FADU is a fabless semiconductor company innovating flash storage technology and supply chains.
We're focused on developing innovative SSD flash controller architectures to meet the explosively growing data demands of enterprise data centers.
As a fabless semiconductor company, FADU doesn't have its own manufacturing facilities -- it specializes in chip design while outsourcing production to external foundries. This model allows us to focus on R&D, reduce capital costs, and rapidly innovate flash storage technology.
We've also developed a proprietary flash memory controller architecture to build ultra-low-power, ultra-high-performance SSDs. Supporting PCIe Gen5 and above with NVMe 2.0 to meet AI workload demands from hyperscalers and data centers, the design emphasizes flexibility with compatibility across multiple NAND suppliers. The core value proposition is delivering consistent QoS (Quality of Service) that goes beyond the limitations of legacy architectures.
The traditional SSD supply chain is vertically integrated across controller, NAND, and SSD module -- which limits flexibility. FADU addresses supply chain bottlenecks with an innovative model that includes turnkey solutions (complete products), custom firmware, and BOM (Bill of Materials). This helps OEMs and cloud providers produce quickly and respond to NAND price fluctuations.
FADU's Key Products#
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SSD Controllers
The core component of data center SSDs, determining storage performance and power efficiency.
FADU provides high-performance SSD controllers supporting the latest interfaces like NVMe, PCIe Gen 4, and Gen 5. -
SSD Product Lineup
Based on proprietary controllers, FADU has SSD lineups for data centers, enterprise, and consumer use. -
Custom Design
FADU offers dedicated SSD controller and SSD design services tailored to customer requirements.
Flash Controller -- Technology That Makes Good Flash Even Faster#
SSD performance varies greatly not just from the NAND flash itself but from controller technology.
The controller efficiently manages NAND flash and optimizes speed, reliability, and lifespan.
Think of it as a librarian who precisely organizes data and manages errors.
Controllers are essential not just for SSDs but also for
various flash solutions including embedded MultiMedia Cards (eMMC).
Flash Memory Basics#
Flash memory is a non-volatile semiconductor storage device that retains data even when power is off.
The name 'Flash' comes from how it operates quickly, like a camera flash.
Advantages
- Fast speed, small and lightweight, low power consumption
Disadvantages
- Can only rewrite in block units
- Limited number of write cycles
- Improper handling can cause data corruption
Interleaving#
A technique that boosts speed by distributing data across multiple memory chips in parallel.
It's a form of 'interleaved processing' that splits traffic to improve error recovery and transfer efficiency.
Gate Structures#
Flash is divided into NAND and NOR types.
- NAND: For processing large amounts of data quickly (e.g., SSDs, memory cards)
- NOR: For fast read speeds and random access needs (e.g., firmware storage)
NAND is like "stacking piles of documents high" -- large capacity and efficient.
NOR is like "a neatly indexed filing cabinet" -- great accessibility.
Customizable Firmware -- Designing the Brain of an SSD#
Firmware is the control software embedded in hardware devices.
Since it determines the SSD controller's performance, lifespan, and power efficiency,
FADU develops a flexibly customizable firmware architecture.
FADU also provides SSD Design, Turnkey Solutions,
and Private Label manufacturing services,
helping customers easily adopt complete or customized SSD solutions.
FTL -- Flash Translation Layer#
FTL is the core technology that maps data between flash memory and the file system.
This technology is what makes it possible to use flash like a regular hard drive.
Block erasing, wear-leveling, garbage collection, and other SSD internal operations all happen at this layer.
For more details: SSD Core Technology FTL (NeedJarvis Blog)
Product Lineup#
BRAVO -- The Starting Point of Efficient Performance#
- Interface: PCIe 3.0 x4
- Spec: NVMe 1.4 | OCP NVMe Cloud SSD 1.0
The BRAVO platform delivers up to 2x KIOPS with 30% less power.
As the industry's first RISC-V-based controller, it achieves stable performance without throttling.
Available in E1.S and M.2 SSD form factors, offered as turnkey and Private Label solutions.
DELTA -- 2nd Generation High-Performance Platform#
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Spec: NVMe 1.4b | OCP NVMe Cloud Spec 1.0a
DELTA achieves 2x performance improvement and even lower power consumption compared to the BRAVO platform.
Based on FADU's 2nd generation FC4121 controller, it delivers industry-leading KIOPS/Watt.
Available in E1.S and U.2 SSD form factors.
ECHO -- Next-Generation PCIe 5.0 Platform#
- Interface: PCIe 5.0 x4 (x2 Dual Port)
- Spec: NVMe 2.0 | OCP Datacenter NVMe SSD 2.0
The ECHO platform is now available.
ECHO is designed for next-generation hyperscale, cloud, edge, and enterprise data centers.
Equipped with the latest FC5161 controller, it delivers extremely low latency and high QoS,
while virtually eliminating thermal throttling issues.
It also supports FDP (Flexible Data Placement) and 64 Physical Functions,
positioning itself as the industry's first OCP-certified SSD to integrate these capabilities.
Conclusion#
FADU was started not to maintain existing limitations but to establish a new standard for SSD architecture.
We're building multi-generational flash storage solutions that achieve
the lowest power consumption with the highest performance, consistently low latency, and sustained QoS.
Pioneering new paths for SSDs in data center servers and storage systems,
we're leading the next generation of innovation in the flash storage industry.
Recent Achievements and Vision:
Founded in 2015, FADU has secured mass supply contracts with 2 of the global top 4 hyperscalers as of 2025. With Gen5 controller shipments driving rapid revenue growth, it has become Korea's first fabless semiconductor unicorn, targeting Gen6 products and AI storage expansion.
In rivers, the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of that which comes; so with present time.
— Leonardo da Vinci
