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4
NAND Flash Memory
NAND Flash products are electrically re-writeable, non-volatile semiconductor memory devices that retain content when
power is turned off. NAND Flash sales were 40%, 44% and 36% of our total net sales in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
NAND Flash products are sold by our NSG, WSG and ESG segments. NAND Flash is ideal for mass-storage devices due to its
fast erase and write times, high density and low cost per bit relative to other solid-state memories. Embedded NAND Flash-
based storage devices are utilized in mobile phones, solid-state drives ("SSDs"), tablets, computers, industrial and automotive
applications, MP3/4 players and other personal and consumer applications. Removable storage devices, such as USB and Flash
memory cards, are used with applications such as PCs, digital still cameras, MP3/4 players and mobile phones. The market for
NAND Flash products has grown rapidly and we expect it to continue to grow due to demand for these and other removable
and embedded storage devices.
Our NAND Flash products feature a small cell structure that enables higher densities for demanding applications. We offer
Single-Level Cell ("SLC") NAND Flash products as well as Multi-Level Cell ("MLC") and Triple-Level Cell ("TLC") NAND
Flash products, which have two and three times, respectively, the bit density of SLC NAND Flash products. In 2013, we
offered SLC NAND products in 1 Gb to 64Gb densities. In addition, we offered 8Gb to 128Gb 2-bit-per-cell MLC NAND
Flash products and 32Gb to 128Gb 3-bit-per-cell TLC NAND Flash products. We offer high-speed NAND Flash products that
are compatible with advanced interfaces.
We offer client and enterprise SSDs which feature higher performance, reduced power consumption and enhanced
reliability as compared to typical hard disk drives. Our client SSDs are targeted at notebook and other consumer applications.
Using our NAND Flash process technology and a leading-edge SATA 6 Gb/s interface, our SSDs deliver read and write speeds
that help improve boot and application load times and deliver higher performance than hard disk drives. Our client SSDs are
offered in 2.5-inch and 1.8-inch form factors, with densities up to 960 gigabytes ("GB"). Our enterprise SSDs are targeted at
server applications and incorporate our Extended Performance and Enhanced Reliability Technology (XPERT) architecture,
which closely incorporates the storage and controller through highly optimized firmware algorithms and hardware
enhancements. The end result is a set of market-focused enterprise features that deliver ultra-low latencies, improved data
transfer time, power-loss protection and cost-effectiveness, along with higher capacities and power efficiency. We offer
enterprise SSDs with capacities up to 1.4 terabytes. We expect that demand for both client and enterprise SSDs will continue to
increase significantly over the next several years.
We also offer managed NAND and NAND-based multichip packages ("MCPs") products, which incorporate our NAND
Flash. Our managed NAND products combine NAND Flash with a logic controller that performs media management and error
code correction ("ECC"), which provides reduced ECC complexity, better system performance, improved reliability, easy
integration, and lower overall system costs. Our managed NAND products include e-MMC memory, embedded USB, and
ClearNAND. Our NAND-based MCPs combine NAND Flash with DRAM and/or other memory devices in a single package,
which improves overall functionality and performance while simplifying system design.
Through our Lexar® brand, we sell high-performance digital media products and other flash-based storage products
through retail and OEM channels. Our digital media products include a variety of flash memory cards and JumpDrive™
products with a range of speeds, capacities and value-added features. We offer flash memory cards in a variety of speeds and
capacities and in all major media formats, including: CompactFlash, Memory Stick and Secure Digital ("SD"). CompactFlash
and Memory Stick products sold by us incorporate our patented controller technology. Other products, including SD memory
cards and some JumpDrive products, incorporate third party controllers. We also manufacture products that are sold under
other brand names and resell flash memory products that are purchased from other NAND Flash suppliers.