Hynix Semiconductor, Numonyx, a developer of flash memory devices, and Phison Electronics, a manufacturer of flash card readers, have signed a collaboration agreement to jointly develop controllers for the next-generation of managed-NAND systems based on the newly released JEDEC eMMC 4.4 industry specification.
The collaboration is expected to speed the delivery of the industry’s advanced eMMC specification available, helping to manage and simplify high-capacity storage requirements and improve the overall system-level performance of wireless and embedded applications.
Under this agreement, Phison, Hynix and Numonyx will leverage their respective competencies to develop controllers used in combination with a variety of NAND flash products. Phison will exclusively supply the jointly developed controllers to Hynix and Numonyx, which will enhance their respective NAND flash memory solutions portfolio.
According to Hynix, eMMC is an embedded non-volatile memory system, comprising both flash memory and a flash memory controller. The new MMC V4.4 standard features numerous enhancements including a doubling of the memory interface performance, flexible partition management and improved security options.
Products combining the jointly developed controllers by Phison and NAND flash memory from Numonyx and Hynix are expected to be available before the end of 2009.
Min-goo Choi, senior vice president of corporate strategy office at Hynix, said: Through this collaboration, three parties expect to enhance its technology leadership of the NAND flash solutions. Also, this will help Hynix to expand its market share by diversifying its NAND flash products to premium application products such as microSD, eMMC, and SSD.
KS Pua, chairman and CEO of Phison Electronics, said: As a leading provider of NAND flash controllers, Phison is very pleased to work with Numonyx and Hynix on an exciting product like eMMC 4.4. Through the collaboration, we hope to contribute through our NAND management expertise and bring the best solution to the wireless market.
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