedded flash memory device enables faster task completion and allows the device to return to a low-power idle state sooner. This high efficiency and fast processing speed are an essential combination for customers developing generative AI applications on battery-powered devices.”
Kioxia’s device encompasses MIPI M-PHY version 6.0 for the physical layer and UniPro version 3.0 for the protocol. M-PHY version 6.0 introduces the new HS-GEAR6 mode, theoretically supporting an interface speed of up to 46.6Gbps per lane; with 2 lanes, UFS 5.0 can achieve approximately 10.8GB/s of effective read/write performance.
The evaluation samples incorporate an in-house newly developed controller for UFS 5.0 and KIOXIA’s 8th-generation BiCS FLASH and are available in capacities of 512GB and 1TB. The package has been newly designed with a small 7.5 x 13 mm size, contributing to board space efficiency and design flexibility.
The samples are provided to customers who are developing UFS 5.0-compatible host systems, enabling them to evaluate performance and conduct interoperability testing.
