IoT
[CS SD NAND] In recent years, the Internet of Things (IoT) has rapidly transitioned from a concept to an integral part of our daily lives. IoT products generally feature low power consumption, high integration, long-term stable operation, and compact size, with most adopting MCU platforms. CS Brand SD NAND has also been widely applied in the IoT field, particularly when paired with MCUs.
As we all know, the MCU (Microcontroller Unit) is a "small but mighty" microcontroller that is highly versatile. Its application range is vast, from small devices like mobile phones and smartwatches to large-scale aerospace equipment. Currently, several leading manufacturers in the market include STMicroelectronics (with the classic STM32 series), TI, NXP, Microchip, Renesas, and others.
In terms of MCU storage, traditional solutions typically involved using the built-in EEPROM or external NOR Flash. However, with the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), the application of MCUs has expanded, and increasingly, MCUs are facing the need for high-capacity storage to store audio, images (GUI), video buffers, protocol stacks, and more.
At this point, traditional EEPROM and NOR Flash are no longer sufficient. This is where the need for NAND Flash arises in MCU applications. However, when using large-capacity NAND Flash storage chips with MCUs, several new challenges emerge:
Lack of Official Support for NAND Flash: Major MCU manufacturers like ST, TI, NXP, Microchip, Renesas, etc., generally do not provide official drivers for NAND Flash. Even if some series offer support, many of the NAND Flash models listed are already discontinued.
Challenges of Writing Custom Drivers: Writing custom drivers comes with several complex issues, such as:
Bad Block Management: NAND Flash requires bad block management, and operations like EDC/ECC (Error Detection and Correction) need to be implemented.
Compatibility Issues Across Brands: Different NAND Flash brands have variations in parameters like block size, page size, and timing. These differences require reworking and fine-tuning drivers for each specific brand.
Performance and Power Efficiency Trade-off: While the theoretical functionality may be achieved, it's well-known that MCUs, designed for low power consumption, often compromise on performance. As a result, dealing with such complex driver programs becomes challenging for MCUs, leading to situations where it feels like "a small horse pulling a heavy cart."
So, for MCUs that require large-capacity storage, is there a simple, easy-to-use, stable, and reliable NAND Flash product available? The answer is yes. Let us proudly introduce CS Brand SD NAND, also known as SMD T-Card, SMD TF Card, SMD SD Card, SMD Memory Card, SMD Flash Card, SMD Card, SMD USB Flash Drive, SMD UDP, and other variants.
The architecture of SD NAND, in simple terms, uses the most durable and stable NAND Flash (SLC NAND Flash) wafers, with an erase-write cycle life of 50,000 to 100,000 times. It incorporates a Flash controller and firmware specifically designed for managing NAND Flash. Externally, it utilizes the most universally compatible SD interface (which is supported by almost all MCUs).
CS SD NAND Architecture Diagram
Package Size: The CS SD NAND comes in a WSON-8 package with dimensions of 6x8mm. It is compact in size with small pins, which not only saves PCB space but also facilitates soldering. Typically, MCU development boards are not overly complex (many are just two-layer boards), and this packaging allows the PCB design to remain simple and compact.
Capacity: Currently, we offer 128MB and 512MB capacities. In the future, we will release a 4GB version of the SD NAND, allowing customers to choose the capacity that best meets their needs and optimize costs.
Built-in Firmware: The CS SD NAND comes with built-in bad block management, average read/write algorithms, and dynamic and static EDC/ECC management algorithms. This ensures more stable product quality and helps to extend the lifespan of the product. The integrated Flash management algorithms allow the MCU to focus on its core functions without worrying about NAND Flash management.
In summary, once the MCU adopts SD NAND, it can gallop happily without being burdened. The heavy responsibility of managing NAND Flash is entrusted to the SD NAND, making it the ideal choice for large-capacity storage. For MCU-based systems, SD NAND is a perfect match, truly a case of "a talented person matched with the right partner."
