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Technology Stocks : WDC/Sandisk Corporation
WDC 163.00-0.4%Nov 7 3:59 PM EST
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To: NY Stew who wrote (8108)11/14/1999 7:27:00 PM
From: Artslaw  Read Replies (3) of 60323
 
Why is there so little discussion on this thread concerning the multi-level cell and Sandisk's superior IP in this area?

I think there has been plenty of talk with regard to Sandisk's superior IP in general. For multi-level cell technology specifically, Intel has been doing it for a couple years (StrataFlash), so I don't think Sandisk has any stranglehold there.

Just to be contrary, let me say that the multi-level cell is no big deal (besides being technically "cool"). What people may not realize is that it takes a whole lot of additional circuitry (better sense amps for reads, better write-verification circuitry, etc.) to support multi-level cells. It also makes the reliability inherently more problematic (since you have less voltage range to call a "1").

All in all, it doesn't reduce the cost/bit by as much as you would hope and always runs the risk of reducing your working-product yield (which can then make the cost/bit increase!). It can also increase your write-time, requiring additional clever tricks (at the cost of silicon space) to hide the fact. Thus, what you thought was a doubling in capacity for the same silicon space turns out to be considerably less than 2X (I don't have any numbers--talk to Eli!).

I'd say the double density is a good idea, but don't think it is that great for the bottom line--just keeping the forward progress.

Steve
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