Silicon Motion debuts 6nm UFS 4.0 controller, powering AI smartphones and edge computing.

Silicon Motion Technology Corporation, a renowned player in the field of NAND flash controllers for solid state storage devices, has recently unveiled its latest offering in the form of the SM2756 UFS 4.0 controller. This cutting-edge controller is set to be the flagship product in Silicon Motion’s extensive lineup of UFS controller solutions, catering to the ever-growing demands of AI-powered smartphones and high-performance applications such as automotive and edge computing.

In addition to the SM2756, Silicon Motion has also introduced the second generation SM2753 UFS 3.1 controller, further expanding its portfolio of controllers that support UFS 4.0 to UFS 2.2 standards. With its comprehensive UFS portfolio, Silicon Motion aims to provide high-performance and low-power embedded storage solutions for a wide range of mobile and computing devices, accommodating various NAND flash technologies including next-generation high-speed 3D TLC and QLC NAND.

The SM2756 UFS 4.0 controller stands out as the most advanced controller in the market, leveraging leading-edge 6 nm EUV technology and MIPI M-PHY low-power architecture. This combination ensures a perfect balance between high performance and power efficiency, enabling seamless all-day computing experiences on premium AI-driven mobile devices. The SM2756 boasts impressive sequential read speeds surpassing 4,300 MB/s and sequential write speeds exceeding 4,000 MB/s, while supporting a broad range of 3D TLC and QLC NAND flash with capacities of up to 2 TB.

Meanwhile, the second generation SM2753 UFS 3.1 controller showcases a high-speed serial-link-based MIPI M-PHY HS-Gear 4 x 2-lane and SCSI architecture model (SAM), enabling unparalleled performance. Building upon the success of its predecessor, the SM2754 UFS 3 controller, the SM2753 features a single channel design that delivers sequential read speeds of 2,150 MB/s and sequential write speeds of 1,900 MB/s. This controller is specifically designed to cater to the rapidly expanding UFS 3 market, targeting mainstream and value mobile phones, IoT devices, and automotive applications.

Both the SM2756 and SM2753 UFS controllers from Silicon Motion come equipped with advanced LDPC ECC technology and SRAM data error detection and correction capabilities. These features not only enhance data reliability but also improve overall performance while reducing power consumption. Furthermore, these controllers support a wide range of NAND flash technologies, including the latest 3D TLC and QLC NAND from leading flash manufacturers.

Nelson Duann, Senior VP of Client & Automotive Storage Business at Silicon Motion, emphasized the significance of their latest offerings. He stated, “Our 6 nm EUV SM2756 addresses the needs of the latest premium smartphones requiring high performance, high capacity, and low power NAND storage to meet the needs of next-generation AI functionality and applications. Our new single channel SM2753 enables us to extend our leadership in the large and growing UFS 3 market with a more cost-effective, high-performance, and low-power controller.”

To provide a quick overview of the specifications, the SM2756 UFS 4.0 controller is JEDEC UFS 4.0 compliant, supporting HS-Gear-5 x 2-lane, MPHY version 5.0, and UniPro standard version 2.0. It operates as a 2-channel NAND flash controller with support for 1.8 V/1.2 V I/O operation and Toggle DDR 5.1/ONFI 5.1 NAND. With its LDPC ECC Engine, the SM2756 offers robust error correction capabilities and achieves impressive sequential read/write speeds of 4,300 MB/s and 4,000 MB/s, respectively. Mass production of the SM2756 is expected to commence in mid-2024.

On the other hand, the SM2753 UFS 3.1 controller adheres to JEDEC UFS 3.1 standards and supports HS-Gear-4 x 2-lane, MPHY version 4.1, and UniPro standard version 1.8. Operating as a single channel NAND flash controller, it also supports 1.8 V/1.2 V I/O operation and Toggle DDR 5.1/ONFI 5.1 NAND. With its LDPC ECC Engine, the SM2753 delivers sequential read/write speeds of 2,150 MB/s and 1,900 MB/s, respectively. Mass production of the SM2753 has already commenced.

Silicon Motion’s latest UFS controller solutions offer advanced LDPC ECC technology, SRAM data error detection and correction, and support for a wide range of NAND flash technologies. With their impressive performance, reliability enhancements, and power efficiency, these controllers are poised to meet the evolving demands of modern mobile and computing devices.

Technology Explained

---

EUV: Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography (EUV or EUVL) is an advanced semiconductor manufacturing technique that employs extremely short wavelengths of light in the extreme ultraviolet spectrum to create intricate patterns on silicon wafers. Utilizing a wavelength around 13.5 nanometers, significantly shorter than traditional lithography methods, EUVL enables the production of smaller and more densely packed integrated circuits, enhancing the performance and efficiency of modern microprocessors and memory chips.

---

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.