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INSIDE A FLASH DRIVE

The flash drive looks small and compact. Yet it is able to store an incredibly huge amount of
information. The video below shows the three basic components of a flash drive:

1. The board holds all of the internal components and includes the USB connector. The
flash drive uses the board as a means of transferring power and data to and from the USB.
2. The NAND Flash memory storage chip is the place where all our files are stored.
3. The controller chip is the brain of the flash drive.
o Retrieves information from the drive and
o Reading/recording information on the NAND flash memory storage chip.

Now that youre familiar with the basic components of the flash drive. Lets go more in-depth
and examine the other important parts of a flash drive. Below is a picture of the 8 components of
a typical flash drive:

Credit: Picture from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_flash_drive

1. USB Connector: USB (Universal Serial Bus) acts as an interface between the NAND
flash memory chip and the computer the flash drive is plugged into.
2. USB mass storage controller (or the controller chip): explanation above
3. Test points: These are electrical pins that serve only as electrical contact points. They are
primarily used to electrically stimulate and exercise the flash drive during the assembly
process serving as a means of identifying any defects on the board. Think of it as a
cost-effective way of Quality Control.
4. NAND flash memory chip: explanation above
5. Crystal Oscillator: It is a piece of quartz crystal designed to vibrate at a very particular
frequency. It is used as a digital clock.
6. LED indicator light: Used to indicate if the flash drive is working and functioning
7. Write-protect switch: An optional component used to safeguard the information saved
on the flash drive.
8. Space to put a second NAND flash memory chip: An additional slot for manufacturers
to put another memory chip which can increase the storage capacity

(Above information taken from: Cressler, J.D. Silicon Earth: Introduction to the
Microelectronics and Nanotechnology Revolution. USA: Cambridge University Press, 2009.
Print. pp. 153-154)

Now that weve an understanding of the components of the flash drive, lets explore the NAND
flash memory technology (and its chip). The NAND flash memory chip allows the storage of
massive amounts of information and, more importantly, allows the erasure of information so that
we can delete files and put new files into the flash drive.

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