Samsung Electronics Unveils a Revolutionary Automotive SSD
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a leader in advanced memory technology, has proudly unveiled the industry's first PCIe 4.0 automotive SSD. This innovative product utilizes the cutting-edge eighth-generation vertical NAND (V-NAND) technology and stands out for its exceptional speed and unbeatable reliability, making it perfect for enhancing on-device artificial intelligence (AI) in automotive systems.
Boosting Performance and Power Efficiency
The newly introduced automotive SSD, known as AM9C1, presents a significant leap in efficiency, offering about 50% improved power management over its predecessor, the AM991. With a capacity of 256GB, this SSD can achieve remarkable sequential read speeds of up to 4,400 megabytes-per-second (MB/s) and write speeds of 400MB/s.
Partnering with Global Industry Leaders
Hyunduk Cho, Vice President and Head of the Automotive Group at Samsung Electronics’ Memory Business, mentioned: "We are collaborating with global autonomous vehicle manufacturers to provide high-performance automotive products. Samsung is dedicated to leading the Physical AI memory market across a spectrum of applications, from autonomous driving to robotics technologies." This statement reflects Samsung’s strategic commitment to creating custom solutions for the next generation of vehicles.
The Advanced Technology Behind the AM9C1 SSD
The AM9C1 incorporates Samsung’s advanced 5-nanometer controller technology and offers a single-level cell (SLC) Namespace option, which allows for quicker access to large data sets. Users have the flexibility to switch from the standard triple-level cell (TLC) configuration to SLC mode, enhancing read and write speeds even more—up to 4,700MB/s for reads and 1,400MB/s for writes—while maintaining the reliability typical of SLC SSDs.
Plans for Mass Production and Available Storage Capacities
At this stage, the 256GB AM9C1 is being sampled by key partners and is set to enter mass production by the end of the year. In response to the increasing demand for high-capacity automotive SSDs, Samsung plans to offer a variety of storage sizes ranging from 128GB to an impressive 2 terabytes (TB). The 2TB model is expected to be the highest capacity available in its category, with mass production anticipated to begin early next year.
Meeting Automotive Standards for Quality and Safety
The latest auto SSD from Samsung has gone through extensive board-level testing to meet the automotive semiconductor quality standard AEC-Q100 Grade 2. This ensures reliable performance across a wide temperature range of -40°C to 105°C, which is crucial for automotive applications.
To further solidify the product’s credibility in such a demanding industry, Samsung has established comprehensive quality assurance protocols. Earlier this year, the company earned ASPICE CL3 certification for its UFS 3.1 products, reinforcing its commitment to quality in automotive software processes.
Dedication to Cybersecurity and Certification
As part of its ongoing commitment to improvement, Samsung seeks to achieve CSMS certification based on ISO/SAE 21434. This will validate the technological reliability and security of its automotive solutions, which are becoming increasingly vital in today’s technology-driven environment.
Hwaseok Oh, Executive Vice President at Samsung Electronics’ Memory Business, underscored the importance of these certifications, stating: “ASPICE and ISO/SAE 21434 certifications are milestones that affirm the reliability and stability of our technology. Moving forward, Samsung is devoted to enhancing product stability and quality to deliver the best solutions for our key partners.”
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics strives to inspire the world and shape the future through innovative ideas and technologies. The company is reimagining the realm of electronics, covering TVs, smartphones, tablets, and home appliances, all while offering a seamless connected experience through its SmartThings ecosystem in partnership with various collaborators.
Frequently Asked Questions
What features make the AM9C1 SSD suitable for automotive use?
The AM9C1 SSD delivers high performance with speeds up to 4,400 MB/s and is designed to endure extreme temperatures ranging from -40°C to 105°C, aligning with industry automotive standards.
What is the expected production timeline for the AM9C1 SSD?
Currently, the AM9C1 SSD is being sampled and is expected to enter mass production by the end of the year.
How does the AM9C1 improve power efficiency?
This new SSD offers roughly 50% better power efficiency compared to its predecessor, which aids in the overall energy sustainability of automotive systems.
What storage options will be available for the AM9C1 SSD?
Samsung plans to provide storage capacities ranging from 128GB to 2TB, allowing for flexible storage solutions for various automotive applications.
How does Samsung ensure the quality of their automotive products?
Samsung adheres to strict testing and quality assurance processes to meet automotive standards such as AEC-Q100, and has achieved ASPICE CL3 certification for its software reliability.
