A Look at the Features of the Industrial Grade CFast Card
An industrial grade CFast card combines the advantages of Compact Flash technology with the SATA interface. For applications that rely on data integrity and need to be up 100% of the time, CFast is an ideal solution, even for challenging embedded environments. The industrial grade CFast card offers extended temperature ranges and a high tolerance for rugged operating conditions, which is why you’ll find it used in healthcare, transportation, aerospace, communications, and other industries in which data loss is simply not an option.
Industrial Grade CFast Card Basics
Compact Flash is one of the most widely used and recognized forms of flash storage on the market. However, embedded platforms that have used Compact Flash in the past for storage with a PATA interface meet a major challenge when they need to migrate to SATA after a processor change. In these instances, CFast is the answer for use as either a boot drive or storage medium.
Just like the CompactFlash technology users are accustomed to having in their applications, CFast is governed by guidelines set by the CompactFlash Association. The mechanical dimensions are nearly indistinguishable from standard CompactFlash, except that CFast cards are 3.6mm compared to 3.3mm for CF. The 24-pin SATA connector is also included on the CFast card.
Rugged Operating Features
Industrial grade CFast cards are designed for work in rugged environments in which other grades of flash memory may suffer operational difficulties. CFast works in temperatures ranging from -40 degrees C to 85 degrees C, and it can be stored in temperatures as low as -50 degrees C and as high as 100 degrees C. The shock rating is 10G, 11msec – Sawtooth Waveform, and these cards can handle vibrations of 7.7GRMS, 20Hz – 1000Hz @ 0.04 G2/Hz and 1000Hz – 2000 Hz @ 0.01 G2/Hz.
Industrial grade CFast technology features SLC NAND flash for the fastest speeds and highest degree of reliability. Since only one bit of data is stored per cell, the flash device can operate quickly with much less risk of data loss due to a power issue. As with all Delkin industrial grade products, CFast comes with lifecycle management and controlled BOM. Every piece of the device is controlled, including the flash, controller, and firmware versions, and they won’t be changed without issuing a new product number. There is a wide range of capacities available, along with full customization options.
Are you considering industrial grade CFast cards for your application? Contact Delkin today to learn more about this technology and how it can be customized to meet your specific needs.