Updated on May 25, 2018
Selecting the Storage Interface
The designers usually choose storage interfaces which are familiar to them and one that the software architecture specified. If SATA is not available then, PCIe, SD and USB are the best choice.
Comparing SSD Form Factors
SSDs have changed a lot over the years and now we have a variety of options available for any kind of interface. Industrial SD cards are available in standard full-size micro SD card form. USB drives are available in thumb drive form factors. It is usually available in 10 pin high and low profile or 9 pin embedded modules.
The Need for Eject-ability
The first choice for this would be CFast which supports the SATA 3G interface in CFast 1.1 and will support SATA 6G in CFast 2.0. Another SSD form factor that meets the requirement for eject-ability is the 1.8 SATA. Even though this is seen as an outdated form factor many companies are using this in order to meet serviceability needs. The final eject-able options are SD and micro SD cards. SD cards and micro SD cards are the most popular and therefore are plentiful.
Designs that Require Fixed Storage
If a fixed storage solution is required and there isn’t a restriction on size, or the design is migrating from an HDD. Socketed solutions provide longer life support and can be upgraded and serviced easily since it has a broader supplier system. Slim SATA SSDs are an attractive solution for customers who want to migrate away from the “2.5 storage” but keep the same sockets.
Embedded SSD Evolution Driven By Market-Needs
The determination of which SSD is best is dependent on the system and the application. Most SSD’s are based off of the consumers needs. MicroSSD solutions are the most space-efficient, and are fine for consumer electronic devices with a three-year life. The socket-based SSD solutions are a better choice for embedded systems that need to be deployed for five to ten years or more.
The Importance of Sourcing Embedded SSDs
The SSD must complement the other design choices like the chipset, FGA or microcontroller, the available storage application capacity requirement and software architecture.
