Storage Insights #7 - SD Card Technology Advantages

15 Nov 2019

In Storage Insights #6 we dove deeper into SATA (Serial ATA), discussing layering and compatibility. In Storage Insights #7 we have a link to a video presentation that details several technology advantages of industrial SD cards.

SD cards, or Secure Digital cards, are a great choice for flash memory needs. Both SD and microSD cards are used in a variety of retail and industrial applications (see Delkin Information page on memory applications). However, not all SD cards are created equal (see Storage Insights #1). They feature a variety of flash types and capacities (CF/SD Storage Insights #3, eMMC Storage Insights #5, SATA Storage Insights #6), so selecting the right card or memory type for your needs is an important part of ensuring that your devices function as reliably and efficiently as possible.

This Brain Shark presentation simplifies the process of selecting the right SD card. This information will also help you better understand the SD card technology advantages offered by Delkin Devices .

Why Consider SD and microSD Cards?

There are several reasons why SD and microSD cards are so popular. One is their small physical size. Today’s devices are small, and there is a continual move for them to get even smaller. SD and microSD cards are small but powerful, so you get the memory you need in a format that fits a small device. They also offer low power consumption and good data rates. In addition, they are easy to integrate into nearly any device. This makes them a clear choice for many engineers.

What Are the Different Types of Flash Technology?

SD and microSD cards may feature SLC, MLC, or TLC flash. Single-level cell, or SLC, flash has the highest endurance level and is capable of 60,000 Program-Erase (P/E) cycles. MLC, or multi-level cell, flash is a mid-range option that is capable of about 3,000 P/E cycles. With TLC, or triple-level cell, flash, you can expect about 1,500 P/E cycles. SLC is used in most industrial applications. MLC is found in some industrial and some commercial applications. TLC is used in consumer devices. We went into some detail in Storage Insights #1 - Why Not All SD Cards are Created Equal.

What Should I Consider When Picking an SD Card?

There are several factors to consider when picking an SD or microSD card. The required density, the nature of the data being stored, your budget, and the device operating conditions are all important factors to keep in mind. For industrial applications with mission critical data, an SLC based card is likely to be the best option.

To learn more:

Look for the next Storage Insights post soon, if you missed the previous Storage Insights, check them out here:

Storage Insights #1 - Why Not All SD Cards are Created Equal

Storage Insights #2 - Optimizing your Storage Device

Storage Insights #3 -Technical Guide for CompactFlash (CF) and Secure Digital (SD) Cards

Storage Insights #4 - NAND Flash Based SSD Drives and the Flash Controller

Storage Insights #5- Guide to Embedded Multimedia Card (eMMC)

Storage Insights #6 - Guide to SATA (Serial ATA)

Also, feel free to reach out to Delkin with your storage questions!

Delkin Devices or https://www.delkin.com/contact/

From the original Delkin document:

https://www.delkin.com/blog/sd-card-technology-advantages/