|
|
FlashFX* technology is based upon the Variable Block Flash format (VBF) used in CardTrick version 3.x released in 1996.
Datalight FlashFX* software makes flash memory appear to the operating system as a disk drive, thereby creating a flash disk. The standard FlashFX software Development Kit supports many popular operating systems, all popular flash components and all 80x86 microprocessors. Because FlashFX is written in portable ANSI C code and has all modification code clearly designated, you can port FlashFX to almost any operating system and microprocessor with the FlashFX Porting Kit.
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR FLASH COMPONENTS
FlashFX wear leveling algorithms assure even usage of flash parts maximizing flash longevity. Reduced code overhead and data requirements provide more flash memory and RAM for your applications and data storage. With FlashFX, write interruption recovery prevents corruption of the flash disk if a battery fails, a power cord is disconnected or the flash media is removed while writing data. Since there is no faster flash file system on the market, you won't experience unnecessary slow downs in reading and writing to your flash media with FlashFX.
Flash memory is similar to EEPROM except that it is faster to update, requires significantly less power, is higher in density, as well as more reliable and less expensive than EEPROM. Flash memory combines the advantages of ROM and RAM. Like ROM it is non-volatile and so is well suited to harsh environments. Such environments are typical for embedded systems and consumer devices where power interruptions, dust and extreme temperatures cause hard drives and other rotating media to fail. Like RAM, flash memory can be written to repeatedly with new data. Flash memory's extremely low power requirements (3.3 volts) make it ideal for use in mobile products.
In addition to all its benefits, flash memory has unique characteristics that require special handling by the software. Flash memory can be written to on a bit-by-bit basis but must be erased in large blocks. These erasable blocks range from 4K to 128K in size and all bytes of a block must be erased, set to their "1" state, in a single erase operation. That is, individual bits can be written to "0" but cannot be restored to "1" without erasing the entire block. Write and erase operations can be extremely slow when compared to RAM. Eight microseconds is typical for writing a word of data and an erase operation typically takes on second. Flash components also have a limited lifetime before they wear out (typically 100,000 write/erase cycles per block). Read/write/erase speeds are highly dependent upon the particular flash component.
Some applications, such as BIOS and/or code storage (XIP), do not require sophisticated software to manage the flash memory. These types of flash applications may be updated only a few times in the lifetime of the these applications, the flash memory is not emulating a disk and the entire contents of the flash are usually erased and replaced with a new image. Consequently, a flash file system such as that provided by FlashFX, may be of little use when the flash component is being used as a ROM.
FLASHFX
Other uses of flash memory include combined ROM emulation/data storage, EEPROM emulation, SRAM emulation and disk emulation. In these applications, some of the information will usually be maintained on the flash while other portions of the information are updated constantly. These applications must use a flash file system. FlashFX over-comes the difficulties presented by the unique characteristics of flash technology. FlashFX provides logical-to-physical address translation allowing an application to use the flash component in the same way it would a floppy or hard disk drive.
A SAFE SOLUTION
Flash memory is especially suited for harsh environments and mobile applications, where rugged use may lead to problems which cause power interruptions. Batteries may wear down, a power cord can be removed or a system may be dropped causing the battery or flash media to be disconnected. Normally, power interruptions such as these, during the write or erase operations, can cause the data to become corrupted. The Write Interruption Recovery feature of FlashFX ensures that your flash disk will always recover and never be compromised. Each critical point is individually tested thousands of times. Additionally thousands of random write interruption recoveries are performed before each release.
Each block of flash memory can be written to and erased typically 100,000 times. Some flash components, however, might endure up to 1,000,000 cycles before wearing out. Since there are usually some blocks with the flash component that are erased and rewritten much more frequently than others, FlashFX moves new information around within the flash component to wear the blocks evenly. Conversely, there are usually some blocks of data that never need to be updated. These "static" blocks are also tracked and moved to other physical locations so that they are also worn evenly. In this manner, FlashFX can extend the life of the flash component many times beyond the capability of less complex wear leveling algorithms.
NONE FASTER
FlashFX reads, writes and erases flash memory at rates approaching the theoretical limits of the flash components. Typical read speeds are 2 Megabytes per second while typical write speeds are 20-100 Kilobytes per second.
FlashFX uses a patent-pending technology called Variable Block Flash format (VBF). While the minimum sector size (granularity) that can be allocated varies from 512 bytes down to 64 bytes, VBF can allocate data blocks of up to 64 kilobytes in size. This means that your performance is enhanced significantly due to better use of resources for tracking data.
MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY
The FlashFX Device Interface can be modified to work with the operating system you choose. The FlashFX OEM Layer can be customized to support your hardware platform. New Flash Interface Modules (FIMs) are conveniently added to support new flash components. The FlashFX Porting Kit provides full source code including the patent-pending VBF.
PORTABLE
FlashFX is written entirely in ANSI C code. With the FlashFX Software Development Kit, only a small portion of the FlashFX software is needed in source code, allowing easy configuration of FlashFX to your system. All other portions of FlashFX are in object code. Most common NOR flash components and several NAND flash components are supported.
The FlashFX Porting Kit includes all source code as well as documentation and examples for porting FlashFX to your environment. You can port FlashFX to any modern CISC or RISC processor.
Binaries for several operating systems are available including DOS, WinLight*, Windows*, Windows* 95, Windows NT*, Windows *CE and QNX.
1.Check out our Website at www.datalight.com for a complete and up-to-date list of the flash components supported by FlashFX, as well as other operating systems and microprocessor ports completed. |
