Phison Electronics, a leading innovator in NAND controllers and storage solutions, has announced that its PCIe Gen4x4 PS5022 controller has officially become the world’s first SSD controller to receive ISO 26262 ASIL-B compliance certification for automotive applications. This milestone underscores Phison’s commitment to functional safety (FuSa) in the NAND industry and cements its leadership in the storage sector.
The ISO 26262 ASIL-B compliance certification is a critical benchmark for ensuring the functional safety of automotive electronic systems. It guarantees that electronic components within vehicles can detect random failures in real-time and transition into a safe state, helping to prevent accidents and enhance driving safety. As Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving technologies continue to evolve, the need for reliable and secure storage solutions in automobiles has never been greater. Phison’s PS5022 controller has successfully met the rigorous requirements of this certification, covering multiple aspects of hardware and software design.
A key focus of Phison’s development effort was firmware validation, particularly under Part 6 of the ISO 26262 standard, to enhance firmware security and reliability. As automotive manufacturers increasingly demand ISO 26262 compliance for storage devices, the certification of the PS5022 controller strengthens Phison’s position as a trusted supplier in the industry.
Difference Between ISO 26262 ASIL-B Compliance and ASIL-B Ready
Phison’s certification goes beyond the ISO 26262 ASIL-B Ready designation, which indicates that a product has been analyzed for safety under Part 5 but still requires additional safety assessments by customers. In contrast, ISO 26262 ASIL-B compliance ensures that the product has undergone a full-scale analysis, design, and validation process in accordance with automotive functional safety standards. This higher level of certification provides automakers with a fully vetted solution that is capable of detecting and mitigating potential risks caused by random failures, delivering greater safety assurance in automotive storage applications.
By achieving this certification, Phison demonstrates that the PS5022 controller has successfully passed all necessary stages of design, development, validation, and application, solidifying its reputation as a premier choice for automotive storage solutions.
Phison’s Legacy in Automotive Storage
With over 15 years of experience in automotive storage controllers, Phison has consistently delivered high-performance NAND controllers to major global NAND manufacturers. The ASIL-B certified PCIe Gen4x4 PS5022 controller is featured in Micron’s 4150AT SSD—the world’s first automotive SSD with quad-port and SR-IOV functionality. This groundbreaking product plays a pivotal role in next-generation automotive architectures, enhancing both efficiency and safety in intelligent driving systems.
Industry Endorsements
The significance of this achievement has been acknowledged by industry leaders. Michael Basca, Vice President of Embedded Products and Systems at Micron, praised Phison’s technological leadership, stating:
“Phison’s achievement of the world’s first ISO 26262 ASIL-B compliance certification for an SSD controller is a testament to its expertise in NAND controller design and sets a new benchmark for the automotive storage market. Functional safety is paramount when designing automotive solutions, and Phison’s newly certified controller strengthens the reliability, performance, and stability of our 4150AT SSD. We look forward to continued collaboration with Phison to drive advancements in intelligent automotive technology and deliver safer, more efficient storage solutions for future vehicles.”
Phison CEO K.S. Pua reflected on the company’s investment in achieving this milestone:
Achieving ISO 26262 ASIL-B compliance certification required an immense effort spanning four years, involving over 300 engineers, and costing tens of millions of NTD. The PS5022 controller is the world’s first SSD controller to meet this rigorous automotive standard. This accomplishment reaffirms Phison’s dedication to quality, innovation, and the long-term growth of the global automotive market. We are particularly proud that our certified controller is a key component of Micron’s cutting-edge automotive SSD, the 4150AT, the world’s only quad-port SSD. Moving forward, we will continue to deepen our industry partnerships and drive technological advancements in automotive storage.
Phison’s Industry Standing and Vision
Phison has firmly established itself as a leader in NAND controller IC design and storage module integration. Some key highlights of Phison’s industry influence include:
- Over 25 years of experience in NAND controller design.
- A global workforce of more than 4,000 employees, with over 70% being engineers.
- A portfolio of more than 2,000 NAND-related patents worldwide.
- A target revenue of NT$100 billion through its 5+5 growth strategy.
- A global SSD controller market share exceeding 20%.
- A dominant presence in the automotive-grade controller market, with over 40% market share.
Phison collaborates with leading NAND manufacturers, including KIOXIA, Micron, Western Digital, Samsung, and SK Hynix. More than 70% of Phison’s revenue is derived from non-consumer NAND applications, such as enterprise servers, automotive systems, embedded devices, industrial solutions, gaming consoles, and generative AI applications. This diversified portfolio enables Phison to maintain stable revenue and profitability despite fluctuations in the NAND industry.
