Not all flash storage products are created equal

SSDs and Flash cards are complex systems (not components) and the Nand Flash chips used have inherent weaknesses that are exposed with frequent use over time. It’s our experience that we take too many calls from end users who have specified a product that is less than durable. Added to the issue is that often failure arises when their end customers are using out ‘in the field’. So how do you avoid a potential costly and time consuming issue?

Let’s consider the main problem. During program and erase, the electrons in the Nand Flash chip are pressed through an insulator into and out of the memory cell by the application of a large voltage. Each of these PE cycles causes slight damage which over time will subsequently shorten the data retention of the cell. Error Correction Code (ECC), a function of the internal controller, will be able to correct a certain number of bit errors but this is not infinite. So this ultimately leads to a corrupted product.

In the popular form factors of 2.5” SATA and PATA SSD’s, Slim SATA / mSATA, CFast cards, Compact Flash cards, SD cards and Micro SD cards Swissbit produce some of the industries most robust Flash Storage products. This is not only because of the use of mainly SLC (single level cell) Nand Flash, the best for repeated writing and reading, but also because the usage of the latest controller technology and their own advanced firmware. There are also a host of specific methods they have to increase data retention and endurance.

Contact us to learn more in depth on how this is achieved and also to have access to Swissbit’s European Application and support team. Understand how our customers have never had a reason to contact us with regards to a failure of a Swissbit Flash Storage Product.