Delkin Blog

SD cards are a widely used form of flash memory in consumer, commercial, and industrial devices. Rugged SD cards are made specifically for industrial users who need memory that won’t quit in extreme conditions with fluctuating temperatures, shock, and vibration. SD cards have been around since 1999, and one of the reasons they have lasted in the fast-paced world of technology is that they offer superior reliability and simple product integration. Here is what you need to know.

SD cards use the Secure Digital interface.

All SD cards are designed around the Secure Digital interface. The Secure Digital Association issues very strict standards for the memory card designs that carry the SD name, so you can rely on a basic standard design across the board. Whenever and wherever you buy an SD card, the interface will be the same, which alleviates worries about compatibility for engineers who are replacing the memory cards in existing device designs. All SD cards offer the benefits of low power consumption and small size, which makes them particularly useful when you need powerful and reliable memory that only takes up a limited amount of device space.

SLC industrial SD cards are the answer for rugged use.

When you need a rugged SD card, look for one that features SLC flash memory. SLC—single level cell—memory stores one bit of data per cell, so it provides superior reliability. Industrial SLC SD flash memory can also tolerate extreme conditions. They operate in temperatures ranging from -40 degrees C to 85 degrees C, and vibration and shock will not interfere with read or write operations. When necessary, customized specs can also be accommodated for additional ruggedness. SLC flash memory also offers the highest operating speeds and longest lifespan.

Controlled BOMs are standard with industrial SD cards.

Alongside increased ruggedness, industrial SD cards also feature a controlled bill of materials, or BOM. This means that no changes to critical components of the SD card will be undertaken without a product number change and advanced notice. This prevents unexpected failures from occurring when new designs are introduced unexpectedly.

Are you looking for a rugged SD card for your industrial application? Delkin’s experts can help you decide if industrial SD cards are the right solution for you. Contact us for additional technical details and product sample requests.