Delkin Blog

Power and energy suppliers have unique needs for Flash storage. These applications typically operate in rugged environments, subject to enormous temperature fluctuations as well as high levels of shock and vibration. The need for effective Flash storage options for power and energy applications is skyrocketing, as outdated power grids are replaced with smart grids managed through AI. One option for power and energy applications in need of rugged, industrial-grade storage is eUSB with reliable SLC Flash.

What is industrial eUSB?

Industrial embedded USB, or eUSB, is an embedded Flash storage card that combines mechanical ruggedness with small size. The vast majority of processors support the USB interface, even when the host cannot accommodate a traditional HDD/SSD form factor. Industrial eUSBs feature a critical component for power and energy applications—a controlled bill of materials. Controlled BOMs mean that none of the components of the drive can be changed unless a new product number is launched. This means that unexpected product changes won’t cause application failures in the field. For power and energy suppliers, this feature is essential.

When is industrial eUSB the right choice?

Industrial eUSBs are the perfect solution for applications that require a small amount of storage in a physically small environment. Industrial eUSBs are also rugged enough to stand up to the demands of power and energy applications. They operate without failures in extreme temperatures and can withstand the shock and vibrations common in the environments of these applications. They are available in capacities ranging from 128MB up to 32GB and can be used for loading OS or logging critical data.

The Department of Energy has committed to a national campaign of replacing old power grids with smart grids that autonomously record and recognize patterns to manage demand and supply of power. Flash storage will play a central role in these transitions, and eUSBs will be a part of the solution for the power and energy industry.

Can industrial eUSBs be customized?

It’s possible for industrial eUSBs to be customized in a number of ways. A wide variety of 10-pin headers are available to ensure the eUSB fits the processor board. Various stand-off heights are also available, along with 0.100” or 2 mm pitches. Customized content loading, labeling, and new custom connectors are also available for eUSB drives.

If you’re looking for a rugged storage solution for a power or energy application, contact Delkin to discuss your options. Our website has additional tech spec information on our eUSBs available for download.