SST develops FlashMate hybrid hard drive
by Jan Harris
Flash memory specialist, SST (Silicon Storage Technology),and Insyde Software Corp, have developed FlashMate hybrid hard drive technology, which allows data to be read, even when the computer is switched off.
The technology combines hardware, firmware and software in a system application subsystem which manages a laptop’s hard drive.
It allows a laptop user to access data on the hard disk drive, such as MP3 files or emails, with having to turn the computer on.
Users can perform functions such as transferring files, accessing contact details from Outlook or listening to an MP3.
FlashMate can work with Windows Vista ReadyDrive and serve as nonvolatile cache for the hard disk drive. This allows a standard hard disk drive to function as a hybrid drive.
Hybrid drives have both a hard disk drive and a NAND flash drive which serves as a data cache.
Using the NAND flash memory buffer when the system is active means that the laptop’s hard drive is rarely in operation.
This results in improved reliability, reduced power consumption, increased performance, and faster boot and resume times.
FlashMate takes this idea further and allows laptop users to access data on the hard disk via the laptop’s USB interface, without having to engage the CPU.
Access to data is faster, because the user does not have to wait for the computer to boot up.
Products with FlashMate technology should be available from the second quarter of 2008.
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