Sandisk and SK hynix join forces to standardize High Bandwidth Flash memory
Hmmmm.
Does High bandwidth flash memory (whatever that is) require a controller?
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High bandwidth flash memory, such as SanDisk’s High Bandwidth Flash (HBF), requires a controller. These memory solutions are designed to enable fast, parallel access to multiple high-capacity 3D NAND arrays, providing both high bandwidth and large capacity. To manage this complexity, HBF stacks multiple flash core dies on top of a logic die, and that logic die must act as a controller to simultaneously access and coordinate data flow from multiple dies. This controller handles the large number of concurrent data streams needed to achieve the high bandwidth offered by the technology, which is significantly more complex than a typical SSD controller.
In general, all flash memory storage—whether standard or high-bandwidth—relies on a controller to manage data access, error correction, wear leveling, and communication with the host device. In the case of specialized high bandwidth memory technologies, such as HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) or high bandwidth flash, a sophisticated dedicated memory controller is essential to fully utilize their performance. Thus, yes, high bandwidth flash memory requires a controller, and in advanced implementations like HBF, this controller is a critical component designed to handle parallel, high-speed access across multiple flash arrays. |
