Phison PS5022: First SSD Controller with ISO 26262 ASIL-B Certification
Phison Electronics (8299TT), a pioneering force in NAND controllers and storage solutions, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in the automotive industry. The company proudly announced that its PCIe Gen4x4 PS5022 controller, specifically designed for automotive applications, has become the world’s first SSD controller to receive ISO 26262 ASIL-B compliance certification. This certification is a testament to Phison’s commitment to functional safety in the NAND storage sector, highlighting the company’s dedication to advancing automotive storage solutions.
ISO 26262 ASIL-B compliance is a crucial benchmark for automotive electronic systems, ensuring that vehicle components can detect random failures in real time and transition into a safe state to support accident prevention and overall driving safety. As the industry advances with sophisticated technologies such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving, the demand for highly secure and reliable automotive storage solutions continues to rise. Phison’s PS5022 controller, having successfully passed this rigorous certification process, meets the highest standards for hardware and software reliability.
One of the critical aspects of ISO 26262 ASIL-B compliance is its comprehensive coverage of hardware and software design, including extensive validation in Part 6 (firmware validation). Phison has dedicated substantial resources to ensuring firmware security and reliability, reinforcing the controller’s resilience against failures and enhancing overall safety assurance. Given that automakers increasingly require this certification for storage devices in vehicles, Phison’s success in obtaining this qualification solidifies its leadership position in the automotive storage market.
The distinction between ISO 26262 ASIL-B Ready and ISO 26262 ASIL-B compliance is essential. While ASIL-B Ready signifies that the product analysis meets specific safety requirements under Part 5 of the standard, it does not encompass the complete design and verification processes required for full certification. This means that customers must conduct additional assessments and validations to ensure functional safety compliance. In contrast, ISO 26262 ASIL-B compliance ensures that the product has undergone exhaustive analysis, design, and validation processes, meeting the highest industry standards for detecting and mitigating risks associated with random failures.
By achieving this certification, Phison’s PS5022 controller demonstrates an unparalleled level of safety and reliability. The certification process guarantees that every stage—from design and development to validation and application—adheres to the strictest automotive safety standards. This milestone not only enhances Phison’s credibility but also positions the company as a preferred choice for automotive storage solutions in a market increasingly reliant on data integrity and functional safety.
With over 15 years of experience in automotive storage controllers, Phison has continuously provided high-performance NAND controllers to major global NAND manufacturers. The newly certified PCIe Gen4x4 PS5022 controller is featured in Micron’s 4150AT SSD, the world’s first automotive SSD to incorporate quad-port and Single Root I/O Virtualization (SR-IOV) functionality. This innovative product serves as a cornerstone for next-generation automotive architectures, offering enhanced efficiency, reliability, and safety for intelligent driving solutions.
Michael Basca, Vice President of Embedded Products and Systems at Micron, expressed his enthusiasm for Phison’s achievement, stating, “Phison’s accomplishment in securing the world’s first ISO 26262 ASIL-B compliance certification for an SSD controller underscores their technological leadership in NAND controller design. This milestone sets a new benchmark for the automotive storage industry. Ensuring functional safety is a priority for us in automotive system architecture, and Phison’s newly certified controller further enhances the performance, reliability, and stability of our 4150AT SSD. We are excited to continue our collaboration with Phison to advance intelligent automotive technologies and develop safer, more efficient storage solutions for future vehicles.”
Phison’s journey to ISO 26262 ASIL-B compliance was a formidable undertaking. The certification process spanned four years, required contributions from over 300 engineers, and represented an investment of tens of millions of New Taiwan Dollars (NTD). K.S. Pua, CEO of Phison Electronics, remarked, “Achieving this certification was an immense challenge, but it reinforces our commitment to quality, innovation, and long-term leadership in the automotive storage industry. We are incredibly proud that our PS5022 controller, the world’s first ASIL-B compliant SSD controller, is featured in Micron’s groundbreaking 4150AT SSD—the only quad-port SSD for automotive applications. Moving forward, we will continue to enhance our collaboration and drive further advancements in automotive storage technologies.”
Phison’s Quick Facts:
- Over 25 years of experience in NAND controller IC design and module integration.
- A global workforce of over 4,000 employees, with more than 70% being engineers.
- A portfolio of more than 2,000 NAND-related patents worldwide.
- A long-term revenue target of NT$100 billion, driven by its “5+5” growth strategy.
- Over 20% global market share in SSD controllers.
- Over 40% global market share in automotive-grade controllers.
- Long-standing partnerships with leading NAND manufacturers, including KIOXIA, Micron, Western Digital, Samsung, and SK Hynix.
- Over 70% of Phison’s revenue comes from “non-consumer” NAND storage applications, such as servers, automotive systems, industrial applications, gaming consoles, and AI-driven technologies.
Phison’s deep integration within the NAND ecosystem—spanning upstream NAND makers, supply chain partners, and downstream storage application customers—provides invaluable expertise and solutions to global clients. The company’s ability to navigate the complexities of NAND storage positions it as a dominant force in the industry.
As automotive technology evolves, the demand for reliable, high-performance storage solutions will continue to grow. Phison remains at the forefront of these advancements, leveraging its technological leadership to provide cutting-edge solutions that meet the highest standards of functional safety. With its newly certified PS5022 controller, Phison is set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of automotive storage, driving innovation, and ensuring safety in the intelligent vehicles of tomorrow.
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