A complete guide to eMMC Flash Memory A complete guide to eMMC Flash Memory

Among the various important storage medias for a computer system, eMMC remains of great importance. Also known as an Embedded Multi-Media Controller, it has a combined package of flash memory with a flash memory controller integrated onto the same platform. Three major components of this device include Multi-Media Card ( MMC interface), flash memory, and a flash memory controller. Offered in an industry standard BGA package, this technology was intended to be used in portable devices. Today, most electronics such as digital cameras, smartphones, and tablets, mostly store their content on flash memory. Storing data requires writing and reading of the records and managing processes with a dedicated controller driven by the application CPU - Industrial memory solutions, like eMMC, are developed specifically for such applications.

eMMC was developed to fulfill the ever-expanding storage requirements of semiconductor technology. Launched as a standardized method, this technology bundles the a controller with flash die, showing results that every tech-savvy praises today. Some important features to take note of include secure erase and trim with high-priority interrupt to ensure high performance and meet security demands. Now let’s dive more into what eMMC Flash Memory is and it’s uses.

Where Is It Used?
Portable consumer electronic products such as smartphones, digital tablets, PDAs, multi-media players, navigational systems, and digital cameras are examples of high-performance applications that make use of eMMC Flash Memory. Besides being used in mobile phones and other enhanced storage solutions, this technology can be used as a replacement for traditional storage media, HDDs.

What Are Its Benefits?
eMMC’s application interface designs and leverages the host processors from the low-level flash memory management. product developers benefit the most from this as they get to simplify the non-volatile memory interface design and qualification process. Because of this, business can see less returns and service on products and services. This technology conceals the complexities of flash memory in a convenient ‘Plug and Play’ package, with the time and effort of developers that it helps to reduce.

Moreover, eMMC embeds a controller into the memory chip and imparts an easy-to-use storage package for high-speed data transmissions. This integrated feature that allows the elimination of interface software for all types of NAND memory. The technology stacks several memory functions vertically, giving out a small footprint for the memory devices, and ultimately, getting rid of the need for the memory expansion slot.

What Is Its Software Support?
The secure erase and trim feature of eMMC memory requires software support from its file system. Without software support, the application call will not be able to traverse through the file system and reach the storage media. Whether from an external or internal source, every organization that’s switching to eMMC will also need to provide for successful software support.

EMMC flash memory is a primary storage that developers embed in advanced portable electronics. It boosts the storage of incorporated devices with a removable Secure Digital card or a micro SD card.
Author’s Bio: The author gives a brief understanding of what an eMMC flash memory.