Flash Drives

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Flash Drives

• By Kim Capers

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Introduction

• A flash drive is small, lightweight, removable
  and rewritable data storage device
• Flash memory was invented by Dr. Fujio Masuoka
• The name 'Flash' was suggested by because the
  erasing process of the memory contents reminded
  him of the flash of a camera.

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What is Flash Memory?

• A rewritable memory chip that holds its content
  without power.
• Flash memory is considered a solid state storage
  device.
• Flash memory allows multiple memory locations to
  be erased or written in one programming operation
  

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Principles of Operation

• Flash memory stores information in an array of
  floating gate transistors, called "cells", each
  of which traditionally stores one bit of
  information.
• Flash memory is a type of constantly-powered
  solid state memory that can be erased and
  reprogrammed in units of memory called blocks.

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Principles of Operation

• The erasing is caused by tunneling in which
  electrons pierce through a thin dielectric
  material (material that doesnt conduct
  electricity) to remove an electronic charge from
  a floating gate associated with each memory cell.
  

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What is USB?

• USB stands for Universal Serial Bus
• USB devices can be connected to without turning
  the computer off, enabling removable devices to
  be plugged and unplugged as needed

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What is USB?

• widely used hardware interface for attaching
  external devices
• Has 3 versions
• 1.0
• 1.1
• 2.0 (high speed)

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Types of USB Ports
A
B
Mini A and B
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Types of ports

• A type are most common
• B are usually have an A port on the other
  side of the cable with the B port
• Mini types are usually used for cameras, PDAs,
  and music players.
• Flash drives use A ports.

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Bibliography

• http//computer.howstuffworks.com/flash-memory.htm
  
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_flash_drive
• http//www.answers.com/main/ntquery?sflashmemory
  gwp8