<\/p>\n
More PCIe performance<\/h3>\n
In 2021, the transition to PCIe Gen4 was in full swing, while some manufacturers were already looking toward 2022 by making IP breakthroughs in Gen5. At 32GT\/s, data rate specifications for PCIe Gen5 are twice Gen4 (16GT\/s), enabling either double the overall performance, or offering similar performance using half as many lanes as PCIe Gen4. In September 2021, Phison announced it would begin shipping Gen5 platforms<\/a> to partners so they can start product development around these superior specs \u2013 and lead their respective categories in Gen5.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A host of commercial products have been introduced based on NVMe SSDs<\/a>, from desktops for gaming to enterprise storage for AI\/ML. About 80% of client\/consumer and 50% of enterprise SSDs are now NVMe, and these numbers are growing. Hyperscalers like Facebook are building ultra-efficient data centers<\/a> using NVMe technology. Increasing adoption of NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF) are enabling enterprises to provision very high-performance, low-latency storage networks with flash devices shared among servers. NVMe-oF is ideal for workloads like AI\/ML, scientific computing, analytics, streaming, and others that demand sustained performance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The rise of ransomware and other cyberattacks has put pressure on data storage and protection technologies to beef up device security, and NAND is no exception. In January 2021, Phison unveiled secure SSDs<\/a> with FIPS 140-2 Certification, and others followed. Hardware-based encryption increasingly makes sense, and in May, Cigent unveiled the world\u2019s first line of self-defending storage devices<\/a> with built-in cybersecurity to protect against ransomware, data theft, and malicious attack. Cigent\u2019s secure SSDs make it virtually impossible for critical data and applications to be accessed by unauthorized sources.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Enterprise-grade SSDs are optimized for longer life than consumer-grade, but a large underserved market emerged for individuals engaged in highly write-intensive applications like content creation, animation, special effects, code compiling, and cryptomining. In May, ScaleFlux updated its Computational Storage Drive (CSD)<\/a> by adding Micron\u2019s QLC NAND flash, which it says provides endurance similar to TLC and up to four times other QLC SSDs. Phison developed a collection of Write Intensive SSDs<\/a> which, in the top-of-the-line configuration, delivered endurance of 2000 days, likely longer than the lifespan of the PC it\u2019s installed in.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The big NAND news of last year was that SK Hynix would acquire Intel\u2019s memory and storage business for $9 billion, with regulatory approval expected this year (still waiting on China\u2019s OK). In August 2021, the South Korean chip leader announced<\/a> this division would become a separate, standalone company based in the U.S. Insiders expect that this move to create a new brand is intended to increase its North American presence and expand its sales and marketing channels, which have primarily been OEMs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 5G wireless technology is expanding, and driving seemingly unlimited demand for NAND storage. With 5G connecting edge devices to cloud platforms, there is a need for increased capacity and performance in both local and cloud storage resources. 5G automotive technology requires high-speed transmission, as does cloud-based gaming, cloud services such as mobile video streaming. This demand, plus a robust smartphone market, built up a worldwide appetite for NAND, causing prices to rise. But what goes up must come down, with some analysts predicting<\/a> that prices should begin to fall and level out in 2022. Micron, on the other hand, expects that NAND shortages will persist<\/a> into next year. Will consumer demand for smarter technology in mobile devices, cars, and appliances \u2013 plus enterprise demand for filling data centers \u2013 continue to rise in 2022?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/phisonblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Phison-Enters-High-Speed-IC-Market-\u2013-Solves-Motherboard-Compatibility-Problems-Caused-by-PCIe-5.0-High-Speed-Interface.jpg\")
<\/a>More NVMe<\/h3>\n
More security<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/phisonblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Data-at-Rest-Protection-for-Corporate-Security.jpg\")
<\/a>More endurance<\/h3>\n
More SKintel<\/h3>\n
More NAND<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/phisonblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Phison-Second-Generation-Pro-Gaming-SSD-Is-the-Real-Deal.jpg\")