Microchip Introduces High-Performance PCIe® Gen 5 SSD Controller Family

Rhea-AI Summary

Microchip Technology (Nasdaq: MCHP) has introduced the Flashtec NVMe 5016 SSD controller, a 16-channel PCIe Gen 5 NVMe controller designed to meet growing data center demands. Key features include:

- High performance: Over 14 GB/s sequential read and 3.5M IOs/s random read
- Power efficiency: 2.5 GB of data per watt
- Advanced security: Secure Boot, dual signature authentication, and FIPS 140-3 Level 2 compliance
- Flexibility: Support for QLC, TLC, and MLC NAND technologies
- Enhanced reliability: Advanced error correction and RAID techniques

The controller is optimized for AI, cloud computing, and enterprise applications, offering increased bandwidth, security, and flexibility for data centers.

Positive

• Introduction of high-performance PCIe Gen 5 SSD controller for enterprise and data center applications
• Sequential read performance of over 14 GB per second
• Random read performance of 3.5M IOs per second
• Power-efficient design delivering more than 2.5 GB of data per watt
• Advanced security features including Secure Boot and FIPS 140-3 Level 2 compliance
• Support for latest NAND technologies (QLC, TLC, MLC)
• Enhanced error correction and data protection features

Negative

• None.

Insights

Tech Expert

Microchip's new Flashtec NVMe 5016 SSD controller represents a significant leap in data center technology. With PCIe Gen 5 support and 16 channels, it's poised to meet the growing demands of AI and cloud computing. Key highlights include:

• 14 GB/s sequential read performance
• 3.5M IOs per second for random reads
• Impressive 2.5 GB per watt efficiency

The controller's advanced ECC and support for QLC, TLC and MLC NAND technologies ensure compatibility with the latest memory solutions. Its security features, including FIPS 140-3 Level 2 compliance, address critical data protection needs. This product could significantly boost Microchip's position in the competitive SSD controller market.

Financial Analyst

This product launch could positively impact Microchip's revenue stream in the data center solutions segment. The AI boom and cloud service expansion are driving demand for high-performance storage solutions, positioning Microchip to capitalize on this growth. Key financial implications:

• Potential for increased market share in the enterprise SSD controller space
• Opportunity to expand partnerships with major NAND suppliers like Solidigm, KIOXIA and Micron
• Possible margin improvement due to advanced 6 nm process technology

However, investors should monitor competitive pressures and adoption rates in the enterprise SSD market. The product's success will depend on Microchip's ability to leverage its relationships with OEMs and cloud service providers.

Market Research Analyst

The launch of Microchip's Flashtec NVMe 5016 controller aligns with key market trends:

• AI and ML acceleration: Growing demand for high-bandwidth, low-latency storage
• Cloud computing expansion: Need for more efficient and powerful data center infrastructure
• Data security concerns: Increasing focus on robust security features in enterprise storage

The product's flexibility and scalability cater to the evolving needs of data centers, potentially giving Microchip an edge in this competitive market. However, success will depend on factors such as pricing strategy, time-to-market and ecosystem support. The positive reactions from industry partners like Solidigm and Longsys suggest strong potential for market acceptance.

Flashtec® NVMe® 5016 controllers are optimized to manage growing enterprise and data center workloads

CHANDLER, Ariz., Aug. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Artificial Intelligence (AI) boom and rapid expansion of cloud-based services are accelerating the need for data centers to be more powerful, efficient and highly reliable. To meet the growing market demands, Microchip Technology (Nasdaq: MCHP) has released the Flashtec® NVMe® 5016 Solid State Drive (SSD) controller. The 16-channel, PCIe® Gen 5 NVM Express® (NVMe) controller is designed to offer higher levels of bandwidth, security and flexibility.

“Data center technology must evolve to keep up with the significant advancements occurring in AI and Machine Learning (ML). Our fifth generation Flashtec NVMe controller is designed to lead the market in fulfilling the increased need for high-performance, power-optimized SSDs,” said Pete Hazen, vice president of Microchip’s data center solutions business unit. “The NVMe 5016 Flashtec PCIe controller can be deployed in data centers to facilitate effective and secure cloud computing and business-critical applications.”

The Flashtec NVMe 5016 controller is designed to support enterprise applications such as online transaction processing, financial data processing, database mining and other applications that are sensitive to latency and performance. Additionally, it serves growing AI needs with higher throughput for reading and writing large data sets used in model training and inference processing and provides the high bandwidth necessary to move large volumes of data quickly between storage and compute resources. At sequential read performance of more than 14 GB per second, the NVMe 5016 controller maximizes the usage of valuable compute resources in traditional and AI-accelerated servers under demanding workloads.

In addition to supporting the latest standard NVMe host interface, the NVMe 5016 controller is designed for a high random read performance of 3.5M IOs per second and a power profile focused on power-sensitive data center needs, delivering more than 2.5 GB of data per watt. The NVMe 5016 controller utilizes advanced node technologies and includes power management features like automatic idling of processor cores and autonomous power reduction capabilities. To support the latest Flash memory, including Quad-Level Cell (QLC), Triple-Level Cell (TLC) and Multi-Level Cell (MLC) NAND technologies, the NVMe 5016 controller provides strong Error Correction Code (ECC). All Flash management operations are performed on-chip, consuming negligible host processing and memory resources.

“Microchip’s latest Flashtec PCIe controller, utilizing advanced 6 nm process technology, addresses the power optimization requirements for demanding applications. Its flexible architecture delivers the processing power needed for cutting-edge AI workloads in a compact package,” said Greg Matson, senior vice president of strategic planning and marketing for Solidigm. “The Flashtec PCIe controller’s quality and reliability interop very well with Solidigm’s QLC NAND, ideal for meeting the increasing demand for data-intensive workloads such as AI and ML.”

“Longsys and Microchip have cultivated a strong relationship to drive the rapidly expanding enterprise SSD market,” said Huabo Cai, chairman and CEO of Longsys. “Microchip’s reliable and flexible architecture of the PCIe Flashtec products offers an excellent foundation for Longsys’ enterprise solutions with multiple advanced NAND Flash, delivering efficiency and reliability to standard or customized high-performance enterprise SSDs.”

The NVMe 5016 controller’s flexibility and scalability help reduce the total cost of ownership as advanced virtualization capabilities like single root I/O virtualization (SR-IOV), multiple physical functions and multiple virtual functions per physical function maximize the PCIe resource utilization. The consistent, programmable platform gives developers who plan to utilize Flexible Data Placement (FDP) in their SSDs the control to maximize the performance, efficiency and reliability of Flash resources on the SSD. Coupled with Microchip’s Credit Engine for dynamic allocation of resources, the NVMe 5016 controller enables reliable on-demand cloud services.

“We congratulate Microchip on its latest generation of Flashtec PCIe controllers,” said Maitry Dholakia, vice president of memory products for KIOXIA America, Inc. “The ongoing innovation of ECC in Flashtec controllers, along with their flexible architecture, enables compatibility with our advanced NAND flash products.”

"Congratulations to Microchip on the launch of their new NVMe SSD controllers,” said Dan Loughmiller, director of NAND Product Line Management and Applications Engineering at Micron. “As an industry-leading NAND supplier, our collaboration within the data center storage ecosystem enables customers who want to couple our packaged NAND solutions with their new controllers. We are excited that our work together continues to deliver compatibility with our NAND.”

As the volume of data storage expands, the risk of security threats correspondingly increases, underscoring the imperative for robust and reliable security measures. The Flashtec NVMe 5016 controller is designed to deliver enterprise-level integrity and dependability with comprehensive data protection, uninterrupted operations and safeguarding of confidential information.

Security features have been integrated into the NVMe 5016 controller to help maintain the integrity of both firmware and data throughout its lifecycle—from factory inception to retirement. These features encompass Secure Boot with a hardware Root-of-Trust, dual signature authentication to facilitate system OEM or end-user verification, support for various security standards through diverse authentication algorithms, user data protection with encryption for both data-in-transit (link level) and data-at-rest (media level) and sophisticated key management practices. These practices adhere to stringent security protocols, including the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-3 Level 2 and the Trusted Computing Group (TCG) Opal standards.

In terms of data integrity and reliability, the controller features overlapping end-to-end data protection with NVMe Protection Information (NVMe PI) and single error correction and double error detection (SECDED) ECC, and advanced error correction through Adaptive LDPC. It also includes failover recovery mechanisms utilizing Redundant Array of Independent Disk (RAID) techniques, further fortifying the resilience of the storage system.

Visit the Data Center Solutions page on Microchip’s website to learn more about the company’s full portfolio of data center hardware, software and development tools.

Development Tools
The Flashtec NVMe 5016 PCIe Gen 5 SSD controller is supported by an ecosystem of tools including the PM35160-KIT and PMT35161-KIT evaluation boards in various NAND options, a Software Development Kit (SDK) with PCIe-compliant front-end firmware, Microchip’s ChipLink tool for advanced debug and more.

Pricing and Availability
Microchip Flashtec NVMe 5016 controllers are available for sampling to qualified customers. Contact your Microchip salesperson for details or visit https://www.microchip.com/en-us/about/global-sales-and-distribution to find a listing of sales offices and locations near you.

Resources
High-res images available through Flickr or editorial contact (feel free to publish):
• Application image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/microchiptechnology/53875293437/sizes/l/

About Microchip Technology:
Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of smart, connected and secure embedded control and processing solutions. Its easy-to-use development tools and comprehensive product portfolio enable customers to create optimal designs which reduce risk while lowering total system cost and time to market. The company’s solutions serve approximately 123,000 customers across the industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace and defense, communications and computing markets. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com.

Note: The Microchip name and logo, the Microchip logo are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. Flashtec is a trademark of Microchip Technology Inc. in the U.S.A. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

Editorial Contact:	Reader Inquiries:
Amber Liptai	1-888-624-7435
480-792-5047
amber.liptai@microchip.com

FAQ

What is the new product Microchip (MCHP) has introduced for data centers?

Microchip has introduced the Flashtec NVMe 5016 SSD controller, a 16-channel PCIe Gen 5 NVMe controller designed for high-performance enterprise and data center applications.

What are the key performance metrics of the Flashtec NVMe 5016 controller from Microchip (MCHP)?

The Flashtec NVMe 5016 controller offers sequential read performance of over 14 GB per second, random read performance of 3.5M IOs per second, and power efficiency of more than 2.5 GB of data per watt.

How does Microchip's (MCHP) new SSD controller address security concerns?

The Flashtec NVMe 5016 controller includes advanced security features such as Secure Boot with hardware Root-of-Trust, dual signature authentication, and compliance with FIPS 140-3 Level 2 and TCG Opal standards.

What types of NAND technologies does Microchip's (MCHP) new Flashtec NVMe 5016 controller support?

The Flashtec NVMe 5016 controller supports the latest Flash memory technologies, including Quad-Level Cell (QLC), Triple-Level Cell (TLC), and Multi-Level Cell (MLC) NAND.