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Samsung Develops MLC-based 128GB, SATA II Solid State Drive

Samsung Electronics has developed a multi-level cell (MLC) flash-based 128GB solid state drive that it will produce this year in 1.8-inch and 2.5-inch versions for notebook and desktop PCs, as well as other mobile applications. The new drive offers a data writing speed of 70 megabytes per second, the industry's highest for MLC-based SSDs.

The Samsung MLC-based SSD's write speed of 70MB/s was achieved through the use of optimized controller technology and highly efficient flash-management firmware technology. Adding to its exceptional performance, Samsung's 128GB SSD reads data at 100MB/s.

Samsung's 128GB SSDs will be available in a thin-standard 1.8-inch version that is five millimeters thick, to spur the design of thinner ultra-mobile PCs, in addition to a conventional 1.8-inch version for mobile consumer applications and a 2.5-inch version for standard-sized notebooks.

Featuring a 3.0 gigabit-per-second SATA II interface, the new 128GB SSD uses native command queuing and spread-spectrum clocking to add to its higher performance levels. It also features device/host-initiated power management for an exceptionally low power consumption level of 0.5W in active mode.

Samsung's state-of-the-art wear-leveling technology, combined with its advanced flash management technology, provides high reliability for its MLC-based-SSD and a mean time between failures of one million hours.

Samsung released a 32GB PATA SSD in March 2006, followed by a 64GB version using the SATA I interface in March 2007 and the first 64GB SATA II SSD in November 2007. Development of Samsung's 128GB MLC-based SSD is a result of efficiencies enabled by the company's unique combination of NAND flash memory, firmware and controller technology for flash management.

According to market research firm Web-Feet Research, the SSD market is expected to reach US$570 million in 2007 and increase to US$6.6 billion by 2010 – a compound annual growth rate of over 120 percent.

Samsung expects to begin mass producing its 128GB SSD in the first half of 2008.



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