Toshiba Develops World's First 256Gb, 48-layer BiCS FLASH™

--Innovative 3D Stacked Structure Boosts Capacity and Performance--

TOKYO — (BUSINESS WIRE) — August 3, 2015 — Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO:6502) today unveiled the new generation of BiCS FLASH™, a three-dimensional (3D) stacked cell structure flash memory^*1. The new device is the world’s first^*2 256-gigabit (32gigabytes) 48-layer BiCS device and also deploys industry-leading 3-bit-per-cell (triple-level cell, TLC) technology. Sample shipments will start in September.

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Toshiba World's First 256Gb, 48-layer BiCS FLASH(TM) (Photo: Business Wire)

BiCS FLASH^TMis based on a leading-edge 48-layer stacking process that surpasses the capacity of mainstream two dimensional NAND Flash memory while enhancing write/erase reliability endurance and boosting write speeds. The new 256Gb device is suited for diverse applications, including consumer SSD, smartphones, tablets and memory cards, and enterprise SSD for data centers.

Since announcing prototype BiCS FLASH^TM technology in June 2007, Toshiba has continued development towards optimization for mass production. To meet further growth in the Flash memory market in 2016 and beyond, Toshiba is proactively promoting migration to BiCS FLASH™ by rolling out a product portfolio that emphasizes large capacity applications, such as SSD.

Toshiba has a long-standing commitment to flash memory, and is currently readying for mass production of BiCS FLASH™ in a new Fab2 at Yokkaichi Operations, its production site for NAND flash memories. Fab2 will be completed in the first half of 2016.

*1: A structure stacking Flash memory cells vertically on a silicon substrate to realize significant density improvements over planar NAND Flash memory, where cells are formed on the silicon substrate.
*2: As of August 4, 2015. Toshiba　survey.
* BiCS FLASH is a trademark of Toshiba Corporation.

About Toshiba
Toshiba Corporation, a Fortune Global 500 company, channels world-class capabilities in advanced electronic and electrical product and systems into five strategic business domains: Energy & Infrastructure, Community Solutions, Healthcare Systems & Services, Electronic Devices & Components, and Lifestyles Products & Services. Guided by the principles of The Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group, “Committed to People, Committed to the Future”, Toshiba promotes global operations towards securing “Growth Through Creativity and Innovation”, and is contributing to the achievement of a world in which people everywhere live safe, secure and comfortable society.

Founded in Tokyo in 1875, today’s Toshiba is at the heart of a global network of over 590 consolidated companies employing over 200,000 people worldwide, with annual sales surpassing 6.5 trillion yen (US$63 billion).
To find out more about Toshiba, visit www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm

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