Memory
TEn TipS fOr pOrTabLE MEMOry SELECTiOn
Avoid costlymistakes associated with integrating consumermemory in embedded products by reading Nexus GB's top tips on the subject
When anOEMproduct requires a portablememory device, it is tempting to consider consumermemory solutions like USB flash drives, secure digital (SD) and secure digital high capacity (SDHC) memory cards or XD camera cards. This is not surprising, as these devices arewidely available but be aware of the potential pitfalls of these consumer focused products. Beloware the top ten factors that OEMsmust consider:
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Look formemory guaranteed towork in theOEMdevice. Consumermemorymay fit physically, but itmay notwork for technical reasons. As a result, it is important to pre-qualify those consumer products that dowork. This can eliminate themost compelling reason to use consumermemory - widespread availability.
Look for longevity in the product life cycle. Consumer memory becomes obsoletewhen themanufacturer ceases production. Industrialmemorymanufacturers however, understand that your productmay need continual maintenance over a long period.
Choose a controlled connector so only approved products fit. If you design in USBs or camera cards, users can plug in untested, unqualified consumermemory. This isn’t the case with a specialistmemory key or token.
Choose the right amount ofmemory. If your application only requires 4MB ofmemory, there is no need to buy a device that provides 32GB.Over specification can be expensive.
Do your products operate in a harsh environment? Both the memory device and themating receptaclemay need to be immersion rated, produced for a specific temperature, shock or electro static discharge (ESD) rating.
Triple check themated cycle life. If your product is used ten times a day, a typical USB connectorwill last only fivemonths. Thismay be great for the spare parts business, but itwill leave end users pretty unhappy. Always ensure the life cycle of the productmatches its predicted usage.
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Check product support for industrialOEMS. Consumer memorymanufacturers focus on consumerOEMs and industrialmemorymanufacturers on industrialwork, so it’s vital that youmatch your own organisation to the manufacturer correctly.
Use formfactor to discourage theft. USB drives and SD cards are targets formisuse and theft, but a stock design froma specialist portablememory supplier isn’t. If there is the possibility of product or data theft in your application, this should be a key consideration.
Use formfactor to improve data
security.Most industrial products do not plug into standard PC ports,while USBs and memory cards aremade for this purpose. Itmay be beneficial to your security strategy if lost products can’t be accessed without specialist equipment.
Watch out for changing standards. USB and SD standards can and do change, drivenmostly by the consumermarket, and changes can adversely affect embeddedOEMswho adopt the products. For instance SDHC cards use a different addressing method to SD cards,meaning embedded devices using SD can’t also use its successor, even though they fit in the receptacle.
As distributor of Datakey Electronics rugged portablememory
products, Nexus GB, can help. Operations director of Nexus GB,Michael Barrett, explained:
“Many of the Datakey productswe supply have been available, unchanged for over 15 years, some for over 20 years, and they are still available today.We are constantly approached by thosewho have fallen foul of the temptation to use consumermemory andwhilewe are delighted to help,wewould rather they save capital by choosing the right product in the first instance.”
www.nexusgb.co.uk www.electronics-sourcing.co.uk
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