Just what does “XXnm-class” mean for NAND Flash devices? Why the smoke? Why the mirrors?

Two days ago, I posted a short blog entry on Hynix’s new “20nm-class” 64Gbit NAND Flash devices and received a couple of questions about just what “20nm-class” means. Does it mean 20nm? 29nm? 26nm? 25.5nm? What? Truth is, this is a game that all the memory vendors are starting to play to obfuscate what they’re doing while generating some news coverage. Today, I found an excellent response on Lars-Göran Nilsson’s SemiAccurate blog site. Nilsson writes:

“We're getting a little bit tired of the "XXnm class" game though, as it seems like no-one likes to talk specifics anymore, as it might give their competitors and advantage, or something. We'd presume the new NAND Flash memory chips from Hynix are manufactured using a 26nm manufacturing technology, as the company has previously stated that this is the process it was set to use for NAND Flash memory. Samsung on the other hand is meant to be making its “20nm class” NAND Flash at 27nm, while Intel and Micron has gone for 25nm.”

I also found this response written by someone with the nom-de-Web name “Rage” in response to Nilsson’s statement that Hynix was first with a 64Gbit device:

"What are you talking about? IM Flash announced theirs a long time ago and has been in volume production for 2 quarters. UBM techinsights had it's first analysis done on this chip in February. Samsung and Hynix have both announced 20nm class, yet no one has seen their chip or a product in it. IM flash's has been available for the world to see for 6 months.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releas...
That comment is way off. Hynix may appear to be jumping in front of Samsung, but all the other major players are way behind IM Flash.”

If these matters interest you, consider signing up for next week’s Flash Memory summit being held in Silicon Valley. You can sign up for that event here: https://www.expotracshows.com/flashMemory/2010/

Also, Denali Software (now part of Cadence) is shaking things up this year at the Flash Memory Summit! Join us for a night of fun with plenty of drinks to go around and cool tunes to groove to. Boogie Knights will be entertaining you with hip dance moves, bell bottoms, & enough polyester to get you moving on the dance floor!

* Aug 18 - The Loft Bar & Bistro - San Jose, CA http://a.denali.com/5Q