Micron claims first quad-port SSD for SDVs

Micron Technology, Inc. is now sampling its automotive-grade 4150AT SSD, claiming the industry’s first quad-port that is capable of interfacing with up to four systems on chips (SoCs) to centralize storage in software-defined vehicles (SDVs). Key features include single-root input/output virtualization (SR-IOV), a PCIe Generation 4 interface and ruggedized automotive design.

Until now, SSD solutions were not optimized for the increased architectural efficiency of a centralized system and were implemented locally with each vehicle function, often requiring a PCIe switch to connect a drive to multiple SoCs. In comparison, the 4150AT SSD’s storage capability reduces wiring and eliminates the need for an interface PCIe switching solution for the system or SoCs. The result is improved reliability, and, according to Micron, huge cost savings. In addition, the 4150AT SSD uniquely provides a targeted functional safety ASIL-B capability and ASPICE level 3 qualification.

(Source: Micron Technology, Inc.)

Addressing the industry’s demand for a centralized architecture, the 4150AT is built with 176-layer TLC NAND for enterprise-grade performance and application-specific features. It also provides datacenter-grade security features and robust self-test capabilities for in-vehicle detection issues.

The 4150AT SSD delivers enterprise-class speeds to consumer vehicles, with random read and write speeds above 600,000 I/O operations per second (IOPS) and above 100,000 IOPS, respectively, for a 4-kilobyte transfer. The high performance allows the drive to manage data streams from multiple SoCs concurrently to better multitask to handle diverse systems from advanced driver- assistance systems (ADAS) to in-vehicle infotainment and AI-enabled cabin experiences.

The SSD’s customizable features are tailored to meet the challenges of next-generation automotive architectures. These include multi-port capability, virtualization with the SR-IOV capability for heavy multi-host workloads of up to 64 virtual machines (VMs) and increased security thanks to its unique virtualization that isolates the data of each VM from each other in the hardware.

The 4150AT SSD also offers customizable endurance modes. It is built with TLC NAND but can be configured to support single-level cell (SLC) and high-endurance (HE-SLC) data endurance groups to best meet unique data requirements.

Micron is now delivering samples of the 4150AT SSD to automotive customers globally. The SSD is housed in a ball grid array package to help withstand the shock and vibration in automotive environments. The drive is offered in capacities up to 1.8 terabytes to enable efficient storage of AI algorithms, large language models, advanced infotainment and telemetry data for next-generation vehicles.

The company is demonstrating the 4150AT at Embedded World, April 9-11, at booth 5-109.