How Does a Flash Drive Work ?
| In the age of information and technology, we need to store all kinds of file and data. Computer gadget like USB flash drive is proven to be useful, because it is portable and easy to use. An USB flash drive is made of following components: flash memory, USB Interface, MOSFET, Floating gate Transistor. |
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Flash memory :
By definition, flash memory is a non-volatile computer ship. The technology of flash memory is widely used in all kind of electronic equipments like digital cameras, home computer, Xbox, and even in computer. The nifty thing about flash memory is that it can be reprogrammed and erased electronically. Flash memory is a type of EEPROM(electrically erasable programmable read-only memory).
Because flash memory is non-volatile, flash drive can work without backed up batteries. Electronic gadgets which use flash memory like flash drive can work on low power. They can undergo harsh condition if it is needed. The technology of flash memory is proven to be useful for fast data transfer and storage. Flash memory is the most crucial component of the USB flash drive.
USB Interface:
The USB interface is the component that connects flash drive to your PC. Almost all computers have built-in USB port inside the tower of the computer. In fact, most computers now have many USB ports to support USB interface.
Most USB interface today is usually built with standard type A receptacles. When USB interface is connected to USB port, data can be extracted from block-structured logical unit.
MOSFET:
MOSFET is an abbreviation for Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor. The function of MOSFET is to switch and amplify electronic signal. Inside a MOSFET, there is a metal gate which acts as conducting channel between contacts.
Floating-gate Transistor :
Instead having one gate like MOSFET, floating-gate transistor has two gates: control gate and floating gate. The control gate is lying on top of the floating gate and is insulated with an oxide layer. Floating gate transistor functions as a memory cell of a USB flash drive.
How does flash drive work? :
Most operating systems today can detect flash drive. Once it is inserted to your computer through the USB port, drivers will be automatically detected and installed. After that, your flash drive is ready to store files and data.
The data is stored inside the memory cells which make up a 1 or 0 binary code. If there is an electron store inside the memory cells, floating gate transistor will trap the electron inside the oxide layer to cause voltage difference.
When you want to erase data, a process called “Quantum tunneling” is used. Strong opposite charge is applied to floating gate transistor to release electron through oxide insulator. All the memory cells are set to “1” in binary code.
Today flash drives can handle huge number of erases. However, it is not like that in the earlier version. In the past, the older flash drive won’t last against too may erase cycles. Therefore, it is not suitable to store information which must be updated often. To fix this problem, engineer found a way to rewrite data into physical memory locations. As a result, modern flash drives are now much efficient and last against high number of erases.
Thank to the technology advancement over the years. USB flash drives have bigger storage capacities at much lower price.
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