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For example, most digital cameras use NAND-Flash based digital film, as pictures are usually taken and stored sequentially. NAND-Flash is also more efficient when pictures are read back, as it transfers whole pages of data very quickly. As a sequential storage medium, NAND Flash is ideal for data storage.
NAND Flash memory is less expensive than NOR Flash memory, and can accommodate more storage capacity in the same die size.
Flash memory which stores a single bit per cell is known as Single-Level Cell (SLC) Flash.
5.0Die-Stacking and Multi-Level Cell/Multi-Bit Cell Flash technologies
In order to economically increase the amount of bit-storage that a flash memory chip can accommodate, manufacturers often utilize die-stacking and multi-level cell or multi-bit cell technologies. These technologies result in a flash memory chip having the capability to store more data in a single chip.
5.1 DIE-STACKING
Many semiconductor manufacturers use a “die-stacking” technique to double a flash memory chip’s capacity. After the semiconductor wafer fabrication process, they cut out the flash memory silicon “die” and then attach or stack two separate dies together.
For example, when a semiconductor manufacturer stacks two 128-megabit dies together, they form a single 256-megabit flash memory chip.
Die-stacking allows for cost-reduced chip alternatives to the larger-capacity, single-die chips (called “monolithic” chips). Stacking two 1-gigabit chips together, for example, typically costs far less than buying a low-volume monolithic 2-gigabit chip. The 2- gigabit chip can then be used to build a 256 MB flash card (single chip card), or a 512 MB flash card (two chips on one card).
Die-stacking is similar to the DRAM chip-stacking technology that Kingston utilizes to produce high-end server modules. As a result, Kingston’s die-stacked flash cards are reliable and deliver high performance.
5.2 MULTI-LEVEL CELL (MLC) FLASH TECHNOLOGIES
NAND and NOR Flash memory chips typically store one (1) bit value (a ‘0’ or a ‘1’) in each cell. In multi-level flash technologies, three (3) or more values are stored into each cell.
C O M M I T T E D TO M E M O R Y
