Application Notes

This application note shows how combining TLC and pSLC modes within a single eMMC delivers both high storage density and superior write endurance, without resorting to higher-capacity, higher-cost components. It also explains how to configure an Enhanced Area to align memory behavior with the different needs of operating system, application, and log data.

Ensuring data integrity, system reliability, and fast recovery is essential in today’s accelerated digital landscape. This application note outlines how disk imaging streamlines SSD migrations, disaster-recovery workflows, and the rollout of standardized system environments. Learn how to create and restore disk images with minimal downtime and maximum efficiency.

Host Controlled Thermal Management (HCTM) enables hosts to align the thermal behavior of NVMe SSDs with their platform’s cooling capabilities. This app note introduces the fundamentals of HCTM, describes the implementation with standard tools, and shows relevant use cases.

This application note explores how Swissbit’s Field Firmware Update (FFU) process through mmc-utils empowers system integrators and OEMs to implement targeted adjustments post-deployment—securely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption. It outlines the technical framework, security safeguards, and practical use cases that make FFU a vital tool for long-term system optimization and lifecycle management.

This document describes setting up a Swissbit TCG Opal drives with a tool called SEDutil. It covers the basics of the TCG Opal specification, the “sedutil” tool and introduces the specific use of SEDutil to identify Opal drives, set passwords, set ranges, and lock and unlock drives.

This application note explores how Swissbit’s Field Firmware Update (FFU) process process through nvme-cli tool empowers system integrators and OEMs to implement targeted adjustments post-deployment—securely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption. It outlines the technical framework, security safeguards, and practical use cases that make FFU a vital tool for long-term system optimization and lifecycle management.

Mastering (duplicating the contents of a Master Drive) of an SSD is not as straightforward as it is when mastering a rotating hard disk drive. This document presents some technical background to understand the problems that might arise out of this process as well as a possible recommended process for mastering drives

Issues with a host computer PCIe bus interface or its power supplies can cause the host/SSD interface to unexpectedly no longer recognize an operating SSD. If this occurs, that SSD is described as having fallen off the bus. If a Swissbit SSD falls off the bus, the drive can be used as a diagnostic device to determine the cause. Swissbit NVMe SSDs diagnose and report on every isolated occurrence, without the need to replicate the issue.

Different bus systems, such as the SD and e.MMC interface, SATA or PCIe, offer various properties in terms of data transfer rates and connectivity. These systems, however, are not immune to special challenges in PCB design, despite their long-standing use. One such challenge is signal reflection, which can impact the performance and reliability of the entire system. This application note addresses signal reflections in mass storage interfaces...

Partitioning can have a big influence on the speed and the lifetime of an SSD. Mainly with older industrial systems, whose operating systems still originate from the time before the wide spread of SSDs, this problem occurs frequently. The cause and remedies are discussed in this Application Note.

With hard disks, there is a fixed assignment between logical and physical addresses. With NAND flash, however, existing data cannot simply be overwritten because...

Swissbit has been one of the leading suppliers of SD Memory Cards for industrial use as well as for the automotive industry for many years.

This TechNote was created from this experience. It focuses on the most common problems that may occur during the integration of an SD Memory interface and is intended to serve as guide to avoid these problems.