What Is Flash Memory?
Flash memory is non-volatile memory whose contents are retained once the power is shut off. Flash memory may be read from and written to many times and is more durable than floppy disks or compact discs.
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Significance
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Flash memory is used in a variety of devices dues to its stability, fast access, durability and energy-friendly power consumption. In addition to its use as memory cards and thumb drives, flash memory is also employed as hard-drive substitutes in the form of solid-state and hybrid drives.
History
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Dr. Fujio Masuoka invented flash memory in the early 1980s while working as a mid-level factory worker at Toshiba and presented it to the International Solid State Circuits Conference in 1985. Intel started mass producing its own version in 1987 to 1988, with Toshiba following suit later.
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Function
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Flash memory stores and transfers files between computers and digital devices. It is a form of EPROM (electrically-erasable programmable read-only memory).
Types
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Flash memory exists as compact flash (CF), secure digital (SD) media, memory sticks, multimedia cards, and xD-picture cards. PCMCIA Types 1 and 2 cards used in laptops is another form of flash memory.
Identification
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There are two main technologies used in the manufacture of high-speed flash memory: NOR and NAND. NOR flash permits random byte-level access capabilities and can be found in cell phones and BIOS chips. NAND flash memory uses page-mode data access and is used in PDAs, digital cameras, cell phones, solid state disk drives and MP3 devices.
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