Transcend continues their effort into the embedded systems applications with their most recent announcement of the SATA Flash Module. The high-speed SATA flash modules specifically designed for use in thin clients, blade servers, ultra-compact sub-notebooks and space-limited industrial installations allows Transcend to offer up their lightweight and compact SATA flash memory modules.

With solid-state flash memory being non-volatile and more robust than spinning hard disk solutions, it makes the SATA flash module ideal for harsher environments with more demanding applications, such as embedded systems, medial instruments, factory automation equipment, network infrastructure and other industrial equipment.

What I like most about flash memory modules is the low power consumption, shock and vibration resistance, longer data retention durability and instant access time (no spin up or seek times we traditionally see in HHDs).

Transcend’s SATA flash modules are offered in 1GB and 2GB capacities, in both vertical and horizontal versions to satisfy industrial application requirements.

So what is the best way to re-format your flash memory card in RAW format?

Unfortunately Windows doesn’t recognize RAW partitions as valid memory…so trying to use Windows utilities just wont work. Windows wont format a card unless it’s in a way that Windows can understand - this would be FAT or FAT32 format for a flash memory card.

Sure, you can use Windows utilities to re-format the RAW card into a FAT or FAT32 format, but keeping your RAW format can only be done one way.

The most common use of RAW is with digital cameras, and with every digital camera you have the option to re-format the card. This is the process you should use. Depending on your camera performance this format process might be quick or might take some time. So be prepaired.

Most cameras will recognize a flash memory card that is FAT, FAT32 or RAW format so you should be fine regardless of the re-format you just [accidentily] performed!

Here is an out-of-the-box solution for turning those high capacity Compact Flash memory cards into SATA hard drives. The CF to SATA hard drive adapter is ideal for using CF as a bootable device containing OS or application data.

The adapter is compatible with Compact Flash type I and II and will provide a full functioning SATA interface.

The adapter card is also fully compatible with Windows XP, Vista and Linux - in case the application is something other than embedded.

The CF to SATA adapter is $25 without power supply and $35 with power supply so a reasonable price for what you get. (more…)

What you are looking at is an IBM hard disk from 20 years ago which holds 1GB of data. Notice the top left, that’s a 1GB flash memory card.

What will 1GB look in another 20 years?

Source: Giz via Spluch

Several days ago two leaders in memory manufacturing announced a partnership in development of solid state memory hard drives. PQI (Power Quotient Int’l) and TDK will be holding hands all the way to the bank.

The new company will

focus on storage solutions for industrial and commercial use PCs/Systems. Its initial capital is for PQI 40% and TDK 60%.

The specific terms of the agreement are confidential. As long-term partners, TDK and PQI have always provided excellent and quality industrial solutions to customers around the globe.

To further strengthen this relationship, TDK seeks to comprehend their patented technologies as their competitive advantages. PQI, on the other hand, will utilize their industrial storage research & development with their channel and sales capabilities to expand SSD from industrial to commercial use.