Chinese flash memory giant Yangtze Memory Technologies Corp (YMTC) has made a small technological leap in its chip design architecture, thanks to closer ties with domestic chip tool suppliers, despite Washington’s efforts to slow the country’s semiconductor progress, according to an analysis report by Canadian research firm TechInsights.
A 512Gb triple-level cell (TLC) memory chip, containing 160 active layers, was found inside a solid-state drive (SSD) branded ZhiTai TiPlus, a consumer brand of YMTC. The chip adopted the latest design structure, dubbed Xtacking4.0, according to TechInsights.
This means that YMTC has narrowed the gap with advanced products on the market in terms of “bit density” due to the hybrid wafer bonding structure and other improvements, TechInsights analyst Jeongdong Choe said in the report. “The bit density seems very advanced compared to quad-level cell (QLC) chips,” Choe noted.
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NAND, ubiquitous in smartphones and other consumer electronics, is nonvolatile flash memory that can store data even when not connected to a power source.
The memory industry has turned to multi-level cells to reduce costs and increase capacity. TLC NAND stores 3 bits per cell and often has better performance and longer life than QLC SSDs, but TLC NAND stores less data and costs more.
YMTC 3D Flash Memory Chip. Photo: Brochure alt=YMTC 3D Flash Memory Chip. Photo: Brochure>
YMTC plans to combine Xtacking4.0 technology using more than 200 layers, according to TechInsights.
However, YMTC has been subject to export restrictions by the United States, meaning it cannot upgrade its 3D NAND wafer factories with advanced semiconductor equipment and tools from foreign suppliers.
“With the new Xtacking4.0 technology, YMTC seems to have found a way to overcome the ban for a while,” the note added.
YMTC did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
The latest chip design is a sign that YMTC still faces challenges from tough U.S. sanctions, even as it seeks closer ties with domestic toolmakers including Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment and Naura Technology Group in a bid to maintain service for its installed foreign manufacturing tools.
China’s top memory chipmaker has seen a surge in demand for its flash memory products, which have become the top choice for local customers, particularly those working on government and military projects.
As the Wuhan-based company continues to make breakthroughs in cutting-edge products, it has become a favorite supplier for government-related projects in China, the Post previously reported.
Despite the progress, YMTC still relies heavily on imported tools made by American companies such as Lam Research and the Dutch company ASML.
Without the service provided by foreign companies, its production has suffered delays. YMTC’s Wuhan plant earlier this year halted production due to a machine failure. forcing the company to look for spare parts in other factories.
YMTC plans to combine Xtacking4.0 technology using more than 200 layers, according to TechInsights. Photo: Shutterstock Images alt=YMTC plans to combine Xtacking4.0 technology using more than 200 layers, according to TechInsights. Photo: Shutterstock Images>
In 2023, YMTC launched an ambitious program called Wudangshan, which aimed to produce advanced 3D NAND chips solely with domestically purchased equipment.
However, the effort failed to achieve the intended results and is currently dormant, according to professionals familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified.
Founded in 2016, YMTC was a latecomer to the global flash memory industry but quickly narrowed the technological gap with its peers and was at one point reported to be being considered by Apple as a potential supplier.
YMTC surprised the industry in 2022, when TechInsights said the Chinese company had produced a “232-layer NAND flash,” a breakthrough that at the time Put it ahead of the global giants such as Micron Technology, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.
Two weeks after that report was published, Washington YMTC added to its export blacklist over national security concerns, even though the company said it made efforts to comply with U.S. inspections at the site.
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