Crucial 2014 Annual Report Download - page 5

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LPDRAM products offer lower power consumption relative to other DRAM products and are used primarily in mobile
phones, tablets, embedded applications, ultra-thin laptop computers and other mobile consumer devices that require low power
consumption. We offer DDR4, DDR3, DDR2 and DDR versions of LPDRAM. Sales of mobile LPDRAM products were
20%, 6% and 3% of our total net sales in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
We also offer other DRAM products targeted to specialty markets including DDR2 DRAM, DDR DRAM, GDDR5
DRAM, SDRAM, RLDRAM and PSRAM. These products are used primarily in networking devices, servers, consumer
electronics, communications equipment, computer peripherals, automotive and industrial applications as well as computer
memory upgrades. In 2014, we began selling Hybrid Memory Cube ("HMC") products, which are semiconductor memory
devices where vertical stacks of DRAM die that are connected using through-silicon-via interconnects are placed above a
small, high-speed logic layer. HMC enables ultra-high system performance with significantly lower power-per-bit.
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 27%, 40% and 44% of our total net sales in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
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, SSDs, tablets,
computers, industrial and automotive applications, networking 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 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 embedded and removable storage devices. NAND Flash products are sold by SBU, EBU, MBU and CNBU.
Our NAND Flash products feature a small cell structure that enables higher densities for demanding applications. We offer
high-speed SLC, MLC and TLC NAND Flash products that are compatible with advanced interfaces. MLC and TLC products
have two and three times, respectively, the bit density of SLC products. In 2014, we offered SLC NAND Flash products in
1Gb to 64Gb densities; 2-bit-per-cell MLC NAND Flash products in 8Gb to 128Gb densities; and 3-bit-per-cell TLC NAND
Flash products in 64Gb to 128Gb densities.
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 notebooks, desktops, workstations and other
consumer applications. Using our NAND Flash process technology and a leading-edge SATA 6 Gb per second 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 feature industry-leading encryption for corporate users and are offered in a 2.5-inch, M.2. and
mSATA modules, with densities up to 1 terabyte. Our enterprise SSDs are targeted at server and storage 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 Multi-Chip Package ("MCP") products, which incorporate our NAND Flash. Our managed
NAND products include e-MMC, e-MCP and embedded USB. Our e-MMC 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 e-MCP products combine
e-MMC with LPDRAM on the same substrate, 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.