Tablet PC how to choose embedded memory

With the current maturity of tablet computers, there are more and more applications running on it, and the amount of data that needs to be processed is also increasing. These all put forward higher requirements for the embedded storage used on it. "Integrated Circuit Application" magazine recently interviewed Mr. Wang Jingyang, the embedded storage product director of Shenzhen Jiangbolong Electronics Co., Ltd., a leading domestic provider of embedded memory solutions, and asked him to introduce the choice of embedded memory for tablet computers.

"Integrated Circuit Application": For tablet PCs, what are the main concerns when choosing different embedded storage solutions?

Wang Jingyang: To choose a suitable embedded storage solution, at least the following aspects must be considered:

1. Function. Whether the functionality of the product is complete. For example, the current mainstream standard of eMMC products is V4.41. At this time, you should not choose V4.4 or even V4.3 products. Improper selection will bring many hidden dangers and deficiencies of products due to the lack of functionality.

2. Performance. Does the selected embedded storage product have an advantage in performance? Is there enough selling point or value? Take Jiangbo Long's FORESEE brand tSD product as an example. It adopts NAND Flash TSOP 48pin package and uses SD2.0 interface protocol. The reading speed is particularly fast. We tested on the mainstream tablet computer chip platform. When starting 59 applications, it takes at least 43 seconds to complete the boot using MLC NAND Flash, while the tablet using tSD for storage takes 28 seconds to complete the boot. , The reading speed has increased by almost 50%. In the promotion of tablet computers, it was difficult to see storage as the main selling point in the past. In fact, the boot speed has a great impact on the customer's experience, and it can be used as a new powerful selling point.

3. Stability. With the continuous upgrade of the Android operating system, from 2.3 to 4.0, it will reach 5.0 in the second half of this year, which poses more challenges to storage. For example, the storage space in the startup interval is required to be very stable, better multi-tasking operation is required (random high-speed read and write speeds and high IOPS are required), more effective bad block management, and Flash has a longer service life. In order to pursue low cost, some customers of low-end tablet computers will use MicroSD cards made of external TLC to place the code, but because the actual service life of TLC Flash is only a few hundred times, and the compatibility and stability are relatively poor, so Manufacturers often suffer from defective products returned by end customers or quality complaints. Therefore, it is recommended that tablet PC manufacturers try to use high-quality eMMC or embedded storage solutions with built-in controllers (such as tSD / fSD products provided by Longsys), or high-quality MLC NAND with good compatibility with the main chip platform.

4. Cost performance. Market competition is fierce, and cost is critical to product market performance. The explicit cost is mainly the market price of the chip, while the hidden cost includes, for example, the speed of product launch, the speed of delivery, and the proportion of defective products. Domestic manufacturers should choose appropriate storage products according to their product positioning.

"Integrated Circuit Application": At present, the cost of solid state drives is relatively high. What do you think of the prospects for the application of solid state drives for tablet manufacturers of local brands?

Wang Jingyang: 2012 can be said to be the first year of the solid-state hard drive market explosion. According to IHS iSuppli forecast, solid-state hard drive sales will grow from 17.3 million units in 2011 to 45.9 million units in 2012. The current market price of SSDs is USD1.2 ～ 1.5 / GB. By the end of 2012, we predict that it will be lower than USD1 / GB. As the price decreases, the customer base will gradually penetrate into the consumer electronics field from industrial applications and high-end business applications. However, in the tablet market, due to technical limitations, only a chip platform with x86 hardware architecture will support the SATA interface of the solid state drive. Jiangbolong's MSATA SSD modules or half slim SSD modules for high-end tablet products using Windows 7 system are in mass production and shipped. Since Intel is in the early stage of Windows 8 system promotion, it will choose a limited number of partners. For domestic tablet manufacturers, it is unlikely that SSDs and SSD modules will be widely used this year. The main market of solid-state drives in China this year is still mainly notebook computers, network servers, industrial applications and high-end installed market.

"Integrated Circuit Application": Can ordinary tablet PCs directly use WiFi MicroSD card to add WiFi function directly? Do you need to make some adjustments in software and hardware design?

Wang Jingyang: Wifi MicroSD card is the first fully integrated Wifi MicroSD solution launched by Jiang Bolong in the world. Due to the standard MicroSD 11mmx15mm packaging structure, built-in Wifi chip, peripheral circuits and antennas, no hardware is required for mobile phones or tablets The changes can be used. The hardware uses a standard SDIO interface, which requires the main chip to support related hardware drivers. In addition, manufacturers need to consider the shielding problem of the MicroSD card slot as much as possible, reducing the metal shielding around the MicroSD card slot to make the signal stronger and more stable.

"Integrated Circuit Application": Compared with other embedded storage product providers, what are the different characteristics of Jiangbolong's solution?

Wang Jingyang: In general, we hope to find a good balance between the high-quality products and competitive prices required by customers, while providing customers with flexible embedded storage solutions. Jiangbolong currently mainly provides standard eMMC V4.41 products, tSD / fSD, and mSATA and half-slim modules with SATA interface. eMMC products use Samsung's high-quality MLC Flash Good Die wafers and Hui Rong (SMI) control chips. The products were first released in China in August last year and have been mass-produced on a large scale after about half a year. For eMMC products, product stability and compatibility are very important. On this basis, we will also provide more competitive prices and timely stable supply. fSD / tSD is an innovative storage product exclusively provided by Longsys. The fSD product adopts the FBGA 169 package which is fully hardware compatible with eMMC. The customer's hardware does not need to be changed. The software protocol only needs the main chip to support the SD card startup method. fSD has better cost performance than eMMC. tSD (TSOP SD) has built-in MLC NAND Flash and controller, adopts SD2.0 protocol, the main chip no longer has to worry about the conversion and compatibility of NAND Flash, and tSD supports Jiangbolong ’s exclusive MLC / SLC interval conversion technology. The default SLC enhancement area is used to store the core code program, making the tablet system more stable and reliable. We have also applied for patent authorization related to tSD products at home and abroad. The market price of tSD is close to that of MLC Flash in TSOP package, but its performance is comparable to eMMC. At present, almost all mainstream flat chip manufacturers have successfully verified tSD products. Due to the NAND Flash standard TSOP48 package, the end customer can use it smoothly as long as the hardware compatibility design of tSD is done in the product hardware. The product is already in mass production and is very popular with customers.

"Integrated Circuit Application": In what areas will your next-generation embedded storage product development achieve performance improvement?

Wang Jingyang: The brand of Jiangbolong's embedded storage products is FORESEE, fore is forward, and see is to see. We expect our products to be forward-looking and creative to meet the in-depth needs of customers. We have a core philosophy of "We change for customers". Our next-generation embedded storage products will further consider how to reduce the changes in software and hardware of main chip platform manufacturers and customers. Second, we must provide more cost-effective products. We will continue to improve the level of eMMC / tSD / fSD process technology to reduce procurement costs for end customers. At the same time, the market demand for mainstream capacity is transitioning from 4GB to 8GB, 16GB, we will also increase support for high-capacity products. Third, according to customer needs, we will further provide enhanced features, such as encryption, data protection, further increase random read and write speeds, improve IOPS indicators and so on. Fourth, we will continue to develop "NAND + X" products in depth, and we will create them according to customer needs. We will customize other more valuable embedded products for core customers based on the actual needs of customers, such as further improving the current airDisk, 3G SD card and other products, and further providing other embedded storage products in more packaging forms, etc. .

"Integrated Circuit Application": Compared with the major chip manufacturers in the international Flash industry, how do domestic storage companies such as Jiangbolong provide customers with unique values?

Wang Jingyang: What strength should we prepare for embedded storage? According to our view, it includes at least the following four aspects: first, resources, including Flash sources, controllers, packaging and testing, and industry chain integration; second, technology, including how to provide high quality, low cost, flexible design, and mass production Products; third, patents and innovation; fourth, services, especially how to provide cost-effective products, and how to provide customers with on-site support in a timely and flexible manner. As an embedded storage application, in addition to having good Flash resource support, it is important how to take advantage of Flash's application technology and how to solve the complex client-side compatibility and product performance and stability issues. Jiangbo Long Electronics has more than 150 R & D engineers. For more than ten years, it has in-depth involvement in various flash technologies and products and large-scale mass production experience. Over the years, it has applied for 242 Flash-related patents. Behind many of our innovative products It is the result of years of application technology accumulation. The embedded storage market is huge, and our products are more targeted at some target markets than the entire storage market. As a domestic manufacturer, we can better understand the needs of customers than foreign chip manufacturers, have faster decision-making speed and execution efficiency, and can solve customers' actual problems in a timely manner.