Delkin Blog

SSDs, or solid state drives, are used in a huge array of industrial and commercial devices. As such, SSDs come in various grades and capacities to meet the needs of different designs and uses. Often, the choice of an SSD utility grade is a simple one. For industrial devices used in rugged operating conditions with extreme temperatures, shock, and vibration, using industrial grade SSDs with SLC flash is typical. For consumer products—where budget and capacity are often the leading concerns when it comes to memory—commercial or consumer grade flash memory with MLC or TLC flash is common. However, there are also devices which require the security and reliability of industrial storage with the capacity of commercial storage. For these devices, SSD utility grade storage may be a solution. Utility grade flash is less well known than industrial and commercial options, so it’s common for users to have questions. Here is a look at some of the questions we encounter most often from customers.

What are utility SSDs?

Utility SSDs are flash storage devices that combine MLC flash memory with features that are expected with industrial grade flash memory. Unlike typical commercial flash memory, utility memory usually has an extended temperature range and a locked BOM. These two features are important for industrial devices. Many industrial applications are used in environments with high temperatures or rapidly changing temperatures, which can be a stress on storage. When storage has an extended temperature range, it won’t be compromised by extreme temperatures.

A locked BOM is critical to industrial devices because it prevents failures from occurring in the field due to changes to the memory card. A locked BOM means that the manufacturer will not make any changes to critical components of the drive without first notifying customers and without launching a new product number. Unanticipated failures can be costly and dangerous for industrial applications, and a locked BOM is key to preventing them.

When should utility SSDs be used?

Utility SSDs are usually a good fit for devices that need both industrial reliability and high-capacity storage. Because utility SSDs feature MLC flash, they can store significantly more data than industrial devices with SLC flash. The additional storage is available because two bits of data can be stored on each cell with MLC flash, versus one bit of data with SLC flash.

From SSD utility grade storage to industrial drives, Delkin is pleased to offer a variety of embedded storage solutions. Contact us today for more information about our selection of SSD products.

ORDER DELKIN INDUSTRIAL FLASH STORAGE TODAY through our distribution partner Newark.