1.2.2 Flash Memory

Question 1

Flash Memory

Answer 1

Flash memory is usually based on a technology called Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM). EEPROM can be used to create many flash memory devices

Flash memory is a type of memory technology that can be used to create primary or secondary storage

Question 2

SSD

Answer 2

• SSDs are often used in home computers because of their performance.
• SSDs are a form of re-writable flash storage

Question 3

Secure Digital cards (SD’s)

Answer 3

• SD cards are used to extend the capacity of devices such as:
  
  • Cameras.
  • Smartphones.
  • Tablets.
    They provide high capacity for their physical size. This is useful in these smaller devices

Question 4

ROM Chips

Answer 4

• The Read-Only Memory chips on board modern Central Processing Units (CPUs) are made from EEPROM.
• This provides the software needed for the computer to start

Question 5

Robust

Answer 5

• Flash memory is appropriate in scenarios where it might be exposed to lots of vibrations. For example:
  
  • Industrial machinery.
  • Vehicles.

Question 6

Short Lifetime

Answer 6

• Flash memory can only be flashed (re-written) a certain number of times before it starts to degrade.
• We may lose access to the drive once the flash memory has degraded past a point.
  Re-writable devices often include several blocks of flash memory. This means that only one block must be flashed at a time and so the device will last longer

Question 7

Fast Access

Answer 7

• Flash memory is significantly faster than many other storage media such as Hard Disk Drives (HDDs).
• This is partly because flash memory does not have any moving parts, and so we do not need to wait for parts to move before we can access the drive.

Question 8

Non-Volatile

Answer 8

Flash memory is non-volatile. This means that it will keep its contents once power is switched off