Solid+state+backing+storage

__ Solid Storage Backing Devices __

The term 'solid- state' basically means **'no moving parts'**. Solid-state storage devices are based on ** electronic circuits ** with ** no moving parts. Solid state storage devices use a special type of memory called flash memory. Flash memory can be found in many data devices.. **

__ Flash memory cards __ Flash memory is a non-volatile computer storage that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. It is a technology that is primarily used in memory cards and USB flash drives for general storage and transfer of data between computers and other digital products.

Flash memory was invented by Dr Fujio Masuoka while working for Toshiba circa in 1980. The name 'flash' was recommended by Dr Masuoka's co-worker. Intel Corporation saw potential in the invention and introduced the first commercial NOR (a type of non-volatile storage technology that does not require power to retain dat) type flash chip in 1988. Though later cards moved to less expensive NAND (faster than regular Flash, although the general characteristics still hold) flash. Toshiba announced NAND flash at the 1987. NAND flash is similar to other secondary storage devices such as hard disks and optical media, and is thus very suitable for use in mass-storage devices such as memory cards.

__Memory sticks or Pen drives__ Memory sticks are ** non-volatile **, ** random-access ** storage devices.

Each of these small devices has some ** flash memory ** connected to a ** USB interface **. Plug it into your computer and it appears as a drive. You can then add files, erase files, etc. Trek Technology and IBM began selling the first USB flash drives in 2000. It became available on December 15, 2000,and had a storage capacity of 8 mega byte, more than five times the capacity of the then-commom floppy disk.

In 2002 Netac technology, a Shenzen consumer electronics company which claims to have invented the USB flash drive in the late 1990s,was granted a Chinese patent for the device.

__ Conclusion __

Solid-state storage media lags behind electromechanical ( mechanical device that is operated by electricity) drives in terms of storage capacity. As of this writing, flash memory USB devices can store up to approximately 1 gigabyte (GB), whereas hard drives commonly hold 100 GB or more. The cost per megabyte is higher for solid-state storage devices than for electromechanical drives. However, the price gap appears to be narrowing, and the market for solid-state storage is growing. Many businesses and home users who have multiple computers favor solid-state storage devices for transferring data among their machines, because it is convenient, compact, and fast.