Samsung Unveils Revolutionary Automotive SSD with Cutting-Edge 8th-Gen V-NAND Technology

Samsung Electronics has developed the industry's first PCIe 4.0 automotive SSD, the AM9C1, which offers industry-leading speeds and enhanced reliability for on-device AI capabilities in automotive applications, with plans to offer multiple storage options and certifications for durability and stability.

Industry-leading speeds of up to 4,400MB/s sequential read and 400MB/s sequential write
50% improved power efficiency compared to its predecessor
Meets automotive semiconductor quality standard AEC-Q100 Grade 2 and has received ASPICE CL3 authentication

Samsung Electronics has announced the development of the industry’s first PCIe 4.0 automotive SSD, based on eighth-generation vertical NAND (V-NAND). The new auto SSD, called AM9C1, offers industry-leading speeds and enhanced reliability, making it an ideal solution for on-device AI capabilities in automotive applications.

Compared to its predecessor, the AM991, the new 256GB auto SSD boasts about 50% improved power efficiency. It delivers impressive sequential read and write speeds of up to 4,400 megabytes-per-second (MB/s) and 400MB/s, respectively.

Hyunduk Cho, Vice President and Head of Automotive Group at Samsung Electronics’ Memory Business, stated that the company is collaborating with global autonomous vehicle makers to provide high-performance, high-capacity automotive products. Samsung aims to lead the Physical AI memory market, which includes autonomous driving and robotics technologies.

The AM9C1 is built on Samsung’s 5-nanometer (nm) controller and features a single-level cell (SLC) Namespace feature. By switching from its original triple-level cell (TLC) state to SLC mode, users can experience boosted read and write speeds of up to 4,700MB/s and 1,400MB/s, respectively, while also benefiting from the added reliability of SLC SSDs.

The 256GB AM9C1 is currently in the sampling phase with key partners and is expected to enter mass production by the end of this year. Samsung plans to offer multiple storage options for the AM9C1, ranging from 128GB to 2 terabytes (TB), with the industry’s largest 2TB model scheduled for mass production early next year.

Samsung’s new auto SSD product meets the automotive semiconductor quality standard AEC-Q100 Grade 2 through rigorous board-level tests, ensuring stable performance in a wide temperature range of -40°C to 105°C. The company also conducts various quality assurance processes to meet the high standards of the automotive industry in terms of durability and stability.

Samsung has received ASPICE CL3 authentication for its UFS 3.1 product and aims to obtain CSMS certification based on ISO/SAE 21434. These certifications affirm the reliability and stability of Samsung’s technology, and the company will continue to enhance its product stability and quality to provide the best solutions to its key partners.

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Background Information

About Samsung: Samsung, a renowned South Korean multinational conglomerate, has established itself as a global leader in various industries, including electronics, technology, and more. Founded in 1938, Samsung's influence spans from smartphones and consumer electronics to semiconductors and home appliances. With a commitment to innovation, Samsung has contributed groundbreaking products like the Galaxy series of smartphones, QLED TVs, and SSDs that have revolutionized the way we live and work.

Technology Explained

NAND: NAND technology is a type of non-volatile memory that is used in many computer applications. It is a type of flash memory that is used to store data in a non-volatile manner, meaning that the data is not lost when the power is turned off. NAND technology is used in many computer applications, such as solid-state drives, USB flash drives, digital cameras, and memory cards. It is also used in many embedded systems, such as cell phones, tablets, and other consumer electronics. NAND technology is a reliable and cost-effective way to store data, making it a popular choice for many computer applications.

PCIe: PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for connecting components such as graphics cards, sound cards, and network cards to a motherboard. It is the most widely used interface in the computer industry today, and is used in both desktop and laptop computers. PCIe is capable of providing up to 16 times the bandwidth of the older PCI standard, allowing for faster data transfer speeds and improved performance. It is also used in a variety of other applications, such as storage, networking, and communications. PCIe is an essential component of modern computing, and its applications are only expected to grow in the future.

SSD: A Solid State Drive (SSD) is a modern data storage device that employs flash memory technology to store data electronically. Unlike traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), SSDs have no moving parts, resulting in significantly faster read and write speeds. This leads to quicker boot times, faster application loading, and smoother overall system performance. SSDs are known for their durability, shock resistance, and energy efficiency, making them ideal for laptops, ultrabooks, and other portable devices. They come in various form factors, including 2.5-inch, M.2, and PCIe cards, and are favored for their reliability, quiet operation, and reduced heat generation