For the purpose of achieving an optimal price/performance ratio, the only viable storage option for corporations performing data and system backup is traditional rotating magnetic hard drives, rather than solid-state drives (SSD), which plan an important role for some applications. With the demand for storage increasing at more than 30 percent per year, hard drives will continue playing a critical role in big data applications.During COMPUTEX Taipei 2013, WD stated that it would manage its existing WD Xe and WD Re lines, as well as the newly announced WD Se hard drives, specifically designed for scale-out datacenter applications, under its Datacenter business unit. In characterizing its datacenter portfolio, Patrick Lo, marketing director of WD's Digital Video and Datacenter business units, APAC, explains that each drive family represents elemental building blocks in a tiered architecture, represented visually in the company's materials with multiple beehives tightly connected to one another.Patrick Lo states that, according to research institution forecasts, from 2013 to 2020, global data volume will grow at a rate of 30% to 40% per year. As storage usage consumption habits change, mainstream computing devices are evolving from just personal computers to include smart handheld devices, which offer very limited storage capacity. As the resolution of audio and video files increases, where does the exponentially increasing data migrate to? The answer is the cloud datacenter. Research institutions expect that, by 2020, more than 75% of the massive volume of data gathered at datacenters will continue to be stored on hard drives. The significance of hard drive technology remains strong and will increase. WD has defined its datacenter portfolio to align with customer feedback.Marching Toward Big Data / Tiered Storage is the WayThe foundation of datacenter applications in the past have primarily involved structured data, such as with an ERP system. Unstructured, raw data was often discarded. However, with the rise of Big Data, organizations have begun consolidating all data. The more data retained, the better, and the format of such data is no longer restricted. Corporations such as retailers, credit card companies, and social media organizations are rushing to mine commercial value from raw data, driving the continued high growth in storage requirements.Across datacenters and the variety of applications enterprises deploy, some data is considered "hot data," which is online transactions, requiring fast data analysis and computing in large volume; while other data is "cold," meaning it is secondary, tertiary, or not as frequently accessed. The corresponding workload and environment needs are greatly different. With this backdrop, how can we rely on just one product to meet the needs of all applications?There are datacenter-class hard drives designed for each of the tier 0, tier 1, tier 2 and tier 3 storage requirement levels common in today's enterprises. Classification criteria of drives for each tier include performance, reliability, workload and cost. Tier 1 hard drives are used for large-volume data analysis, such as financial transaction data processing. The WD Xe drive family fits in this segment with 10,000 RPM performance. Tier 2 hard drives are geared toward near-line storage and hyperscale infrastructures. The former is mostly used on heavy loads such as one-to-one RAID backup, and such tasks are best handled by WD Re. The latter is designed primarily for secondary or tertiary backup, and relatively lighter workloads. The primary characteristics of WD Se drives are high capacity and value, and match the increasingly popular Hadoop computing requirements.WD's portfolio wins recognition from various partnersWD datacenter series hard drives -- WD Xe, WD Re and WD Se -- differ in performance characteristics and workload capabilities, yet all feature robust design and undergo stringent testing based for their respective datacenter application requirements. Before any WD product families first ships from the factory, they all receive millions of hours of functionality and heat testing, and server and storage system work volume tests. Included are rigorous tests on advanced technologies such as RAFF rotational vibration cancellation technology, which monitors the drive and corrects both linear and rotational vibration on a real-time basis; StableTrac technology, which secures the motor shaft at both ends to reduce system-induced vibration and stabilize the platters for accurate tracking during read and write operations; and TLER time-limited error correction function, which prevents drive fallout caused by the extended hard drive error-recovery processes common to desktop drives.WD's tiered storage portfolio balances both functionality and value. For users managing different levels of Big Data analysis requirements in forms of structured, unstructured or streaming data, WD offers a tiered portfolio for the stability, performance and durability demands of these applications.As evidence, the petabyte-grade NAS server in the Synology RackStation RS series launched January 2014 designates WD Re hard drives on the solution stress test and demonstration. The JBR storage solution launched by Quanta in February this year for the Open Computing Project (OCP) also relies on the WD Re hard drive. As cloud computing and Big Data become a driving force of information technology, WD has earned its place in the datacenter storage market.Patrick Lo, marketing director of WD's Digital Video and Datacenter business units, APAC

The internationally renowned event of the digital industry, CeBIT 2014 is packed with innovations and will start on 10th March in Hannover, Germany. More than 4,000 companies from over 70 countries will showcase their latest high-tech innovations. Among them, MSI, world leading brand in gaming technology, will proudly present a comprehensive line-up of all new gaming hardware, including notebooks, AIO PCs, motherboards, graphics cards, etc.Eric Kuo, MSI Notebook vice president for global sales & marketing, points out, "As a result of the booming competitive gaming market, there has been an increasing number of heavy-load games, even up to 15.6" 3K monitors and higher resolution gaming experience, so gamers are demanding more in terms of graphics, functions, and other design features. MSI has heard their longings and responded with numerous breakthroughs and innovations. The result has been gaming hardware with the latest processors and graphics technology, coupled with the most advanced and rich array of gaming features like XSplit Gamecaster and SteelSeries Engine (SSE), to create a perfect gaming experience in 2014."MSI notebooks leading the gameMSI proudly presents the new GT70/GT60 2PE Dominator Pro and GT70/GT60 2PC Dominator gaming laptops featuring NVIDIA's latest GeForce GTX880M (Dominator Pro) and GTX870M (Dominator) graphics. A new addition to the MSI gaming laptops family is the GS60 Ghost, which sports an incredible Intel core i7-4700HQ graphics, powered by NVIDIA GeForce GTX860M while also featuring exclusive Super RAID technology for a fantastic storage performance. Another series from the gaming family line, MSI's GE60 and GE70 Apache both boast amazing performance and feature Intel 4th generation Quad Core processors, NVIDIA GTX 860M (Apache Pro) and GTX 850M (Apache) discrete graphics. These gaming machines will meet your needs for both the lean and the mean.Better yet, XSplit Gamecaster will be made available in all upcoming gaming laptops. A live streaming and recording tool, XSplit Gamecaster lets you easily record your gaming moments and broadcast your live gameplay sessions to Twitch, YouTube, UStream and more. It's simple, easy to use and ideal for sharing your gameplay with friends, fans and family.Leading gaming graphicsThis year MSI will showcase some of the latest technologies at CeBIT including the just announced R9 290X LIGHTNING and the upcoming R9 270X GAMING ITX. Since the launch of MSI's GAMING series graphics cards at CeBIT last year, it has become the highest awarded graphics card series and tops sales charts across continents with the GTX 700 series. With the R9 270X GAMING ITX, MSI is the first to offer AMD's gaming power in a mini-ITX form factor. Along with the new R9 280X GAMING 6G and R9 280 GAMING this gives gamers more choice when deciding on their next PC upgrade. And finally, the top of the bill R9 290X LIGHTNING offers truly amazing performance and power for those who want the best of the best. Built to be perfect, the R9 290X LIGHTNING has already shown its record breaking performance and will set its name in the OC scene in the coming months.MSI showcases slim Gaming All-in-One PCs and MSI Nightblade gaming bareboneThe soon to be launched MSI AG270, AG240 GAMING AIO PCs as the successors of the AG2712A - winner of the CES Innovation Award2014 - are on display at CeBIT 2014. These AIO PCs feature the latest NVIDIA GeForce GTX880M, GTX870M (AG270) and GTX860M GDDR5 (AG240) graphics cards. The AG270 is also powered by speakers and amplifier audio equipment by Yamaha. With a beautiful, ultra slim design and including Anti-Flicker and Less Blue Light Technology to provide gamers with the most comfortable viewing experience, the AG270 and AG240 are MSI's next step in All-in-One Gaming equipment.Besides that, the MSI Nightblade gaming barebone is premiered on live display at CeBIT and definitely something PC gamers cannot miss this year. Not only housing the highly appraised MSI Gaming motherboard and equipped with the MSI Dragon case fan and a powerful 600W PSU, the MSI Nightblade is also MSI's first overclockable barebone PC pushing the boundaries of gaming to new limits. Despite its mini-ITX form factor, the MSI Nightblade can host an ATX-size graphics card and supports the usage of two SSDs, an HDD and even an optical drive bay. The solid handle on the front side helps gamers to easily carry the Nightblade from one LAN-event to the next.The next step in gaming motherboardsAt CeBIT MSI proudly introduces its 3rd generation of Intel based GAMING motherboards, with support for next generation Intel 22nm and 14nm processors. Focusing on the key elements that matter to gamers, MSI made some significant improvements addressing speed, sound & stability.With the introduction of Audio Boost 2 featuring Creative Sound Blaster Cinema 2, debuting Direct Audio Power, gamers get to experience the next level in sound quality. Gamers can also push their SSDs to the limit with M.2 and SATA-Express, delivering up to 67% performance increase over conventional SATA3 solutions. Additionally, MSI puts its focus on making the GAMING look & feel even more awesome, while building further on its strong foundation with the best specs and features that gamers wish for, such as Killer Game Networking, Audio Boost and USB Audio Power.For more information, please visit: http://www.msi.com/index.phpMSI Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MSIHQFANCLUBMSI introduces all new gaming products at CeBIT 2014

Everfocus is going to highlight their latest developments at secutech Taipei 2014 booth 6117, where the company will showcase their new Panoramic IP Camera EFN3320, 10X Auto Focus IP Cameras as well as NVRs, HD-SDI products, Mobile Solutions, and most of all, the whole new XMS and its integration!EFN3320 camera is EverFocus' latest 3 megapixel panoramic IP camera. Based on an innovative technology, EFN3320 uses a fisheye lens to create a 360-degree view with an extremely large area of coverage. With proper placement, EFN3320 IP camera can replace two or more conventional fixed cameras for seamless coverage of an entire scene with no gaps or blind spots.The XMS is a high performance management system that enables you to connect, work, and control all the surveillance products easily including cameras, portable devices, and also connect with ATMs, POS machine, LPR systems, access control, and alarm.EZN3261 bullet and EHN3261 dome IP cameras provide up to 30 fps at 1920 x 1080 viewing resolution. Both two types of models equipped with an auto focus 10x optical zoom lens which provides the desired field of view with superior video quality in precision focus. EZN and EHN series come with 2 megapixel and 3 megapixel. Both types will be showcased during secutech from 3/19-3/21.Mobile has always been Everfocus' strength. EverFocus EMN series mini mobile IP dome comes with three models, 1.3 MP, 2 MP, and 3 MP, providing up to 15 fps at 2048 x 1536 viewing resolution. With full EN50155 compliance, IK10 vandal proof housing and IP67-rated design, the camera can withstand shock, vibration, humidity, dust, and fluctuations, maintaining stable and reliable video during vehicle movement.The zero latency HD quality image is another highlight of EverFocus versatile and high performing HD-SDI solutions! HD-SDI solutions allow users to monitor true "real time" HD recording images. Please visit EverFocus Booth 6117, for more details.About EverFocus Electronics CorporationEverFocus Electronics Corporation (TWSE: 5484) is a leading integrated security solution manufacturer. Our lineup includes IP, HD-SDI, analog, mobile surveillance solutions, access control systems, as well as surveillance and access control peripherals. EverFocus has offices globally, located in Taiwan, the U.S.A, Germany, China, Japan, and India. For more information, please visit http://www.everfocus.com.tw/EverFocus showcasing integration at Secutech 2014

The all new MSI R9 290X LIGHTNING has been upgraded and improved to deliver the fastest single GPU graphics experience. With dozens of improvements across the board, the R9 290X LIGHTNING epitomizes the no-holds-barred overclocking attitude that drove the development of world's fastest single GPU graphics card. The design reminisces of MSI's greatest Lightning series graphics cards, like 2x 8-pin and 1x 6-pin power connectors on board guaranteeing a minimum of 450W available for overclocking.The TriFrozr Thermal Design has been optimized to more efficiently dissipate heat from the GPU and on-board components to ensure class-leading results. The GDDR5 memory on the R9 290X LIGHTNING has been optimized in cooperation with AMD to deliver the best overclocking results whether cooled on by air or through extreme cooling like Liquid Nitrogen (LN2.)MSI OC SeriesThe MSI R9 290X LIGHTNING is the first product to bear the new MSI OC Series logo which should be a clear indication of the enormous potential of the card in the hands of extreme overclockers. Featuring 12 GPU phases in an innovative solution to deliver the most stable voltages to the GPU when pushing extreme benchmarks. This is done through laying out the VRM components on both front and back side of the PCB. The optimized memory configuration promises new levels of memory overclocking on AMD's R9 series. Extreme overclockers can use the special LN2 BIOS on the card to reach for overclocking records without special hardware modifications.On-board and in controlWith the 3x OC kits you're in complete control of the R9 290X LIGHTNING. V-Check points allow you to accurately measure GPU, Memory and PLL voltages. Triple Temp Monitor checks the real-time temperatures of the GPU, Memory and PLL while Triple Overvoltage allows you to over volt those same components in order to achieve higher clock speeds.The best componentsEquipped with Military Class 4 components, the R9 290X LIGHTNING is built to withstand the toughest conditions, like sub-zero freezing or the high temperatures that occur when exorbitant amounts of power are used to crush world records. Because only the best components can provide the continued support of multiple world-record attempts.For more information, please visit: http://www.msi.com/product/vga/R9_290X_LIGHTNING.htmlMSI R9 290X LIGHTNING

Tatung Co. (TWSE Stock Code 2371), a leader in the smart energy industry that offers turnkey energy-saving system integration solutions, has stepped up efforts expanding overseas, with its latest target markets in the Middle East. Equipped with years of experience in system integration and the abundant resources from firms under the Tatung Group, Tatung presented its total smart energy-saving solutions at Middle East Electricity 2014 in Dubai.Tatung gained much attention and business opportunities during its debut at Middle East Electricity 2013. This time, Tatung demonstrated its ambitions for the Middle East market by expanding its booth size at Middle East Electricity 2014. "As a total energy-saving system integration specialist with rich experience in Taiwan, Tatung is enhancing its brand visibility and exploring business opportunities in the Middle East area. It is also looking to further identify customers' needs in terms of smart energy-saving and high-efficiency industrial applications and energy products," said Frank Shiue, vice president of Power BG at Tatung.Leveraging the Tatung Group's resources, the company has customized system solutions specifically for the Middle East market, such as: mechatronic systems designed for superior power transmission, and safe and reliable electricity distribution; smart energy-saving systems that include PV, smart energy management, intelligent green building, ESCO and highly energy-efficient equipment solutions; new-generation power grids based on bidirectional communications technology that provides short-time or real-time electricity information to consumers and power companies, enabling various smart grid systems and central monitoring systems for factories, office buildings and public facilities.The products Tatung showcased at the event included the newly patented Smart Partial Discharge Analyzer that can accurately and quickly detect and locate faults in oil-insulated high-voltage equipment (such as transformers). The product guarantees smooth running of a power system. Other energy-saving and high-efficiency products highlighted at the show included: high-efficiency motors, amorphous transformers, wires and cables, smart meters, advanced metering infrastructure, commercial air conditioning solutions and thin-film cells.Dates: Feb. 11-13, 2014Location: Dubai International Exhibition Centre, UAEBooth: 2A12

Fortrend Liquid Diamond treated glass boasts anti-germ capability - for all environments, both outdoors and indoors - that is four times better than that of untreated glass. The capability was tested by the Food Industry Research and Development Institute (see Test Report below).The Fortrend-developed anti-germ Liquid Diamond layer treatment prevents germs and viruses from growing, and can be applied to a variety of surfaces like plastic, metal and glass.It can be used on many different environments and devices: household items, such as glassware, drinking water processors, electrical appliances, air cleaners and air conditioners; bathrooms, where germs could grow fast on toilets, faucets or tiles because of the moistures; 3C products, from keyboards, mobile phone protective glass sheets to tablets, that are indispensable today; the facades of buildings, such as the glass windows, paintings and so forth.And people's contact with touch panels, a popular man-machine interface, is growing fast. Public health experts have already warned that the number of germs on a touch panel may be 30 times that on a toilet seat. The industry needs to resolve the issues of germ growth on glass, and Fortrend Liquid Diamond is a perfect answer to these issues, providing high added-value to enhance touch panel makers' competitveness.The Food Industry Research and Development Institute's Test Report

The increasing worldwide terrorist attack and theft has become driving force in explosion of surveillance systems to protect lives and assets. Every newly built public or private building now requires a complete security and safety plan.As desert dunes soar next to towering skyscrapers, W Doha Hotel & Residences dazzles by the Arabian Sea. As more and more high-end hotels are built in Qatar, W Hotel wanted to provide more secured experiences for their employees and their valuable guests during their stays in W Hotel for competitive hotel market in Qatar. Therefore, W Hotel turned to EverFocus for a well-planned surveillance system.In order to provide a complete safe environment for its guests, W Hotel chose EverFocus's cameras and later installed around four hundred fifty EverFocus advanced surveillance cameras in their main entrances, lobby, hallways, stairs, and at the front desk. In order to satisfy W Hotel's requiements, EverFocus worked with the system integrator Genius Vision Digital (GVD) for a complete solution. Installed EverFocus surveillance cameras include EHN3260 IP IR dome, EPN4220 speed dome, and EZN3260, EZN3340 bullet type cameras.Taiwan Excellence Award winner EPN 4220 is a best-in-class network-based speed dome camera specifically designed for professional applications. It offers 2 megapixel resolution and a built-in 20x optical zoom, aimed at guaranteeing impeccable image quality, in addition to cutting-edge features, such as digital slow shutter (DSS), wide dynamic range (WDR), and dynamic noise reduction (DNR). Equipped with an IP66-rated housings and true day/night function with a removable IR cut filter, the EPN 4220 is certainly designed to withstand all environments. The advanced motion detection function also meets the needs of almost every end-user.EHN3260 is a 2 megapixel IP wide dynamic Day/Night outdoor IR dome that is perfect for both indoor and outdoor environment. W Hotel installed 398pcs of EHN3250 cameras in the hotel because its P-IRIS Lends, WDR, high performance noise filter, True Day/Night function provide high quality image and meet the vandal proof needs that the hotel required at the same time.EZN3260 and EZN3340 bullet type IP cameras are also used in this project. EZN3260 is a 2 Megapixel Wide Dynamic Outdoor Bullet IP camera patented algorithm for expert exposure control in dynamic lighting environments. Its highlight suppression backlight compensation/Control (HSBLC) intelligently masks the extreme blooming effects from high-contrast light sources such as car headlights. EZN3340 is a 3 Megapixel outdoor bullet IP camera with the same design as EZN3260 but higher performances that can monitor further distance in darker areas.Hotel surveillance has become more important than ever. A well organized and installed surveillance system can not only protect the hotel itself but also the guests. 441 EverFocus cameras are installed for complete surveillance and protection in W Hotel. With the installation of the hotel video surveillance, not only it can keep guests safe from theft, violence, but also provide evidences, prevent crimes and thus create a better and pleasant stay for all the guests visiting W Hotel.Video surveillance is the perfect security solution for hotels and resorts. EverFocus surveillance solutions have been widely used in different vertical markets including businesses, housing, banking, retail. EverFocus has the most cost effective video camera solution for you all around the world.W Hotel chooses EverFocus as a preferred Security System Provider

After the terrorist attack 911 in the US, the whole wide world begins to attach importance to the security surveillance system. Along with the development of technologies, IP network based surveillance also follows and is becoming more mature than ever. One after another, digital products have joined Internet of Things and the Cloud, and security industry as well, keeping abreast with the times, and moving forward to the intelligentization and customization business model. How the security industry would adjust its pace to catch up this developmental tendency, is worthy of attention.The pure hardware supply seems no longer be able to meet the diverse needs of users. Security monitoring products moves towards the integration of the hardware and the software, customization and intelligent applications such as video analysis. We used to employ the manpower for investigating, comparing and analyzing the recorded data, which is extremely time-consuming and the analysis accuracy could vary according to different person in charge. Nowadays, through specific analytical firmwares, users can perform intelligently the work that labor could not achieve alone normally, to reduce costs and to improve precision of the analysis.The basic technology in the intelligent surveillance which we are familiar with is motion detection for example. On the contrary, there are more complex features as face recognition, behavior analysis and so on, which are more widely used in surroundings like so-called smart buildings, smart city, and smart campus where advanced functions are needed. The intelligentization has become a popular tendency to reduce labor costs, to improve efficiency and to provide diverse services for users. The intelligent monitoring will be more and more popular in the coming years, and more widely used in every field.Taiwanese company, Nimax, has introduced in 2013 on the market, the high resolution AI face tracking camera with numerous smart features, such as face tracking, digital defog to name a few. At the same time, with on field experience accumulated for years, Nimax has solid technical strength to provide customized monitoring system for security field as well as other domains.In 2014 Secutech Taipei International Security Expo, Nimax will focus on network-based HD cameras, HD SDI systems, 180 degree image correction module, as well as promoting a different cooperation business model, providing actively of customized services and cross-industry alliance partnership for instance, in the aim of providing tailor-made intelligentized video modules, in the hope of adding product value for customers and users.The customization of video module will be the main promotion goal for Nimax this year. In recent years, through the cooperative efforts with international partners, Nimax has successfully introduced customized products for school, door phone intercom system, industrial production, consumer entertainment (ex: photo sticker machines), industrial machinery and military base. In the future, Nimax will more actively work on cross-industry collaboration, in the hope of spreading innovative intelligentized camera module for a wider use.

Imagination Technologies announced that the latest version of its popular Codescape debugger now supports the full range of MIPS CPUs, offers new Linux and RTOS awareness features, and provides heterogeneous debug of SoCs using one or more of Imagination's portfolio of MIPS and Ensigma processors. With Codescape 8.0, Imagination's customers and developers have a complete, proven and powerful debug solution that goes beyond the CPU.Codescape is used by Imagination and its licensees for fast, easy debugging across a wide range of Imagination's programmable IP, including MIPS CPUs and Ensigma RPUs (radio processors) with PowerVR GPU (graphics processor) support coming in 2014. With Codescape, developers can simultaneously examine the code of each of these processors, as well as the interactions between them, accelerating product development and enabling faster time to market. The Codescape debugger provides comprehensive debug across the whole SoC, supporting multiple operating systems, architectures and technologies, including the MIPS instruction set architecture (ISA), MIPS SIMD architecture (MSA), the Ensigma Modulation and Coding Processor (MCP) ISA and hardware multi-threading.Says Tony King-Smith, EVP marketing, Imagination: "Imagination has been investing in our innovative Codescape heterogeneous debugging technology for more than a decade in support of our broad and expanding portfolio of processor IP. Our proven Codescape tools are an integral and strategic part of our comprehensive software toolchain, with powerful features and advanced functionality that work across our IP cores. We believe that Codescape is the only truly heterogeneous debugging technology, giving our customers a distinct competitive edge."Codescape is a fast and fully-featured graphical debugger that includes the following features:*Multi-core, multi-thread and multi-OS task support*Ability to debug MIPS CPUs, Ensigma RPUs and other Imagination IP on the same SoC in a single view*Bare metal, Linux and RTOS aware debug*Support for Windows, Linux and Mac OS hosts including 64-bit*Powerful graphical scripting for greater control and visualization of target data*Supported by a range of high-speed JTAG and trace probes*Supports connection to MIPS Instruction Accurate Simulator (IASim) and QEMU (Emulator)Codescape can be used both with the powerful Codescape GUI and as a plugin with Eclipse. With built-in graphical scripting for data visualisation, virtual prototyping and debugger extendibility, Codescape is compatible with a range of emulators, FPGA systems and final silicon.Future additions will include support for 64-bit MIPS cores, MIPS SIMD architecture and other new micro-architectural and ISA features.AvailabilityA range of Codescape 8.0 debugger products, targeting different feature sets and capabilities, is available now. Contact info@imgtec.com for more information.About CodescapeThe Codescape development environment delivers new levels of development tool integration, tackling all aspects of high-performance, heterogeneous SoC platform development, and includes support for an ever increasing number of Imagination's programmable IP cores.Codescape is an end-to-end solution, supporting development needs from IP evaluation through to product delivery and customer support. The one-stop solution eases the development cycle and helps Imagination's customers deliver the quality of finished product that their customers expect in the fastest possible timeframe.

The speed of NAND flash memory has made a rapid progress. The ONFI v4.0 that is under development will use the 1.2VDDR3 transmission interface technology. Single channel flash transmission rate can reach the speed of 800 MB/s. As a result, solid state drive (SSD) products adopting SATAIII (6Gbps) as the transmission interface are about to face an insurmountable bottleneck.Instead, the PCIe interface technology is promising. The introduction of the new M.2, SATA Express, PCIe x16 add-in card, and SFF-8639 are all new generation SSD products that the storage device industry are banking on to transcend the performance limitations.SATA 6G reaching a bottleneckCc Wu , Innodisk's vice president of Embedded Flash Div. , discussed at a recent forum the application of the flash storage devices used by the industrial control sector as well as the evolution of the storage transmission interface specifications for IDE, SATA, and other interfaces. Wu indicated that the NAND flash manufacturing process has continued to progress each year from 60nm in 2006, 50nm in 2007, 42nm in 2008, 34nm in 2009, 27nm in 2010, 24nm in 2011, 21nm in 2012, and 19nm in 2013 and early 2014.The current industrial mainstream storage devices still adopt the rewritable and high tolerance SLC made using processes between 42nm and 21nm. MLC has also begun to penetrate into the industrial application sector since 2012, manufactured at the 21nm to 19nm nodes. Because TLC has a smaller number of rewritable times and the price difference between TLC and MLC is not as great as that between SLC and MLC, TLC applications are still mostly for consumer electronics, and the industrial market has yet to adopt them. When TLC will find its way into the industrial market remains to be seen.Judging from the evolution of flash performance, ONFI and Toggle mode have both become the mainstream flash interfaces. Under ONFI v3.1/Toggle mode 2.0, flash adopts the DDR2 interface transfer technology with transmission rates reaching 400MB/s (ONFI v3.1) or 533MB/s (ONFI v3.2), and the operating voltage reduced to merely 1.8V(SSTL_18). ONFI v4.0, which is being developed, will adopt the DDR3 transmission interface with the operating voltage dropping to 1.2V and the highest single-channel transmission rate reaching up to 800MB/s.In terms of performance, if an ONFI 3.2 NV-DDR2 goes with a 16KB Page MLC and Cache Read/Cache Program, the read speeds of single-channel 1-die, 2-die, 4-die, and 8-die stacks can reach as high as 533MB/s, and the respective write speeds can reach 20MB/s, 41MB/s, 82MB/s, and 164 MB/s. As for 16KB Page SLC chips, the write speeds can reach 73MB/s, 146MB/s, 291MB/s, and 533MB/s (in full load) under the same Cache Read/Cache Program conditions. But now the 600MB/s rate of SATAIII (SATA 6G) is about to become a transmission bottleneck for flash chips. To develop SSDs with higher transmission speeds, we must turn to the next generation of higher-speed transmission interface as early as possible.SATA remains as mainstream industrial interface, but set to give way to Mini PCIe/M.2In terms of flash applications in the industrial sector, a significant number of SLC has been used in embedded devices, acting as the embedded operating systems' boot storage with capacity mostly under 2GB. When more than 32GB in storage capacity is needed, MLC is a more cost-efficient alternative.When the storage capacity is less than 2GB and demand for storage is high, SLC can be used as an embedded OS hard disk to provide a higher degree of reliability and extend the service life for such products as industrial PCs, gaming machines, automation equipment, and military equipment. When the device needs storage of more than 32GB, MLC can be used as a data disks for storing application programs, enabling higher SSD capacity and providing better cost-efficiency for product segments including surveillance, POS, networking and digital signage.Take an industrial motherboard for an example. The designs mentioned above allow for numerous connection interfaces to connect the storage devices. They include: PATA CF/IDE DOM (Disk on Module) that can connect to the conventional 40pin IDE interface; SSD with 1.8 inch SATA or 2.5 inch SATA; SATA DOM, mSATA, SATA Slim, Cfast, or CF-SATA memory cards that connect to the SATA interface; USB modules that connect to a 10-pin USB connector; SD/micro SD memory cards that can be read through a card reader; and the eMMC and uSSD single-chip disks that are built into the motherboards.These various interfaces must have at least five years of product life in order to serve industrial purposes. In the past, newly designed motherboards would often keep the old transmission connection interfaces in use for several more years to give clients more time to transition to new interfaces. At the same time, multiple interfaces can cover a wide range of differentiated applications. Small-size connection interfaces are also required due to system space constraints. SATA remains as the mainstream transmission interface for industrial applications.PCIe to become the ultimate solutionCc Wu provided a chronicle of the SSD evolution in terms of form factors and transmission interfaces. In 1995, the CompactFlash (CF) had a transmission rate of only 8.3 MByte/s (PIO mode 2). In 1999, the Secure Digital (SD) specification was jointly developed by SanDisk, Matsushita and Toshiba. The SATA Rev 1.0a specification was launched in January 2003, which increased the transmission rate to 150MB/s (1.5Gbps). In 2003, the PCI-SIG organization premiered the PCIe 1.0a single plane (1x plane) achieving the transmission rate of 250MB/s (2.5Gbps). The SATA Rev 2.0 was unveiled in 2006, which improved the transmission rate to 300MB/s (3Gbps). In January 2007, PCI-SIG released the PCIe 2.0 specification whereby the single plane (1x plane) with a transmission rate up to 500MB/s (5Gbps).In June 2008, the SATA Rev 3.0 interface boosted the transmission rate to 600MB/s (6Gbps). In 2009, JEDEC developed SATA Slim (MO-297A). In September 2009, the SATA-IO organization introduced the mSATA interface. In 2010, the PCIe Gen3 enabling single-plane 1GB/s (8GT/s) was launched. The SATA Express interface appeared in 2011 and Intel released the M.2 (NGFF) interface in 2012. The high-speed transmission interface evolution continues.The PCI Express (PCIe) interface evolution started with PCIe 1.0,which was based on the 8b/10b encoding scheme with x1 transmission rate reaching 2.5GT/s (250MB/s) and the x16 transmission rate at 4GB/s. Then came PCIe 2.0, which was based on the 8b/10b encoding scheme boosting the x1 transmission rate to 5GT/s (500MB/s) and the x16 transmission rate to 8GB/s. PCIe 3.0 adopted the 128b/130b encoding principles, raising the x1 transmission rate to reach 8GT/s (1GB/s), and the x16 transmission rate to 16GB/s. PCIe 4.0 is expected to have an x1 transmission rate exceeding 16GT/s (2GB/s), and the transmission rate can reach 32GB/s in the x16 mode.PCIe interface form factors and market trendsPCIe has diverse interface form factors. A Mini PCIe connector has 52 pins and works well with cloud computing and data centers; PCIe x16 is used in graphic cards and PCIe SSD emphasizes high IOPS; M.2(NGFF) launched by Intel in 2012 features three sizes - 2242, 2260 and 2280 - that are currently used in Ultrabooks.The 2.5-inch SSD has adopted the SATAIII (600MB/s) interface. The SATA Express combines the conventional SATA and PCIe interfaces and provides x2 dual planes. PCIe 2.0/3.0 x2 can achieve 1GB/s and 2GB/s. Asustek has showcased motherboards adopting SATA Express, and their interfaces are compatible with conventional SATA cables and PCIe connectors.Finally, the SFF-8639 interface is currently used in the back panels of the enterprise-grade 2.5-inch storage devices. It can connect to PCIe, SATA as well as SAS storage devices, and is compatible with SATA Express. SFF-8639 offers six PCLe lanes, but only a maximum of four can be used at a time. PCIe 2.0/3.0 can raise the transmission rate to 2GB/s and 4GB/s, respectively.In terms of the industry support for SFF-8639, Dell's PowerEdge R820/R720 1U Servers are connected through PCIe HBA adapters at the backplane connection and expansion slots, and it is adopted by Apple's MacBook Air as well as some MacBook Pro models. However, it is still rarely seen in the industrial computers/motherboards. Micron has premiered the P320h 2.5-inch PCIe SSD that adopts the SFF-8639 connection interface. It supports the x4 PCIe Gen2 specification and its sequential read and write speeds can reach 1.75GB/s and 1.1GB/s, respectively.SSDs developed with the PCIe interface in the form of x16 add-on cards include: OCZ's Z-Drive R4(PCIe-SATA+SATA SSD); Micron's P420m; Fusion IO's ioDrive; Seagate's X8 (Virident); and OCZ's Z-Drive R5 native PCIe SSD cards. They provide high IOPS that is most needed by servers. Their transmission rates can reach up to 1.5GB/s to 3GB/s, or even up to 6.5GB/s.Industrial motherboards have miniPCIe slots of the 50.8mm (L) x 29.8mm (W) x 4.4mm (H) size. In the past, these slots were slated to accept Intel's Wi-Fi wireless LAN modules. Manufacturers have also modified them into mSATA slots with similar pin counts. M.2 (NGFF) can serve as a new generation of slot/interface specifications compatible with miniPCIe, USB, SDIO, UART, PCM, I2C, and SATA(mSATA) add-on cards. There are Socket 1 Type 1630, 2230, 3030; Socket 2 Type 2242, 3042, which support PCIe x2/SATA; and Socket 3 Type 2260, 2280, 22110, which support PCIe x4/SATA.PCIe is poised to replace the existing SATAIII to become the future mainstream specification for storage device. Judging from the history of storage devices where a transition would usually take three to five years, Cc Wu expects that PCIe SSDs will become the mainstream by 2015. In addition, judging from the fact that Apple's MacBook Air and MacBook Pro have already adopted M.2 and SFF-8639, the transition of the SSD industry will continue to accelerate. Various SSD products adopting PCIe will start to appear in the market in the second half of 2014.Cc Wu, Innodisk's vice president of Embedded Flash Div.