Marvell has just announced the first DRAM-less NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) solid state drive (SSD) controller for mass market mobile computing solutions with NANDEdge low-density parity check (LDPC) technology supporting triple-level cell (TLC) and 3D NAND. The small form factor of Marvell’s 88NV1140 and 88NV1120 at just 8x8mm per package allows SSD drives as small as M.2 2230 (30 mm in length), designed for integration into low-z-height tablets, Chrome devices and the upcoming wave of new 2-in-1 hybrid/detachable mobile PC platforms.

In addition, the new controllers can enable the development of an NVMe BGA or SATA BGA SSD running on embedded SRAM through multiple-chip-package (MCP) integration with NAND.

Utilizing 28 nm low-power CMOS process node technology, the 88NV1140 and 88NV1120 controllers support all low power modes (L1.2 for PCIe and DevSlp for SATA devices). Both new solutions share Marvell’s third-generation NANDEdge error-correction technology. By developing single code for NANDEdge, SSD firmware developers are able to leverage one code to the other for an advanced error-correcting technology for data integrity and endurance. In addition, Marvell’s NANDEdge LDPC technology can support 15/16nm TLC and 3D NAND, resulting in low enabling cost of TLC and 3D NAND.

Key features of Marvell’s new 88NV1140 and 88NV1120 include:

• 88NV1140:
  • AHCI and NVMe support over PCIe Gen3x1
  • Fully hardware automated NVMe 1.1b support
  • Low power management (L1.2) design
• 88NV1120:
  • SATA 6Gb/s support
  • SATA DevSlp support
    
• 88NV1140 and 88NV1120 both share:
• Dual core Cortex R5 CPU’s
• Embedded SRAM with hardware accelerators to optimize IOPS performance
• ONFI3 and Toggle2 NAND support
• NANDEdge error-correction: 15nm TLC and 3D NAND support using LDPC technology
• BGA SSD and M.2/2.5 slim form factor support with thermal optimization and small package size
• 28nm low power CMOS process