Pseudo SLC (pSLC)

Pseudo SLC pSLC stands for pseudo single-level cell. Pseudo Single-Level Cell (pSLC) is the technology of using multi-Level cell or triple-level cell NAND Flash in a way that reduces the number of bits stored in each cell to one. Pseudo-SLC operates like SLC, but with most cost-effective NAND, such as 3D TLC, which makes it an alternative to SLC.

pSLC is often promoted as a suitable replacement for SLC technology. The cells in pSLC flash are smaller, since they are MLC or TLC cells. It is an advanced variant of MLC/3D TLC that outperforms the latter in speed, program erase cycles, and overall reliability.

2D pSLC technology simulates MLC as an SLC Cell structure, and through the adjustment of SSD firmware and algorithm, the original one Cell unit storing 2-bit MLC NAND Flash, is simulated as the SLC storage model of 1 Cell storing 1 bit. As pSLC reconfigures the MLC Cell layout, it can elevate the SSD read-write performance to the equivalent SLC level with extended usage longevity, which may adversely sacrifice half of the capacity of MLC SSD. The technology delivers a cost-performance balance between MLC and SLC flash types, which makes it an ideal alternative solution for heavy-write applications.

Breaking through the limitations of existing technologies, the current 3D pSLC can offer up to more than 30,000 or higher P/E cycles, more than 10 times the reliability of MLC or industrial 3D TLC. The pSLC simulates the performance and endurance of industrial-grade flash SLC and provides a cost-performance balance solution to customers, making pSLC an ideal alternative solution for embedded or industrial applications. The capacity of 2D pSLC is ½ of 2D MLC; 3D pSLC is ¼ of 3D TLC.