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Choosing Solid State Storage Solutions for Single Board Computers

Updated on May 24, 2018

SingleBoardComputer

Recently, as PC performance and the requirements for all related parts have increased embedded system architects have had a goal of  minimizing current and future design risks, lowering product life-cycle cost through module scalability, interchangeability and planning smooth transition from legacy to legacy-free interfaces while allowing room for growth.

Compatibility concern

To deal with this issue manufacturers have added SATA on the board as an option, but designers are not able to take advantage of the SATA technology  at this level due to the lack of incompatible approaches and standards. The use of a single HDD could  have a high chance of failure.

Four Logical Options

Compact Flash (CF)

USBFlashdisk

ProsCons
Standard factorBulky in size
Very Mature ProductSlow  interface& Slow Boot Time
Widely used by consumer applicationIDE form factor
Removable socketsNo component control  for industrial applications
Industrial embedded Solid State DiskLots of variables, which cause reliability issues

 

USB Flash Disk Module

USBFlashdiskmodule

ProsCons
Consumer InterfaceNeeds to load driver before it can be used
Built-in wear levelingSlow boot speed
Industry-standard packageSupport issues
Universally standard computer interfaceRestricted Bandwidth
Features  cross-platformNumerous USB expanders
Serial and parallel connectionsStreamline effect
Hot swappable interface
Removable and rewriteable
No moving  parts
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Disk On Chip

Disk on Chip

ProsCons
Standard form factorBulky in size
Very mature productSlow interface
Widely used by consumer applicationsIDE form factor
Removable socketsNo component control  for industrial applications
Industrial Embedded Solid-State DiskLots of variables, which cause reliability issues
Slow boot time
Limited file opening  systems (FAT files)
Various drivers needed

SATA Module

SATA Module

ProsCons
Ease of adaptation Needs to load driver before it can be used
JEDEC SODIMM socket    Slow boot speed
Fast boot time and access timeSupport issues
Ideal  for OS and needed capacity for onboard data storageCost based on DRAM price fluctuation
SATA interface speed: 2x to 4x IDE/CF,USB, or DOC flash speedAbove 2 GB density
DDR SODIMM or SATA module share same socketLimited to 2 rank at this time
Eliminates space designed with consumer storage cards; CF,SD,USB, and the like
Real estate for the existing  onboard memory can be used for other board functions
No changes to DDR SODIMM socket and pinouts design
Available with DDR2 or DDR3 technology

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