Understanding the SATA Flash Module

For high-speed solid state drives, SATA flash modules are one of the most popular options. SATA is the format through which the storage of the drive is connected to the rest of the system. The SATA flash module is widely prized for its compatibility and reliability—even in the face of the rise of newer systems like M2 and NVMe—especially for industrial grade products. If you’re shopping for storage for your industrial application and have questions about the SATA flash module, here is what you need to know.

SATA 101
Serial ATA, or SATA, was introduced in 2000 to replace PATA cables, which were becoming too aged to work effectively with new system speeds and demands. It has undergone three major revisions since that time in an effort to allow for increased speeds and reliability. These revisions allowed for improvements in storage capacities, but they did not change the design of the SATA connector, so each version is backwards compatible.

SATA can be used with hard disk drives (HDDs) or solid state drives (SSDs), but the SATA flash module is of course found in SSDs, as most SSDs are designed with flash memory. SATA flash modules can use NAND or NOR technology, but NAND flash is by far the most popular option.

SATA Flash Modules and Flash Grades

SATA flash modules are available in multiple grades to meet the needs of any product design. Industrial grade products generally rely on SLC, or single-level cell, NAND flash technology. With this flash technology, one bit of data is stored per cell. This allows for the highest available level of security, since there is the lowest risk of data corruption during read and write operations. It is also the fastest available version of flash technology. In some cases, industrial grade applications use MLC, or multi-level cell, flash. With MLC, two bits of data are stored per cell, which creates increased capacity. Some MLC flash products can be used in rugged conditions, so they can be utilized for industrial applications.

Delkin offers SATA flash modules in a variety of sizes and capacities. Our customer team is ready to help you make the right choice for your application. Contact us today.

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