Kioxia Corporation, a prominent player in memory technology, has started sample shipments of its latest 512Gb Triple-Level Cell (TLC) memory devices built on the 9th generation BiCS FLASH™ 3D flash memory platform. These new devices are designed for use in applications that demand a balance of strong performance and energy efficiency, especially in systems with low to mid-range storage needs. The new flash memory will also feature in Kioxia’s upcoming enterprise-grade SSDs, particularly those developed to enhance GPU usage in artificial intelligence workloads. Full-scale production is targeted for fiscal 2025.
Kioxia’s innovation roadmap is centered around a two-pronged development approach that addresses evolving application requirements while ensuring cost efficiency. The first track focuses on 9th generation BiCS FLASH™, utilizing CMOS directly Bonded to Array (CBA) technology to merge advanced CMOS with proven memory cell designs—improving both performance and manufacturing efficiency. The second track, its 10th generation BiCS FLASH™, will expand memory layer count to meet the future demand for higher-capacity, performance-driven storage solutions.
Built using a 120-layer stacking process and advanced CMOS integration, the 9th generation BiCS FLASH™ delivers marked performance improvements over earlier Kioxia flash memory products of the same capacity. Compared to its predecessors, the new device achieves a 61% boost in write speeds, a 12% gain in read speeds, and notable improvements in power efficiency—36% during write operations and 27% while reading. Enhanced with a Toggle DDR6.0 interface, the memory achieves data transfer rates of 3.6Gbps, with demo tests reaching up to 4.8Gbps, and benefits from an 8% increase in bit density due to refined planar scaling.
Kioxia remains dedicated to strengthening global alliances and pushing the boundaries of memory innovation. The company continues to offer advanced storage technologies for smartphones, PCs, automotive platforms, data centers, and AI applications. Originally spun off from Toshiba Memory in 2017, Kioxia upholds its legacy as a pioneer of NAND flash and continues to shape the future of data storage with its cutting-edge BiCS FLASH™ architecture.
