Thursday, July 9, 2009

Components of a USB flash drive

Components of a USA flash drive can be divided into two types.
1)Essential Components: Must exist in flash drive.
2)Optional/Good to have Components: Not essential component but it makes good to look and feel.

1)Essential Components:
a)A USB Connector: The USB connector is covered a cap and after removing cap it is connected to host computer. It is male type port and acts as an interface to transfer data.

b)USB Mass storage controller: It contains a small microcontroller with a small amount of on-chip ROM and RAM. If you use transparent flash drive cover then you can see it as the smaller black coloured portion.

c)NAND flash memory chip: It is used to store data. If you use transparent flash drive cover then you can see it as a bigger black coloured chip.

d)Crystal oscillator: It produces the device's main 12 MHz clock signal and controls the device's data output.

2) Optional Components:
a)Jumpers and test pins: It is a component to test flash drive during manufacturing.

b)LEDs: We can see small light in the flash drive while it is performing read/write. That part is lighted because of LEDs.

c)Write-protect switches: A switch by which we can control whether data can be written to flash drive. Switch on or off controls write to the flash drive. Very effect whenever you need plug flash drive to a computer(to read contents from the flash drive) that have viruses. :)

d)USB connector cover or cap: A cap which is connected to the USB connector in no operation state which reduces the risk of damage and prevents the ingress of fluff or other contaminants, and improves overall device appearance.

e)Unpopulated space: A space to which we can add another memory chip.

f)Key Chain: Some usb flash drive can contain a key chain which helps to facilitate transport.

g)Some flash drive also offer expandable storage.

After all, you can have these many features with a customizable design. You can get a Personalized USB Drive from flashdealer.com and can design your usb flash drive whatever you want.

1 comment:

  1. Thanks. Within a short post you have cleared everything.

    ReplyDelete