Selecting flash storage modules for embedded systems and industrial applications is a task that should not be taken too lightly. Some requirements are obvious like the temperature and vibration resistance specification defined by the application. Others require a strategic TCO-approach (Total Cost of Ownership): when comparing product life cycles of, for example, a medical device or a production machine with life cycles of IT equipment, it becomes apparent that it is vital to have a supplier who guarantees long-term availability of modules that were meticulously qualified for a particular application.

But there are further aspects that determine the selection of a memory module for embedded industrial applications. This white paper explains the aging effects of NAND chips and the counter measures the manufacturers of flash memory take, to expand endurance, retention, security and performance. Understanding the internal mechanisms of an SD Memory Card or an SSD is a prerequisite to ask the right questions and make a well-founded selection of storage devices matching the requirements of the application.