USB FLASH DRIVE

A USB flash drive is a data storage device that includes flash memory with an integrated Universal
Serial Bus (USB) interface. USB flash drives are typically removable and rewritable and physically
much smaller than an optical disc (OD). Most weigh less than 30 grams. As of January 2013, drives
of up to 512 gigabytes (GB) were available. A one-terabyte (TB) drive was exposed at the 2013
Consumer Electronics Show and became available later that year. Storage capacities as large as
2 TB are planned, with continuous improvements in size and price per capacity expected. Some USB
drives allow making 100.000 write/erase cycles, depending on the exact type of memory chip used,
and a 10-year shelf storage time.
USB flash drives are often used for the same purposes for which floppy
disks or CDs were used, for example, storage, back-up and transfer of
computer files. They are smaller, faster, have thousands of times more
capacity and are more durable and reliable because they have
no moving parts. Additionally, they are immune to magnetic
interference (unlike floppy disks), and unharmed by surface scratches (unlike CDs).
A flash drive consists of a small printed circuit board carrying the circuit elements and a USB
connector, insulated electrically and protected inside a plastic, metal, or rubberized case which can
be carried in a pocket or on a key chain, for example. The USB connector can perfectly be protected
by a removable cap or by retracting into the body of the drive, although it is not likely to be damaged
if unprotected. Most flash drives use a standard type-A USB connection allowing connection with a
port on a personal computer, but drives for other interfaces also exist.
USB flash drives draw power from the computer via the USB connection. Some devices combine the
functionality of a digital audio player with USB flash storage; they require a battery only when used to
play music.




Uses

Personal data transport
The most common use of flash drives is to transport and store personal files, such as documents,
pictures and videos. Individuals also store medical information on flash drives for emergencies and
disaster preparation.

Backup
Some value-added resellers are now using a
flash drive as part of small-
business turnkey (future project) solutions
(e.g., point-of-sale systems). The drive is used as
a backup medium: at the close of business each
night the drive is inserted, and
a database backup is saved to the drive.
Alternatively, the drive can be left inserted
through the business day, and data regularly updated. In either case, the drive is removed at night
and taken offsite.
This is simple for the end-user.
The drive is small and convenient, and more likely to be carried off-site for safety.
The drives are less fragile mechanically and magnetically than tapes.
The capacity is often large enough for several backup images of critical data.
Flash drives are cheaper than many other backup systems.

Flash drives also have disadvantages. They are easy to lose. And it may be easy for unauthorized
people to make backups. Another small problem with flash drives is that they have only one tenth the
capacity of hard drives manufactured around their time of distribution.




Audio players
Many companies make small solid-state digital audio
players, essentially producing flash drives with sound
output and a simple user interface. Examples include
the Creative MuVo, Philips GoGear and the first
generation iPod shuffle. Some of these players are true
USB flash drives as well as music players; others do
not support general-purpose data storage. Other applications requiring storage, such as digital voice
or sound recording, can also be combined with flash drive functionality.
Many of the smallest players are powered by a permanently fitted rechargeable battery, charged from
the USB interface. Fancier devices that function as a digital audio player have a USB host port.

USB flash drives represent a large part of the storage device market, which is also occupied by hard -
disk drives and SD memory cards. Often, buyers must make the choice between these three devices
when looking for a way to store and transfer computer data. Each of these products suits different
needs, but USB flash drives offer a certain number of advantages when compared to hard-disk drives
and SD memory cards.
Because USB drives contain no moving parts, they are more durable than hard drives, and it is this
durability, combined with their very small size that makes them easy to carry around. USB drives also
provide transfer speeds and memory capacity that equal or surpass those of other storage devices.
This enables users to move data around more quickly and to store a large number of media files,
computer files, and even programs on USB drives. USB flash drives do this all while consuming less
power than standard hard-disk drives. Plus, USB drives can be connected to essentially any type of
computer. As a result, USB drives offer many advantages not only to individual buyers but also to
business owners, who often use these devices for promotional purposes.