Intel and Micron show off a 20nm NAND flash chip

MEMORY MAKERS Intel and Micron have announced a 20nm fab process for NAND flash chips that will allow production of an 8GB multi-level cell (MLC) chip.

IM Flash Technologies (IMFT), a joint venture between Intel and Micron, said that the 20nm process will lead to 8GB chips measuring just 118mm square. To put that into perspective, the firm says that it allows for a 30 to 40 per cent reduction in circuit board space compared to existing 25nm 8GB NAND chips.

With such a reduction in physical size it is no wonder that IMFT is banging on about what the chip means for smartphone and tablet manufacturers. It claims the reduction will allow device manufacturers to use the extra space for components such as batteries, screens or even slotting in another chip.

IMFT says that the 20nm 8GB chip is currently sampling and it expects to begin mass production in the second half of 2011. The firm added that by then it expects to show off a 16GB chip that will have 128GB of storage on a device smaller than a postage stamp.

The density of NAND flash is becoming an increasing issue as portable devices require not only more capacity but also greater battery life. IMFT's decision to promote its 20nm MLC chips as a way for designers to save space is a shrewd approach as manufacturers can choose between going for increased battery life or greater storage capacity.

With production set to start in the second half of the year, we can expect the first batch of devices with 20nm flash in them to tip up just in time for Christmas. µ