Microsemi Adds NVMe2108 and NVMe2104 Controllers to Flashtec Lineup — Optimized for Enterprise and Data Center SSDs

Microsemi Corporation, a leading semiconductor producer, is announcing the availability of two new Flashtec NVMe SSD controllers, dubbed the NVMe2108 (8-channel) and the NVMe2104 (4-channel).  These mainstream controllers allow leading enterprises and data centers all over the world to acquire cost-effective and power-efficient high capacity solid-state drives (SSDs).  These latest second generation PCIe devices expand Microsemi’s product lineup to mainstream capacity, power and performance while maintaining the architectural consistency and in-demand enterprise feature-set from their current controllers.

According to a recent report from market research firm IDC titled “Worldwide Solid State Drive Forecast, 2015-2019” the industry is steadily transitioning to PCIe-based SSDs, with PCIe-based SSDs to represent some 40% of enterprise SSD revenue by 2019.  Microsemi’s full lineup of second-generation PCIe controllers is set to take full advantage of this growing demand.  Microsemi’s two latest controllers are eight and four channel PCIe NVMe controllers capable of supporting densities of greater than 7TB, a DDR4 interface able to support 8GB and higher, dual-port, SRIS, end-to-end data protection and M.2 form factor support (4-channel version).

According to Derek Dicker, vice president and business unit manager for performance storage at Microsemi, “Our new Flashtec NVMe2108 and NVMe2104 controllers are the latest offerings demonstrating Microsemi’s multi-generational expertise in delivering PCIe NVMe SSD controller products for enterprise, server and data center markets.  These new controllers provide the balance of the same enterprise grade features and a mature enterprise architecture customers have come to expect from us, with lower power and cost structure aligned with the mainstream PCIe segment’s U.2 and M.2 needs.”

Microsemi’s latest devices also enable reuse of firmware with existing Microsemi NVMe controller customers, broadening support and shortening design cycles.  The new Flashtec NVMe2108 and NVMe2104 controllers are optimized for superior mainstream read/write performance.  These controllers perform all flash management operations on-chip, consume minimal host processing and memory resources, and can also be used by customers with host-based Flash Transition Layer (FTL) implementations.

Key features of  Microsemi’s Flashtec NVMe2108 and NVMe2104 controllers include:

• Extending current controller architecture to mainstream eight and four channel PCIe Flash controllers for enterprise and data center markets
• Support for greater than 8GB of DDR4 using standard components
• Eight channel optimized for U.2 and half-height, half-length (HHHL), while the four channel can also support M.2 form factors
• Mature architecture with optimized power and cost for mainstream, while preserving enterprise features such as dual-port, SRIS and end-to-end data protection
• Advanced ECC enables support of current and future generations of Toggle and ONFI NAND
• Programmable architecture enables SSD product differentiation through firmware customizations

Microsemi is currently sampling both the NVMe2108 and NVMe2104 Flashtec controllers with select customers today.  Microsemi will be showcasing its new devices, including product demonstrations, at Flash Memory Summit 2016 from 8/9 though 8/11 in Santa Clara, CA.  You can visit them at booth #213.