Advantech Industrial Storage Modules - Next Generation CF with SATA Interface

Dec. 9, 2010 - PRLog -- The Industrial Automation Group of Advantech announces the expansion of its SQFlash product line with a new CFast interface (CFA standard) flash card, the SQF-S10.  With high reliability SLC NAND flash and security features specially designed for the embedded market, the SQF-S10 provides advanced management software as a total solution for all kinds of embedded applications.

SQF-S10 is the next generation of CompactFlash (CF) cards which use SATA interface for higher performance. CFast retains the CF form-factor while increasing the performance of the host interface to accommodate the needs of faster storage. Already, the latest Intel platforms have removed the IDE interface and CFast will be one of the mainstream storage devices to replace CF cards in the future. Other benefits include: intelligent power management for lower power consumption, higher performance serial interface for faster data transfer, and widespread support for SATA’s existing infrastructure.

High Performance with Reliable Controller and Flash

SQF-S10 uses SLC NAND flash memory and is ideal for application as a Solid State Disk (SSD) and as a non-volatile DRAM solution. SSD comprises of flash memory that stores data and a controller that controls the flash memory. SQF-S10 uses the SSD controller developed by TDK which provides high-speed, high-reliability storage functions. The TDK controller spreads the wear-leveling across the entire drive allowing all blocks to participate and distributes the data so that all blocks are worn evenly. SQF-S10 SLC NAND flash memory module is rated for up to 5,000,000 program/erase cycles.

Full Series of Software Enhances Security Features of Applications

SQF-S10 provides unique security features designed specifically for embedded industrial applications. The Life Monitoring utility helps users check the health of the flash. Flash Security ID helps protect intellectual property. The Flash Lock utility locks the SQFlash to a corresponding platform so it cannot be accessed by another platform.  And, the Emergency Erase utility quickly erases all data and control firmware at any critical moment.

SQF-S10 with CFast interface decreases customers’ integration efforts and increases the reliability of applying SATA interface Flash module.  Capacities range from 2GB to 16GB.

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