Swissbit EM-20 and EM-26 e.MMC memory modules with firmware update

Swissbit has given its e.MMC memory modules a firmware update; the robust and durable e.MMC 5.0 for industrial applications now features permanent lifetime monitoring. The updated firmware allows precise testing and extrapolation of ageing behaviour, based on the conditions of different applications. This enables prediction of the lifetime of flash memory in critical applications and minimises failures.

Swissbit offers the e.MMC 5.0, available in capacities from 4 to 64 Gb, as a freely configurable MLC version EM-20 and as a preconfigured pSLC memory EM-26. The managed NAND modules for the industrial temperature range from -40 to 85°C and are suitable as boot data carriers as well as for write-intensive applications. As components that are permanently soldered via BGA, they cannot be replaced; therefore, the prediction of the service life of an e.MMC is essential in helping to define the scope of an application.

The firmware for EM-20 and EM-26 provides a counter for target, average and maximum block erases in the MLC and pSLC regions, as well as for the number of spare blocks on each chip. It also provides access via the Extended CSD Register, which is implemented as the default procedure for each e.MMC host driver. Due to this innovation, it is possible to compare the average deletion counter with the target deletion counter after a short test phase, and to then extrapolate the results. Access via the Extended CSD Register has been chosen to provide a completely standard access path, unlike implementations that use vendor-specific access patterns.

Although the e.MMC Standard supports a basic lifetime control, it shows the percentage wear of the memory only in a coarse resolution. For extrapolations within the scope of the Standard, the test time is several weeks. The lifetime forecast for a specific application profile is fast and precise due to the Swissbit firmware, making it easy to select the capacity that is needed for the life of the application.