Phison Introduces E29T Gen 4 Controller for Mainstream Consumer SSDs

At FMS 2024, Phison gave us the standard updates on their consumer flash options. The E31T Gen 5 mainstream controller has already been seen at just a few tradeshows beginning with Computex 2023, whereas the USB4 native flash controller for high-end PSSDs was unveiled at CES 2024. The brand new resolution being demonstrated was the E29T Gen 4 mainstream DRAM-less controller. Phison believes that there’s nonetheless efficiency to be eked out on the Gen 4 platform with a low-cost DRAM-less resolution.

Phison NVMe SSD Controller Comparability
	E31T	E29T	E27T	E26	E18
Market Section	Mainstream Client			Excessive-Finish Client
Manufacturing Course of	7nm	12nm	12nm	12nm	12nm
CPU Cores	2x Cortex R5	1x Cortex R5	1x Cortex R5	2x Cortex R5	3x Cortex R5
Error Correction	seventh Gen LDPC	seventh Gen LDPC	fifth Gen LDPC	fifth 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 Model	NVMe 2.0	NVMe 2.0	NVMe 2.0	NVMe 2.0	NVMe 1.4
NAND Channels, Interface Velocity	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 Capability	8 TB	8 TB	8 TB	8 TB	8 TB
Sequential Learn	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 Learn IOPS	1500k	1200k	1200k	1500k	1000k
4KB Random Write IOPS	1500k	1200k	1200k	2000k	1000k

In comparison with the E27T, the important thing replace is using a more recent LDPC engine that allows higher SSD lifespan in addition to compatibility with the newest QLC flash, together with further energy optimizations.

The corporate additionally had a U21 USB4 PSSD reference design (full with a MagSafe-compatible casing) on show, together with the standard CrystalDiskMark benchmark outcomes. We got to grasp that PSSDs primarily based on the U21 controller are very near transport into retail.

Phison has been recognized for taking the lead in introducing SSD controllers primarily based on the newest and biggest interface choices – be it PCIe 4.0, PCIe 5.0, or USB4. The competitors is often within the type of tier-one distributors choosing their in-house resolution, or Silicon Movement stepping in just a few quarters down the road after the market takes off with a extra power-efficient resolution. With the E29T, Phison is aiming to make sure that they nonetheless have a viable play within the mainstream Gen 4 market with their newest LDPC engine and supporting the very best obtainable NAND flash speeds.