Phison PS5022 Achieves ISO 26262 ASIL-B Compliance for Automotive Storage

Phison Electronics, a leading NAND controller and storage solutions provider, has announced that its PCIe Gen4x4 PS5022 controller has become the world’s first SSD controller chip to achieve ISO 26262 ASIL-B Compliance certification. This milestone reinforces Phison’s technological leadership in the automotive storage market, as the certification represents the highest functional safety (FuSa) standard for NAND-based storage solutions.

The Importance of ISO 26262 ASIL-B Compliance in Automotive Electronics

ISO 26262 ASIL-B Compliance is a critical safety standard for automotive electronic systems, ensuring that storage components can detect random faults in real-time and transition to a safe state (Safe State) to prevent system failures. As advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving technologies evolve, automotive storage solutions must meet higher safety and reliability standards.

Unlike ISO 26262 ASIL-B Ready, which only partially meets safety requirements under Part 5 and leaves full safety evaluation and verification to the customer, ASIL-B Compliance certifies that the product has undergone a complete safety analysis, design validation, and verification process. Phison’s PS5022 SSD controller’s full compliance certification provides automakers and Tier-1 suppliers with a robust, ready-to-deploy storage solution that meets the highest safety standards.

How PS5022 Achieved Industry-Leading Compliance

Phison invested significant resources into Part 6 (Firmware Validation) to ensure both hardware and software met ISO 26262 standards. The certification strengthens Phison’s position as a leader in automotive storage, with several automakers already requiring this certification as a prerequisite for storage deployment.

Key features of Phison PS5022 SSD controller:
PCIe Gen4x4 interface for high-speed automotive applications
ISO 26262 ASIL-B Compliance, ensuring end-to-end safety and reliability
Real-time fault detection and safe state transition to mitigate failures
Optimized firmware validation to meet stringent automotive safety regulations

Collaboration with Micron: Pioneering the Future of Automotive Storage

Phison is also playing a pivotal role in the development of next-generation automotive SSDs. Partnering with Micron, Phison enabled the launch of the world’s first FuSa-compliant automotive SSD, the Micron 4150AT, which supports:
Quad-port (four-lane) architecture for high-performance automotive data management
SR-IOV (Single Root I/O Virtualization) functionality, improving efficiency in software-defined vehicles

These features make the Micron 4150AT SSD a crucial component for next-generation intelligent vehicle storage systems, offering superior performance, reliability, and safety.

Setting a New Industry Benchmark in Automotive Storage

Phison’s achievement in securing the world’s first ISO 26262 ASIL-B Compliance for an SSD controller demonstrates its technical expertise and leadership in NAND controller design. This certification not only solidifies Phison’s reputation but also raises the bar for functional safety in automotive storage solutions.

Michael Basca, Vice President of Embedded Products and Systems at Micron, praised the achievement, stating:
"Ensuring functional safety is crucial in automotive storage solutions. As a key component of our 4150AT automotive SSD, Phison’s newly certified controller enhances performance, reliability, and stability. We look forward to continued collaboration with Phison in advancing intelligent vehicle storage solutions that prioritize safety and efficiency."

Key Takeaways: Why This Matters for the Automotive Industry

First SSD controller worldwide to achieve ISO 26262 ASIL-B Compliance
Ensures fault detection and safe-state transition for enhanced automotive safety
Fully compliant, unlike ASIL-B Ready solutions that require additional verification
Collaboration with Micron to introduce the industry’s first FuSa-compliant automotive SSD
Strengthens Phison’s position as a leader in automotive storage solutions

This landmark certification places Phison at the forefront of automotive storage innovation, providing a high-performance, fully compliant storage solution that meets the increasing safety demands of next-generation connected and autonomous vehicles.