Phison Unveils New SSD Controllers at FMS 2024

At FMS 2024, Phison provided updates on their latest client flash solutions, showcasing advancements in their SSD controller technology. The event highlighted the E31T Gen 5 mainstream controller, which has already made appearances at several tradeshows, including Computex 2023. Additionally, the company introduced a USB4 native flash controller designed for high-end Portable Solid State Drives (PSSDs), as seen at unveiled at CES 2024. A notable new solution demonstrated was the E29T Gen 4 mainstream DRAM-less controller, which Phison believes can still deliver enhanced performance on the Gen 4 platform while maintaining a low-cost structure.

Phison NVMe SSD Controller Comparison

	E31T	E29T	E27T	E26	E18
Market Segment	Mainstream Consumer	High-End Consumer
Manufacturing Process	7nm	12nm	12nm	12nm	12nm
CPU Cores	2x Cortex R5	1x Cortex R5	1x Cortex R5	2x Cortex R5	3x Cortex R5
Error Correction	7th Gen LDPC	7th Gen LDPC	5th Gen LDPC	5th Gen LDPC	4th Gen LDPC
DRAM	No	No	No	DDR4, LPDDR4	DDR4
Host Interface	PCIe 5.0 x4	PCIe 4.0 x4	PCIe 4.0 x4	PCIe 5.0 x4	PCIe 4.0 x4
NVMe Version	NVMe 2.0	NVMe 2.0	NVMe 2.0	NVMe 2.0	NVMe 1.4
NAND Channels, Interface Speed	4 ch, 3600 MT/s	4 ch, 3600 MT/s	4 ch, 3600 MT/s	8 ch, 2400 MT/s	8 ch, 1600 MT/s
Max Capacity	8 TB	8 TB	8 TB	8 TB	8 TB
Sequential Read	10.8 GB/s	7.4 GB/s	7.4 GB/s	14 GB/s	7.4 GB/s
Sequential Write	10.8 GB/s	6.5 GB/s	6.7 GB/s	11.8 GB/s	7.0 GB/s
4KB Random Read IOPS	1500k	1200k	1200k	1500k	1000k
4KB Random Write IOPS	1500k	1200k	1200k	2000k	1000k

Compared to the E27T, the E29T features a newer LDPC engine that enhances SSD lifespan and ensures compatibility with the latest QLC flash technology. This update also includes additional power optimizations, making it a competitive option in the market.

Phison also showcased a U21 USB4 PSSD reference design, which includes a MagSafe-compatible casing. The company indicated that PSSDs based on the U21 controller are nearing retail availability, as evidenced by the CrystalDiskMark benchmark results presented during the event.

Phison has established a reputation for leading the introduction of SSD controllers that leverage the latest interface technologies, including PCIe 4.0, PCIe 5.0, and USB4. The competitive landscape typically includes tier-one vendors who prefer in-house solutions, while companies like Silicon Motion often enter the market later with more power-efficient alternatives. With the E29T, Phison aims to maintain a strong presence in the mainstream Gen 4 market, leveraging their latest LDPC engine and supporting the highest available NAND flash speeds.

https://www.anandtech.com/show/21517/phison-introduces-e29t-gen-4-controller-for-mainstream-client-ssds
https://www.anandtech.com/show/21517/phison-introduces-e29t-gen-4-controller-for-mainstream-client-ssds

https://www.anandtech.com/show/21517/phison-introduces-e29t-gen-4-controller-for-mainstream-client-ssds