Delkin Blog

Sometimes, the most familiar solution is the best one. That is often the case with USB flash drives. For external storage, USB flash drives may be the most recognizable option on the market for everyone from novice, casual users to industrial clients with high-grade storage needs. When it comes to those industrial clients, nothing less than the highest possible level of security for data will do. For these needs, high-reliability USB flash drives are available. A high-reliability flash drive uses SLC NAND flash storage to ensure that critical data is kept secure at all times, all with the portability and convenience of familiar USB flash technology. If you’re looking for industrial grade storage in USB format, here is what you need to know about choosing the right drive for your needs.

Pick USB Flash Drives with SLC Storage

If you are looking for a high-reliability USB flash drive for an industrial application, look for one that is designed with SLC NAND flash for storage. SLC stands for single-level cell, and it is the technology that is used almost universally in industrial grade storage drives. The reason that it is so reliable is that each cell only holds one bit of data. This has two advantages. First, it minimizes the chance of any loss of data during write operations due to power glitches. Since only one bit of data has to be written per cell, there is not the need for multiple voltages, which allows for fast and streamlined data writing.

The second advantage is that it makes all drive operations faster. Again, because each cell only holds one bit and multiple voltages aren’t needed, read and write operations are smooth and quick—much faster than with other forms of USB storage.

Look for a Controlled BOM

Another important feature of high-reliability USB drives is that they can be manufactured with a controlled BOM, or bill of materials. For industrial users, this is an essential feature. A controlled BOM means that critical components, like the firmware and flash chips, will not be changed without notice. With commercial grade products, these parts are changed frequently, which is fine for consumer use but can cause unexpected failures for industrial users. A controlled BOM erases this risk. When it is necessary for designers to change components, a new product number for the USB will be issued. You will receive advanced notice so you can place final orders to allow yourself time to adjust your application accordingly.

Delkin offers high-reliability USB flash drives that can be customized to meet your specific needs. Discuss your application and customization requirements with a Delkin team member today.