Samsung AM9C1 Automotive PCIe 4.0 256GB SSD Based on 8th-Gen V-NAND with 5nm Controller and SLC Mode Option

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. announced it has developed an industry’s 1st PCIe 4.0 automotive SSD based on 8th-Gen vertical NAND (V-NAND).

With speeds and enhanced reliability, the auto SSD, AM9C1 is a solution for on-device AI capabilities in automotive applications.

With about 50% improved power efficiency compared to its predecessor, the AM991, the 256GB auto SSD will deliver sequential RW speeds of up to 4,400MB/s and 400MB/s, respectively.

“We are collaborating with global autonomous vehicle makers and providing high-performance, high-capacity automotive products,” said Hyunduk Cho, VP and head, automotive group, memory business. “Samsung will continue to lead the Physical AI ⁽¹⁾ memory market that encompasses applications from autonomous driving to robotics technologies.”

Built on the company’s 5nm controller and providing a SLC Namespace ⁽²⁾ feature, the auto SSD AM9C1 demonstrates high performance for easier access to large files. By switching from its original TLC state to SLC mode, users can enjoy boosted RW speeds of up to 4,700MB/s and 1,400MB/s, respectively, while also benefiting from the added reliability of SLC SSDs.

The 256GB AM9C1 is currently being sampled by key partners and is expected to begin mass production by the end of 2024. The firm plans to offer multiple storage capacities for the AM9C1 ranging from 128GB to 2TB to address the growing demand for high-capacity automotive SSDs. The 2TB model, which is set to offer an industry’s largest capacity in this product category, is scheduled to start mass production early in 2025.

Through board-level tests, the company’s auto SSD satisfies the automotive semiconductor quality standard AEC-Q100 ⁽³⁾ Grade 2, ensuring stable performance over a temperature range of -40°C to 105°C.

To further meet the high standards of the automotive industry in terms of durability and stability, Samsung also conducts various quality assurance processes. The company received ASPICE CL3 authentication ⁽⁴⁾ for its UFS 3.1 product in March 2024.

In an effort to obtain CSMS certification based on ISO/SAE 21434, ⁽⁵⁾ it will continue to actively enhance the technological reliability and stability of its automotive solutions.

“ASPICE and ISO/SAE 21434 certifications are milestones that affirm the reliability and stability of our technology,” said Hwaseok Oh, EVP, memory business. “Beyond these achievements, Samsung will continue to elevate its product stability and quality by consistently providing the best solution to key partners.”

⁽¹⁾ AI such as robots and autonomous vehicles that perceives and interacts with the physical world through sensors.
⁽²⁾ Provides SLC partition with better performance and reliability than TLC, allowing users to configure it in accordance to data type. However, when switched to SLC mode capacity decreases to 1/3 of the TLC.
⁽³⁾ Global standard that Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) has established for the reliability evaluation procedures and criteria for automotive electronic components.
⁽⁴⁾ Automotive Software Process Improvement and Capability dEtermination (ASPICE) is a software development standard developed and distributed by the German Automotive Association (VDA) that evaluates the reliability and competence of automotive component manufacturers’ software development processes. It is divided into Capability Level (CL) stages 0 to 5, with CL3 meaning that an organization has established a systematic process and can effectively execute it.
⁽⁵⁾ Cyber Security Management System certification is an international standard designed to enhance cybersecurity in the automotive industry based on ISO/SAE 21434, covering cybersecurity processes and requirements from design to development, evaluation, and mass production.