Working of Flash Drive
A flash drive also known as a USB drive or thumb drive, is based on NAND flash memory technology working of flash drive involves various components and process which work together to store, retrieve, retain and manage data. lets understand this working of flash drive.
NAND Flash Memory
Nand flash memory is the brain of flash drive, it is a type of non-volatile memory retains data even when the power is turned off. the NAND flash memory is made up of memory cell which are combined into pages and blocks. memory cell the basic storage unit of a NAND flash memory store data as binary code (0s and 1s) using presence or absence electrons in a cell to determines its state, and so representing the stored data. now these memory cells organized to form pages which are the smallest writable unit, several number of pages combine to form a block. for writing data entire page is needed to modify, but while erasing data entire block is required to be cleared, This architecture affects how data is written, read, and managed on the flash drive lets discuss Read, Write, and Erase Operations:-
- Write Operation: when data is written in a flash drives programming of memory cells is managed by adjusting the electron charge levels within them and this process happen at page level, and new data over write the existing content.
- Read Operation: data is read from the flash drive by measuring the electrical charge within memory cells using which we can determine the stored information, the control circuitry retrieves the data and send the data to the connected device from where user get access to their files.
- Erase Operation: the process of erasing of data require to clear entire block of memory cell , this process is mandatory when new data is needed to be written but the existing blocks are already filled , different from reading and writing erasing is the most time-consuming operation.
- Controller and Interface: each flash drive contains a controller which is responsible for managing the flow data between USB interface and NAND flash memory. the USB(Universal Serial Bus) interface allow flash drives to connect the drive to other devices which are computers, laptops or ant other compatible USB-enabled devices.
What is Flash Drive?
The flash drive, born in the early 2000s with the “DISKONKEY,” revolutionized data storage. Initially offering 8 megabytes, it evolved into a compact, portable marvel, devoid of moving parts and relying on NAND flash memory. This technology, organized into pages and blocks, facilitates read, write, and erase operations. With a USB interface and a controller managing data flow, flash drives boast simplicity, portability, and durability.