flash memories They have become one of the most important elements today for most users, this is how they have become a simple and easy-to-use tool for store and transport documents or files with great ease.
They are currently used in USB drives and memory cardswhere it is a memory that can be reprogrammed and deletedallowing its users to be able store, modify and delete all kinds of information. Because of this, many people use them to transfer files from mobile to computer or vice versa.
Taking into account its benefits and importanceyou can say that you are flash memories have gradually replaced others recording systems because it presents a compact design and a large space storage. Accordingly, here we explain a little more about this unit and what its function is.
What is a flash memory and what is it for in computing?
The flash memory is a device capable of storing large amounts of information and files in a small space, being this way it allows reading and writing of multiple positions by means of a series of electrical impulses. Thanks to all this, it allows to achieve higher operating speeds compared to EEPROM technologywhich only allows acting on a single memory cell in each of programming operations.
In other words, this memory is a chip which is mainly used to be able to store and transfer data between different digital devices, such as from a computer to a smartphone or tablet. It can be reprogrammed or erased electronically. Therefore, these flash drives can be found in MP3 players, digital cameras, solid state drives, USB sticks, among other.
In this way, these units are a different type of EEPROM, which can be programming in big blockswhere they incorporate the use of floating gate transistors that allows fulfilling the function of power save information and data on a large scale.
How do file systems work in flash memory?
These units are characterized mainly by offering a high memory density, This is because they only require a few components for each of memory cells. The structure of this cell is very similar to the EEPROMbut each of flash memory cells has a basic channel with its source and drain electrons that are separated by each one of the channels.
About each of the channels of the cells of this unit one is found gate floating which is separated from the channel by an extremely thin oxide layer. The quality of this layer is very important for what will be the correct functioning of the memory.
Above the floating door is control gatewhich is used to power charge gate capacitance during write phase. All this ensures that the operation is adequate.
As usual, memory cells They work by storing charge in the floating gate, while cell programming involves a process known as “Injection of hot electrons”. Now when programming the control gate is connected to a programming voltage. While the drain will have a voltage of approximately half of this value when the source is grounded.
voltage is coupled to the floating gate by means of the dielectric systemwhich allows raising the floating gate to the programming voltage and thus reversing the channel below. All this generates as a result that the channel electrons can get one higher speed of drift and a greater Kinetic energy. Thus offering better results and better performance.
What are the uses you can give to a flash memory?
One of the advantages of this storage unit is that it can be used in different ways, this will offer its users to get a better performance and get the most out of memory.
Therefore, here we explain what are the main uses that you can give to this unit:
as hard drive
Being an extremely small storage unit offers an advantage that is portabilityThis allows it to be taken anywhere without any problem.
Despite being small in size, it has a large amount of space for store information and file. This will give you the ability to use it as a external hard drive where you can save information, programs and data of the computer in order to have access to them whenever you need them no matter where you are.
This is how they are currently being manufactured hard drives with flash memories 320GB NAND or with very similar sizes. However, these hard drives have a drawback when compared to traditional hard drives and it is that they present a limited number of hits.
as ram
Another advantage that we can find with flash drives is that we can use it as a RAMthat is to say that it will allow you to access the information stored in it more quickly, having a shorter waiting time than you can have with other devices.
As we already know RAM memories they are generally temporary form, since when turning off or restarting the system they are blank again, thus offering a space available all the time. So if you have a flash drive you can start taking advantage of it and use it as a kind of RAM in your computer.
This is how, since 2012, several attempts have been made to use these flash memories as RAMbut so far they are still slower than the conventional DRAM. However, these They use less energy than conventional ones and are much cheaperwhich offers an advantage for its users.
NAND and NOR How are the main types of flash memory different?
exist two types of flash memories currentlythese are known as NAND and NOR, each of them differ depending on the needs of the user. Therefore, you must take into account what each of them consists of so that you can use the correct type.
In the case of NOR It is a little slower at the moment of wanting save or delete the information stored in itbut allows random access storage. That is, it uses the address and the complete data buses and the information contained there does not have to be updated from time to time.
In the case of file systems that work with the NOR types incorporate different mechanisms that are unnecessary for the nand typewhich requires additional mechanisms, which, like the previous case, result unnecessary for the NOR type.
While the nand type its alot faster than NORbut it doesn’t use the random access memory. Therefore, the use of each of them will basically depend on the needs of the user. If what you are looking for is a replacement of ROM chips then it is best to use the NOR version. But in case you want replace memory cards it is best to use the NAND type.
What kind of flash memory do USB devices use?
usb sticks or also known as USB stick, external memory, flash drive or drive usually use a device data storage who uses NAND flash memorywhich allows save data and information at a higher speed.
It’s like this flash memory type that they use allows them what is reading and writing multiple positions during the same operation. All this is accomplished through electrical impulses that allow to achieve the necessary speeds.
This type of NAND memories generally work differently, as they often use a injection tunnel for writing and erasing tunnel. In addition, by using another type of gate, it costs much less than NOR gates, as well as being more resistant to operations.
It is also important to mention that the great expansion that NAND is due to its easy wipe mechanismwhich makes it more cost effective device creation with this kind of memory card.
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