Discontinuation of eMMC: A Guide for Developers and OEMs

What is eMMC?

Embedded Multimedia Card (eMMC) is a non-volatile flash memory mainly used in mobile devices and embedded systems. It has a single package design featuring a NAND flash memory integrated with a memory controller. Its simplified design makes it a viable storage solution for wide-ranging embedded systems, especially in the consumer electronics sector, such as medical, automotive, and IoT applications.

In addition to its compact size, eMMC is easy to integrate and cost effective. It sits between slower traditional storage and faster, more expensive technologies like UFS and NVMe. But even after being a popular storage solution for many years, many manufacturers have revised down their production plans by 50% and more, and Samsung has decided to discontinue eMMC production from next year, citing pricing pressure and focus on high-margin memory. 

The decision will affect the B2B sector, where eMMC is a favored storage solution due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of integration for moderate performance needs.

Fig 1: A block diagram of eMMC architecture

The eMMC Phase Out - What will be the Fallout?

The decision to phase out eMMC storage is forced by several factors. Memory manufacturers believe there has been an added price pressure in the last two years. Moreover, large memory manufacturers are keen on developing high-margin memory products. These products can provide greater profitability and reinvestment potential, catering to the price pressures associated with eMMC.

So, as manufacturers focus on exiting legacy technologies like DDR3 and eMMC, it is likely to induce supply chain problems and increased memory prices. However, many manufacturers like Intelligent Memory (IM), Foresee/Longsys, ESMT, and SkyHigh Memory are committed to providing eMMC solutions beyond 2030, so there are still several alternatives available. 

It effectively means there is no hurry for businesses because eMMC will still be available for the next few years, but eventually, the transition will force businesses to think differently. So, they must consider:

• How will their supply chain handle production schedules during eMMC shortages?

• Does it force requalification for new memory components?

• Can supply chains meet the pricing structures after increased eMMC prices?

• How and when should businesses approach the shift to SSDs and UFS technologies?

While there are several eMMC alternatives, not all of them are suitable for industrial needs. Hence, one of the key fallouts of the eMMC discontinuation is that businesses must proactively plan for future production and explore alternative options. 

Key Features of eMMC Storage

While eMMC storage provides cost-effective options for manufacturers, they have several intriguing features such as:

• Small Form Factor - eMMC storage units have a compact form factor and are packaged as BGA chips. They are as small as a postage stamp, so they easily mount on circuit boards.

• Integrated Nature - The package features both flash memory and controller in a single chip, providing an integrated solution with reduced footprint.

• Non-volatile Storage - The card can retain data even when power is off, making it suitable for operating systems, applications, and user data.

• Standardized Interface - eMMC features a standardized interface, typically based on the SD card standard, allowing for easy integration with various storage devices, including NAND and MMC devices.

• Low Power Consumption - Consumes 84% less power than SSD storage units.

• High Speed Transmission - eMMC chips are suited for high data rate applications. They can support above 400 MB/s data transfers based on their specifications.

Suggested Reading: In Memory Compute: Transforming Data Processing for Speed and Scalability

eMMC Generations 

eMMC storage has evolved with several improvements in each of its upcoming generations. Here is a quick look at how these generations have evolved.

eMMC 4.x

The eMMC 4.x generation established the fundamental eMMC standard with an integrated NAND flash memory and a memory controller. Thus generation supported speed modes up to 52 MHz and a transfer rate of 52 MB/s. Other features included:

• Boot mode for faster device startup

• Reliable write to enhance data integrity during power loss

• Basic security features

The eMMC 4.x generation featured eMMC 4.4, 4.41, and 4.5. The following table summarizes the unique features in each:

eMMC 5.0

The eMMC 5.0 further boosted performance, but more importantly, it introduced new functionalities that allowed easier system integration. This generation introduced the HS400 interface, capable of delivering up to 400 MB/s read. More features included:

• Command Queuing

• Improved Security

• Enhanced Power Management

eMMC 5.1

eMMC 5.1 is the most recent and widely adopted eMMC standard. It offers further refinements in speed and features. It optimized HS400 for better real-world performance and lower power. Newly introduced features include: 

• Production State Awareness

• Enhanced data strobe for improved high-speed transfer reliability 

• Read up to 330 MB/s

• Write up to 150+ MB/s

eMMC vs. UFS (Universal Flash Storage) 

When compared with UFS, eMMC is a cheaper, slower storage using a half-duplex interface, suitable for budget devices and basic tasks. While UFS is a pricier option, is faster because of its full-duplex interface and lower latency. Hence, it is preferred for demanding applications in higher-end devices.

Fig 3: An illustration of eMMC vs UFS

In terms of applications, eMMC finds use in entry-level phones and some embedded systems, while UFS powers flagship smartphones and high-performance devices. The following table summarizes the key differences between eMMC and UFS.

eMMC vs. SD & uSD cards 

SD and micro SD cards are widely used in applications where removable storage is needed. For example, they are used in cameras, and portable data transfer devices. Moreover, SD and uSD cards allow expansion so they provide a flexible storage option.

Fig 4: SD and uSD cards offer a removable storage option

Since eMMC are fixed storage options, they are mainly used in embedded systems, tablets, and laptops. Moreover, eMMC offer a balance between cost and consistent performance while SD and uSD cards vary in cost along with performance. 

eMMC vs. NVMe SSDs and SATA SSDs 

For storage, eMMC stands as the most budget-friendly yet slowest solution, directly integrated into devices via a parallel interface for fundamental storage requirements. It also requires minimal physical space compared to other options. 

SATA SSDs represent a substantial speed upgrade over traditional hard drives, employing the SATA interface and serving as a common choice for general computing and system upgrades. 

In contrast, NVMe SSDs deliver unparalleled speed and minimal latency by utilizing the high-bandwidth PCIe interface, making them optimal for demanding applications such as gaming, content creation, and server operations, though at a premium price.

Performance Metrics that Dictate eMMC Selection for Industrial Applications

eMMC selection depends on several performance metrics. Here is a quick look at the key metrics necessary for industrial applications.

Latency

Latency is the measure of delay between requesting data and receiving it. eMMC has low latency, which ensures quick response times, crucial for real-time control in robotics and automotive systems. It means faster loading time and smoother performance in software applications.

Throughput

Throughput is the amount of data that can be read or written to the memory. While eMMC doesn’t offer a high throughput as compared to SSDs. For industrial applications, a high throughput enables fast data logging and processing needed for complex IoT analytics and automotive sensor data.

Endurance

eMMC endurance is measured in program-erase (P/E) cycles and Total Bytes Written (TBW). It is generally lower than that of SSDs, making it suitable for devices with lighter write workloads. However, wear-leveling algorithms help extend its lifespan by evenly distributing data writes across the memory cells.

Data Retention

eMMC is a non-volatile memory unit. So it is suited for long-term data retention applications such as data logging. Robust data retention, even without power, is vital for preserving critical operational parameters and historical data in industrial settings.

Temperature Range 

eMMC works in a wide range of temperatures, which makes it suitable for industrial applications. Typical eMMCs work from -40 °C to +105 °C. So, they are suited for outdoor deployments in harsh weather conditions. 

Power Efficiency

eMMC consumes from 0.5 to 2 watts. Therefore, it is suited for low-power applications such as battery-powered IoT devices. In applications where power management is critical, eMMC can prove to be an efficient memory option. 

Conclusion

Developers and OEMs have to match the right technology to the right application. While SATA and NVMe serve the PC and server markets, UFS is gaining traction in the markets that eMMC is currently addressing. UFS is expected to dominate the high-end as well as increasingly the low-end markets by 2027. So while eMMC may not remain the flagship Flash technology, it remains indispensable in embedded and industrial applications where reliability, integration and cost are important. It offers a good balance between cost and performance for manufacturers, having applications in the electronics, automotive, robotics, and many other industrial sectors. But as businesses move towards more financially suitable memory options, eMMC will become highly focussed on selected markets and legacy products, requiring manufacturers to adopt a dual strategy: secure long term eMMC supply  and prepare product designs for the migration to other technologies from 2027 onward. 

Join us at the “eMMC in transition: Market Trends, Technology Landscape & Strategic Implications” webinar to catch more insights about the future of eMMC. 

References

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