LSI is the latest chip supplier to join the Open NAND Flash Interface (ONFi) Working Group, which is an industry group working on the integration of NAND flash memory into consumer electronics devices, computing platforms and industrial systems.

According to the ONFi Working Group, which was formed in 2006, the aims have been to address the lack of standardisation in the use of NAND flash in end user applications.

"To support a new NAND flash component on a platform, host software, firmware and/or hardware changes were often required. Implementing these changes was extremely costly due to the new testing cycle required, which led to slower rates of adoption for new NAND flash components," said the ONFi.

LSI, which specialises in the supply of chips for hard disk drive and disk storage systems, joins more than 70 member companies participating in the ONFi initiative. Together, the companies will work to develop a standardized NAND flash interface that allows interoperability between NAND devices.

"We look forward to the contribution LSI can provide through the company's breadth of expertise ranging from silicon to systems," said Knut Grimsrud, ONFi chairman and Intel Fellow.