Industrial flash memory storage solutions must work flawlessly in demanding environments in which temperatures, vibrations, and shock are extreme. Flash memory is the answer for these needs. There are a variety of flash memory storage solutions that can fit in a number of different devices and applications. For engineers and OEMs, flash memory storage provides the reliability necessary for industrial use. Here are some of the flash memory storage solutions that are available for industrial applications:   SD and microSD Cards Both...
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Software Programming Web Development Concept   Solid state drives (SSDs) deliver the high performance and high capacity that OEMs need in their data storage solutions, but they’re also capable of much more. Some SSDs come equipped with SMART technology. If it’s been a while since you last dealt with SMART data, here’s a quick primer on SMART SSD solutions.   A Quick Explanation of SMART Data SMART is an acronym for Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology. In other words, a SMART SSD has the...
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  One of the most significant differentiators between commercial and industrial grade products is their temperature range. Commercial temperature range electronics typically operate at more moderate temperatures than industrial applications, so they usually do not need to use embedded flash storage that can handle extended temperature ranges. Here is what you need to know.   Commercial Temperature Ranges Flash storage solutions are divided into commercial and industrial categories based on their temperature ranges, among other factors. These temperature ranges refer to the temperatures...
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  Single-layer cell (SLC) solid state drives (SSDs) are extremely popular, even though OEMs can also choose from multi-layer cell (MLC) and triple-layer cell (TLC) flash storage. SLC SSD drives are an excellent choice for a wide range of industry applications, including healthcare, embedded automotive solutions, aerospace, and military.   The Remarkable Longevity of SLC Designs Single layer cell technology has a well-deserved reputation for longevity and reliability, making it the ideal choice for a wide range of enterprise applications. SLC is designed...
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USB flash drives are familiar to even novice computer users. Many people may remember carrying them on a keychain to transport documents to printers or music files to a friend. SLC NAND USB flash drives are different from these consumer models that are so familiar. They combine the convenience of USBs with the rugged operation capacity required for industrial use. These are used for devices in diverse industries, including healthcare, transportation, and military applications.   What is an SLC NAND USB...
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  USB flash drives are one of the most common and well-recognized storage devices available. In fact, so many people are accustomed to seeing and using USBs that they don’t consider their viability for industrial applications. However, industrial USB solutions are available, and they provide a user-friendly, portable option for storage in high-pressure environments. They are an ideal solution for OEM designs in a variety of industries. Is this the right storage for your application’s needs?   When to Choose Industrial USB...
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  Embedded USB flash modules bring industrial grade storage with USB functionality to applications that need a flexible, small-sized storage solution. Nearly every processor supports USB interfaces, so this small-form embedded storage option is easy to adopt and integrate across a range of devices and applications. The embedded USB flash module—also known as eUSB—is valued for its low power consumption and fast access times. For many industrial applications, this storage solution is superior to other options.   Embedded USB Flash Module Technical...
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When choosing a storage solution for your application, don’t underestimate the value of SD card industrial grade devices. These are designed specifically for industrial applications that work using the secure digital interface. They offer a high level of performance, reliability, and endurance with industrial grade features. You can find SD card industrial grade solutions at work in applications in the automation, healthcare, and transportation industries, among many others. They can be used in small hosting devices without any compromise...
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  If you are looking for flash storage for a device with a small form factor, then mSATA might be the solution for you. Like its larger counterpart, SATA, it is designed following conventions set forth by the SATA-IO Group and JEDEC, and provides an impressive storage capacity in a small setting. Here is what you need to know:   mSATA 101 mSATA—or mini-SATA—was introduced during the 2009 SATA revision. It was designed to provide SATA SSD-quality flash storage capacity and performance in...
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  MLC and SLC flash are both reliable, effective NAND flash storage solutions. The challenge that engineers and OEMs face is choosing the right type of storage for their needs. Some applications are best suited to MLC flash, while SLC is a requirement for others. If you are considering these types of flash storage, read through the following comparison of SLC vs. MLC performance:   Performance in Devices MLC flash stores two bits of data per cell, while SLC stores one. MLC uses...
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  SD card industrial grade solutions are favored by OEMs for their robust capacity, high endurance, and rugged embedded design. These cards are designed with a low pin number and a small form factor, allowing manufacturers to easily insert them into products with limited space available for data storage. Here’s a quick look at what developers can expect from Delkin’s SD card industrial grade line.   Compatibility Delkin’s SD memory cards are designed to be compatible across a wide range of host devices....
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Check out the full original post on the element14 Community Blog   Optimizing the Life of Storage Devices In our first Storage Insights post, we discussed that all SD cards are not equivalent, and how different NAND flash and card technologies can be applied to diverse applications for the same storage form factor.  In this edition, we will examine how the device is written to – in terms of both the controller technology and the application workload – can have a significant impact on...
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  Compact Flash is a popular and rugged storage solution that’s often used by OEMs, particularly in the design of portable electronics. At Delkin, you’ll find the widest available range of Compact Flash card types. We offer three series of CF cards: the C400 Series, C500 Series, and C670 Series. Each is available with single-level cell (SLC) NAND flash technology. Customization options are available to meet the unique needs of different manufacturers.   C400 Series The C400 Series and the C400 Extended Life...
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  For users in need of flash storage for an industrial application, an SLC SSD is a common choice. SSD stands for solid state drive, which is an alternative to HDDs, or hard disk drives. SSDs are considered to be more reliable than HDDs, and combining SLC NAND flash memory with SSDs offers even greater reliability. Some forms of SLC SSDs, such as SLC SATA III, meet military grade standards for reliability and are dependable for industrial functions in which...
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Thanks to simplified design requirements and a serial interface, SD cards are popular with OEMs in industrial applications. The SD Card interface follows strict guidelines, taking guesswork out of the process and ensuring smooth, reliable operations.   SD Card Interface Basics SD Cards are used for NAND flash storage in applications that use the Secure Digital, or SD interface. The SD card interface is strictly controlled by the Secure Digital Association, which set very specific rules regarding the physical interface itself and...
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SLC Compact Flash memory cards are available in a range of different capacities. Developers and OEMs who need SLC Compact Flash 8GB can select from multiple card series, including C400, C500, and C670 cards. All SLC Compact Flash products are designed with industrial grade features, including increased ruggedness and controlled BOMs.   Compact Flash 101 Compact Flash, or CF, is a line of flash memory cards that are designed to be used in a variety of consumer and industrial products. They are...
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SATA—or serial ATA—is a bridge between storage devices and host systems. It is the successor of the PATA interface and entered the market in 2003. The SATA interface is used in many SSDs and is also commonly found in HDDs and optical drives. The interface can be found in consumer devices and industrial applications in a wide range of sizes and designs. For engineers and OEMs considering the role of the SATA interface in their designs or looking for...
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For controls and automation applications, flash storage needs are complex. These applications often have to work in environments with heavy vibrations and shock as well as significant temperature fluctuations. To meet the demands of these rugged environments, developers of controls and automation applications frequently turn to industrial SD for their needs.   What is industrial SD? Industrial SD is a type of NAND flash storage. It has been developed for industrial applications that use the Secure Digital interface and have the need...
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  Because of how common consumer flash storage products are, some OEMs in need of an embedded solution for industrial applications consider them first. However, there are many reasons that opting for consumer storage for industrial flash storage is not always the right fit. Instead, engineers and OEMs can benefit from considering the usage model of the storage first when they are looking for a solution.   Consumer storage products prioritize things that are right for consumer products, such as capacity and...
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  Multiple flash memory options exist on the market, including triple-level cell (TLC), multi-level cell (MLC), single-level cell (SLC), and pseudo single-level cell (pSLC), which leaves developers facing many decisions when selecting storage for their applications. The key to choosing the right storage is understanding how flash storage works and how different storage-level effects impact the longevity and reliability of the memory. By understanding the mechanism through which flash memory functions, engineers and other developers will know what questions they...
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  For new engineers, understanding complicated embedded computing systems and memory subsystems can be a challenge. The good news is that these systems are actually easier to understand than they seem on the surface. It is simply necessary to break down the parts of the systems to understand how they work. Understanding how embedded memory systems work makes it possible for engineers and OEMs to choose the right components for their applications.   At a basic level, embedded memory contains volatile or...
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  Thanks to their versatility, exceptional data capacity, and small form factor, microSD cards are an ideal choice for many types of applications. These small, yet durable storage solutions can instantly enhance data capabilities. Here’s a quick look at the possibilities for incorporating microSD cards into OEM applications.   MicroSD Cards in the Automotive Industry Motor vehicles continue to grow increasingly complex, with onboard computing systems that demand rugged and reliable storage options. In the automotive industry, microSD cards are the ideal storage...
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  For industrial applications, like in the aerospace industry, an SSD could indeed be exposed to significantly fluctuating temperature ranges. Industrial SSDs are an appropriate choice for fields in which ruggedness and durability are crucial. Here is a closer look at operating temperature considerations for industrial SSDs.   How Temperature Affects Data Retention Each memory cell in a solid state drive has a floating gate, control gate, drain, and power source. An oxide insulation layer surrounds the floating gate to trap electrons inside...
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  One key component of industrial grade Flash storage devices is BOM control. BOM—or bill of materials—control allows OEMs and engineers to operate with confidence that devices won’t fail in the field due to parts changes. BOM control saves companies who are using industrial grade Flash memory a significant amount of time and expense associated with avoidable failures and the necessary repairs.   BOM Defined The BOM for Flash storage devices covers multiple components, including the controller, Flash, printed circuit board (PCB), discrete...
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  Embedded Universal Serial Bus, or eUSB, is a popular storage option for industrial applications. It offers reliable storage, even in taxing conditions, while only taking up a small amount of real estate. Users of eUSBs praise the small form factor and low power consumption of this kind of memory, as well as the fast access times it delivers. This eUSB wiki provides an overview of what engineers and OEMs need to know about this memory solution.   eUSB Overview eUSB is a...
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SSDs—solid state drives—typically rely on NAND Flash memory for storage. NAND Flash memory provides a non-volatile storage option with a chip capacity that rivals magnetic storage devices. NAND Flash memory is found in a huge range of products and applications, from consumer devices like digital cameras to industrial-grade gaming systems. One popular form of NAND Flash memory is SSD multi-level cell Flash, or MLC Flash. MLC Flash retains data without the need for a power source and can be...
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If you need extra storage with a small footprint, consider adding an MLC mSATA SSD to your technological toolbox. This solid state drive offers small form factor Flash storage without the added bulk of a housing case. As a result, it’s roughly the size of a business card. Here is a look at how engineers can take advantage of the many benefits of mSATA SSDs.   Use the mSATA SSD to Accelerate Computer Performance An mSATA SSD connects in a different way...
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When choosing memory for applications, one consideration engineers weigh is the number of read and write operations that are expected. In some cases, applications have very few write cycles. For example, in gaming, it is usually only necessary for software to be loaded onto the memory card, and then only read operations are required when end users play the game. Although the absence of write operations means there are fewer demands on storage, read disturb errors are still possible....
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  OEM designers face a range of options for storage. One of the most important distinctions to consider is the grade of the product. Commercial and consumer grade storage is ideal for the retail applications in which they are generally found, but industrial-level systems require industrial grade storage. Industrial grade storage provides the stability and reliability that OEMs need their applications to have in the field. Although there is a price difference between industrial grade products and commercial or consumer...
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When you’re looking for rugged storage for an industrial application, SLC SSDs are likely to be among your top candidates. SLC SSDs offer the right mix of reliability, compatibility, and capacity to work seamlessly in a range of industrial applications. Here is what engineers and OEMs need to know about SLC SSDs.   SLC Explained SLC stands for single-level cell. It describes a form of NAND Flash storage in which one bit of data is stored per cell. Restricting data storage to...
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  SATA is an interface that allows storage devices to connect to host systems. Multiple forms of this interface have been developed to allow for increasing capacity and bandwidth. Understanding how the SATA interface works with SSDs and modules and the specifications of the different versions will help you make the right storage choices for your applications. Here are a few facts about SATA to help guide you towards the best options.   The Launch of the SATA Interface Serial ATA—or SATA—was launched...
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  For industrial applications with a need for maximum storage reliability with a minimum of space, mini-SATA SSD is the answer. Mini-SATA—or mSATA—SSDs are designed to meet both SATA-IO group specifications and JEDEC MO300B industry standards. They use the SATA interface for high-speed applications and provide SLC NAND reliability, so that they give the performance and reliability necessary for industrial applications even when space is an issue.   When should industrial grade mSATA SSDs be used? Industrial grade mSATA SSDs should be used...
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Introduced back in 1994, the age of the CompactFlash form factor has not made it any less popular or desirable. In industrial applications, Industrial CompactFlash—or CF—cards offer continuous uptime, unparalleled data integrity, and extended temperature operations. Here are the answers to some of the questions that engineers and OEM designers frequently have about using industrial CF cards.   Why have industrial CF cards remained so popular? Despite an incredible number of changes and advances in technology since 1994, CF cards have endured....
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Delkin Devices was recently featured in Embedded Advisor Magazine, with the article titled “Delkin Devices: Rugged Industrial Storage Solutions that Exceed OEM Requirements” CHECK IT OUT ON EMBEDDED ADVISOR HERE or THE FULL EMBEDDDED ADVISOR DIGITAL MAGAZINE Please reach out to the Delkin Industrial team below to help with finding your industrial flash storage solution.   ...
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Engineers and OEM designers have a choice of embedded memory options for SSDs. For industrial use, most designers opt to go with SLC technology. There are several advantages of using SLC Flash SSDs in industrial applications, where rugged environments are the norm. In addition, there are multiple SLC options for embedded storage—including SATA III and mSATA—which offer reliable, industrial-grade performance. Choosing the right solution requires a great deal of research and plenty of questions. Here are the answers to...
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  Engineers and OEM designers often face a challenge of balancing budgets with system operation requirements when seeking wide temperature range SSD solutions. In industrial applications, NAND Flash SSDs often face conditions in which wide temperature ranges are common. The choice the engineers and designers have to make is how to get the longest life possible out of embedded Flash storage—given the temperature ranges—for the best possible price. There are several factors to consider when making this decision. Here are...
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Delkin Devices is proud to announce it has been recognized by Embedded Advisor Magazine as one of the Top 20 Embedded Design & Solution Providers – 2018! According to the Embedded Advisor Magazine article, “This edition of our magazine is a compilation of 20 leading embedded design and solutions firms who are generating visibility for designing cutting-edge solutions- aiming to be the catalysts in the enhancement of their clients’ business value. Through this, we strive to bridge the gap...
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General:  This article will describe NAND FLASH Controller hardware and software optimization supporting high speed data transfer.   Modes of Data Transfer Data transfer modes vary by application, and often are the key factor in overall system throughput. A properly designed industrial flash storage device will have overall higher performance by optimizing transfer speeds in each mode. Transfer modes for both read and write transfers are either sequential or random. One can probably surmise that write speeds, in particular random write speeds, are the most...
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  A common situation faced by OEMs is the challenge of balancing reliability and industrial specifications with the higher unit cost for industrial grade product. An industrial grade SD SLC Flash memory card is often simply above the price margin to justify using in an application that is priced under $200. Does this mean that OEMs have to accept that possible failures that may happen by going with a consumer grade Flash storage product if the application requires constant P/E...
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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...
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  Of the two types of NAND Flash storage devices available—MLC and SLC—technical engineers often choose SLC for high-level applications. MLC storage devices do offer the benefits of cost savings and reliability, but they have a less impressive read/write life compared to SLC Flash drives. If you’re thinking of choosing SLC thumb drives for your organization, here’s a look at the benefits you can expect.     Rugged Housing Design Industrial grade SLC thumb drives are designed to withstand challenging environments. The metal housing...
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  Because NAND Flash blocks in SSDs have a limited number of erase cycles, it’s important for the longevity of the storage to maximize the use of these cycles. Wear-leveling algorithms do just that. With wear leveling, the endurance in NAND memory is increased to make SSDs as reliable as possible. How does it work? Here are the answers to questions engineers and other operators frequently have.     What exactly is wear leveling? Within NAND storage, electrons can get trapped in the insulating...
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  Self-monitoring, analysis, and reporting technology—or SMART—is a feature found on many solid state drives (SSDs) today. The idea behind SMART SSDs is that they alerts users to signs of an impending drive failure, allowing them to take action and protect data before the failure actually occurs. All users can benefit from this kind of forewarning, and for data in industries such as healthcare and transportation, the service SMART provides is indispensible. Here are the answers to questions users frequently...
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For engineers and technical electronic OEMs, a controlled bill of materials—or Controlled BOM—is one of the most important features of an industrial  Flash storage device. A controlled BOM reduces the risk of unexpected downtime, corrupted data, and sudden device failures. Why are controlled BOMs so highly sought after? Here’s why.   What is a controlled BOM in Flash storage? For any product, a BOM is a list of the parts that were used to build that product. For Flash storage, the BOM...
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  Embedded USB—or eUSB—solid state drives have proven themselves to be a reliable workhorse across multiple sectors. This device is capable of meeting the high demands of the military, marine navigation, aerospace, and automotive industries. Since the USB interface is widely supported, it’s an ideal choice when technical engineers are looking for an easily integrated, yet rugged storage solution. Here are the answers to some of the common questions asked about eUSB specifications.   What data transfer speeds does the eUSB support? Data...
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  For embedded and industrial OEM applications, Flash storage solutions offers high performance and a wide range of customization options. Industrial Flash memory storage solutions include optimized life cycles and a controlled bill of materials to ensure reliable, ongoing compatibility without the risk of data corruption or loss. Industrial Flash solutions work with a range of host interfaces, such as PATA, SATA, SD, and USB, and they are available in a variety of capacities, Flash options, and form factors. As...
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