Kioxia XFMEXPRESS XT2: First XFM-1.0 compliant PCIe/NVMe removable storage device launches

Kioxia XFMEXPRESS XT2, the company announced the launch of the first XFM-1.0 compliant PCIe/NVMe removable storage device. Featuring the new XT2 form factor and connector, the crossover flash memory (XFM) standard storage device offers features that are expected to “fundamentally transform ultra-mobile PCs, IoT devices and embedded applications”.

Kioxia XFMEXPRESS XT2 in detail

The Kioxia XFMEXPRESS XT2 was first unveiled to the public in August 2019. The manufacturer then submitted the device to the JEDEC Solid State Technology Association as a draft for a new form factor for PCIe/NVMe devices. So now, almost three years later, the XFMEXPRESS technology is finally ready for the market and ready for launch.

Special features are the small size, high speeds, as well as a particularly high ease of maintenance. The XT2 is designed to enhance next-generation mobile and embedded applications. In doing so, the Kioxia XFMEXPRESS XT2 is the first product in its class to meet the specifications of the JEDEC standard XFM 1.0.

“KIOXIA, the inventor of flash memory, recognized the need for a new class of removable memory. We have therefore applied our extensive expertise in single-package memory design to develop the XFMEXPRESS XT2”, explains Axel Störmann, vice president for memory marketing & engineering at KIOXIA Europe GmbH.

Features and benefits of the XT2

The XFMEXPRESS XT2 enables a whole new category of small memory devices that are particularly easy to maintain and expand. For example, the manufacturer relies on a rugged and compact case that offers flexibility and enables rapid memory replacement.

The JEDEC XFM DEVICE 1.0 form factor also turns out to be extremely compact. According to the manufacturer, the profile is 14 mm x 18 mm x 1.4 mm or 252 square millimeters. Thanks to the low height of only 1.4 millimeters, the device is thus particularly suitable for slim and light notebooks and at the same time offers new design possibilities for applications and systems of the next generation. Significantly smaller, then, than the new Kioxia CD-8 series.

The XFMEXPRESS XT2 is designed for speed and includes an interface with PCIe 4.0 x 2 lanes and NVMe 1.4b. The storage device’s high performance and rugged form factor are thus said to offer a strong alternative to other SSD form factors such as the M.2 format.

• Also interesting: The new Kioxia PM7 server SSD comes in at up to 30 TB

Prices and availability

In this regard, the XT2 is initially available in capacities of 256 GB and 512 GB. The manufacturer did not provide details on pricing and availability in the announcement so far. However, there is an opportunity to experience the Kioxia XFMEXPRESS XT2 live. Namely, at Embedded World 2022 in Nuremberg, Germany, June 21-23 in Hall 3A at Booth #3A-117, as well as at Flash Memory Summit 2022, Aug. 2-4 at the Santa Clara Convention Center, Calif.