Friday, June 13, 2003
No Lost Data with M-Systems DiskOnChip
Posted by Andy Sjostrom in "THOUGHT" @ 12:29 AM
http://www.m-sys.com/mobile/pda.asp?areaId=3
Your data stored in your Pocket PC is lost if your Pocket PC's batteries die. If you don't have a backup, of course. M-Systems "develops, manufactures and markets innovative data storage solutions based on flash memory for markets such as, mobile phones, PDAs..." and say they know how to address the potential risk of losing data.
"In PDAs without Mobile DiskOnChip, all user data and additional applications are stored on a large, battery-backed SDRAM. When the battery drains, all information is erased. This means that the PDA must be routinely synchronized with a PC to backup its information. Mobile DiskOnChip, a non-volatile storage device with write rates 10 to 20 times faster than most NOR and even NAND alternatives, allows the PDA application to store the data so that it is not erased when the battery dies."
Sounds interesting. In a large enterprise deployment we tried to use Compact Flash cards to hold the application's database, in case the field workers Pocket PCs would run out of batteries. Didn't work. Every now and then, the Pocket PC "loses" contact with the storage card even though it is inserted in the slot. Only a soft reset leading to lost data restores the connection. We are now back to databases in RAM and automatic backups to storage cards. If the Pocket PC has it detected, that is. I hope M-Systems has this figured out and have a plan for helping out Pocket PC users!
Your data stored in your Pocket PC is lost if your Pocket PC's batteries die. If you don't have a backup, of course. M-Systems "develops, manufactures and markets innovative data storage solutions based on flash memory for markets such as, mobile phones, PDAs..." and say they know how to address the potential risk of losing data.
"In PDAs without Mobile DiskOnChip, all user data and additional applications are stored on a large, battery-backed SDRAM. When the battery drains, all information is erased. This means that the PDA must be routinely synchronized with a PC to backup its information. Mobile DiskOnChip, a non-volatile storage device with write rates 10 to 20 times faster than most NOR and even NAND alternatives, allows the PDA application to store the data so that it is not erased when the battery dies."
Sounds interesting. In a large enterprise deployment we tried to use Compact Flash cards to hold the application's database, in case the field workers Pocket PCs would run out of batteries. Didn't work. Every now and then, the Pocket PC "loses" contact with the storage card even though it is inserted in the slot. Only a soft reset leading to lost data restores the connection. We are now back to databases in RAM and automatic backups to storage cards. If the Pocket PC has it detected, that is. I hope M-Systems has this figured out and have a plan for helping out Pocket PC users!
