Resources
Adtron is a leader in the development of new and innovative data storage products for applications that go beyond the desktop and climate-controlled environments. The intent of this web site section is to offer you some of the knowledge and insight that we have gained over the years. Check back regularly to discover new white papers, executive summaries, article reprints, and application notes that may be of interest to you.
White Papers
| Managing Obsolescence in Data Storage | The industrial, commercial, and military markets are vulnerable to the impact of data storage model obsolescence and failing legacy disk drives. This paper evaluates the data storage obsolescence issues facing OEMs and the traditional approaches that have been employed to mitigate the impact of obsolescence on customer satisfaction, cost, and long-term product quality. The secret to managing data storage obsolescence may be found in new technologies and developing vendor partnerships that help protect end user investments in legacy equipment. Download |
Brochures
| Leadership in Military COTS | What is the best data storage solution for defense and aerospace operations? You have two basic choices: magnetic devices, such as tape and hard disks, and solid state disk and tape drives. To discover the best choice, download this brochure. Download |
Executive Summaries
| Flash Disk Quality: Understanding Data Integrity and Reliability Issues | Flash memory is currently regarded as the most reliable form of data storage media. In contrast to its counterpart, the hard drive, flash media performs well in a much more hostile environment. This document provides an overview of flash reliability management and the methods used to ensure high reliability. In addition, Adtron's quality and testing procedures are briefly discussed. Download |
Technical Notes
| Flash Disk: Flash Write Endurance | The Adtron flash memory qualification process requires a validation of the flash memory manufacturer specification for write endurance. To accomplish this, Adtron developed a suite of software utilities that may be configured to focus high duty cycle erase/write activity to specific areas of the flash memory. This document provides a brief test summary, description of the write testing process, and the accumulated results. The write endurance testing runs continuously. Download |
| Flash Disk: Accelerated Life Testing | This document summarizes the results of a reliability verification program focused at establishing empirical MTBF for Adtron flash disks. In September of 2000 Adtron engaged an independent consulting firm to define an accelerated life test program to test the validity of MTBF predictions for flash disks that were calculated using MIL-HDBK-217F and Belcore standards. Download |
Articles
| Flash Disk Reliability Begins at the IC Level | COTS Journal - January 2004 - Verification of flash quality is a shared responsibility between the flash chip manufacturer and flash storage system manufacturer. Once fully configured, the flash disk system must be thoroughly characterized by testing to exercise the flash failure modes and ensure flash disk reliability. This article, published in COTS Journal explores flash reliability beyond the manufacturer's data sheet. Download |
| Matching Storage Suitability to the Application | RTC Magazine - March 2003 - Manufacturer's spec sheets do not tell the whole story of how storage devices will behave under the demanding conditions of embedded applications. Careful analysis and evaluation will help match the device to the application and ensure reliability. Download |
| Storage Blade Subsystems | CompactPCI Systems Magazine - March 2003 - There are several options for providing storage capabilities in a cPCI-based system. Initial system design always includes CPU power, number and type of I/O channels, form factor, electrical power, and operating system considerations. Storage requirements are frequently addressed last and then viewed as a capacity issue. This article discusses the various direct-attached and network-attached storage systems and the desirable characteristics that should be used to define the right solution for your application. Download |
Presentations
| Data Storage: Data Flight Recorders | ITC 2004 - San Diego, CA - October 2004 - A paper presented by Alan Fitzgerald, Adtron Chief Technology Officer. Flight data recorders must operate in the most demanding environments. Data storage technologies have advanced beyond magnetic media used in tape and disk drives to the functional storage equivalents built using flash memory. Flash-based storage delivers high immunity to shock, vibration and wear out. Additionally, flash exceeds the performance and security found in disks and tapes. Open |
| Data Storage: Industrial Automation | ISA Expo - Houston, TX - October 2003 - Alan Fitzgerald, Adtron Chief Technology Officer, presented a paper on selecting the right storage device for the application. The presentation covers many aspects of reliability and durability in comparison to hard disk drives. Open |
