Expanding the use of nonvolatile memory in data logging apps

The demand for automatic system data storage is increasing in embedded applications. This trend is driven both by systems manufacturers' needs to have higher traceability, as well as any possible information for diagnostics, failure analysis and application debugging, and also from end users' desire to store application parameters needed to optimize application usage, to trace relevant historical series, and for security reasons.

As a result, the concept of "Ubiquitous Computing," the pervasive diffusion of digital logic in any object of our life, couples more and more with "Ubiquitous Memory."

In many countries, local regulations drive the storage of sensible process parameters into a non-volatile (NV) and safe support for quality or security critical areas, like transportation, data and voice carriers or food and drug supply chains.

We typically refer to these kinds of applications as "data logging," including both stand-alone data recorders (devices for which the acquisition and the storing of data is the unique function) and more common data logging applications embedded in more complex electronic systems, supporting many other functions (a PC for instance).

Matching data logging apps to memory architecture
Dedicated NV memory support is clearly mandatory for stand-alone data logging devices, but separate memory support for data logging is sometimes present in complex systems that already have a huge amount of NV memory on board, like hard disk drives (HDD) or NAND Flash, for their main functionalities.

The reasons for this architectural choice vary, depending on the specific application, but are mainly related to security, reliability and independent accessibility (in case of main system default). The right selection of NV memory support can be the critical success factor for data logging applications.

Flight Data Recorder. The "Black Box," originally designed for traceability, maintenance and failure analysis, has gained popularity in other transportation areas outside the aeronautic sector, such as automotive (e.g., Event Data Recorder) and others with regulated safety standards.

Network Control. Increased need for security in both physical and virtual spaces, such as access control applications, have amplified demand for massive data logging in secure memory support.

Pay-Per-Use Technology. Businesses that run on a pay-per-use model, (e.g., printers or fax machines) need cost-effective, secure data logging support.

Wireless Sensor Networks. Typically, wireless networks employ on-board NV memory to store the latest data and download measured data into a central control unit, enabling the data download in batch mode and ensuring the possibility for local data reading without the central system connection. Industrial applications for this kind of sensors are getting widely diffused in the market.

Consumer Electronics. In the consumer electronic and PC segments, applications that embed a traceability system storing the tear level parameters - sometimes even the number of power-on cycles performed - are getting widely diffused. Gaming systems (console, arcade and gambling) have data logging requirements as well, and many GPS systems feature a Flash memory data logging module on board.