Sandisk 256MB T-Flash (TransFlash) for Motorola

The exceptionally small size of TransFlash (11mm x 15mm x1mm) allows handset manufacturers to incorporate significant amounts of removable storage capacity into their progressively smaller handsets without changing the physical size of the phone. To realize the small form factor, TransFlash uses advanced packaging technology and SanDisk's latest NAND MLC flash memory and controller technologies. This technology is employed in SanDisk's miniSD and TriFlash products and is a proven low cost/high volume production technology.

TransFlash represents a new type of flash memory for mobile phones that combines the space-saving benefit of embedded flash memory with the flexibility of removable flash storage cards. Given the extremely small size of the TransFlash module, handset manufacturers have greater flexibility to implement TransFlash into their new designs. A range of TransFlash connectors are available that support external slots as well as 'under-the-battery' placement. The TransFlash module is likely to be used as a semi-permanent storage device in the handset, and is ideal to transport subscriber data and settings from an older TransFlash enabled phone to a new one. TransFlash has built- in content protection rights management to allow secure downloads of content such as songs, video clips and video games. Future versions of TransFlash are being developed which will offer advanced encryption security to permit protected storage of personal, financial and medical information.

TransFlash is designed to store personal content such as digital images, MP3 music files, video games and other applications, phone settings and personal data. Due to its very small size and substantial storage capacity, it is likely to remain in the handset for extended periods; however, it can easily be removed and inserted into another phone when consumers want to upgrade their phones.

This usage model is similar to the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards used in most mobile phones worldwide that can be transported by the subscriber from one handset to another. However, SIM cards have very limited flash memory storage and suffer from a very slow data transfer rate that is not suitable for tens or hundreds of megabytes stored. TransFlash has approximately half the footprint of SIM cards. When inserted into an available SD adapter, TransFlash converts into the SD card for interoperability with standard SD devices so consumers can exchange data between their TransFlash-equipped mobile phone and any SD compatible host, such as a digital camera, PDA or laptop PC.

The tiny size of TransFlash gives handset manufacturers greater freedom to fit removable mass storage into virtually any mobile phone regardless of size. The ability to configure a basic handset for different amounts of TransFlash memory just before shipments to different customers is another desirable flexibility offered by TransFlash that is not possible with embedded flash memory. The same configurability can also be accomplished at the store where the TransFlash equipped handsets are sold. For example, a customer purchasing a cell phone with a two megapixel camera may want to configure his handset with higher capacity TransFlash than a cell phone that has a lower resolution camera.

Due to its ability to store operating system code and system data, TransFlash offers mobile phone manufacturers and network operators the flexibility to offer customized memory configurations, additional software and applications upgrades. In addition, service providers can create custom carrier bundles that are tightly integrated with handsets and stored on TransFlash so they can be easily replaced or upgraded in the field.

For mobile phones with storage requirements that assume frequent card removal and data sharing between other consumer electronic devices, SanDisk offers its regular SD and miniSD as well as Memory Stick PRO Duo cards and MultiMediaCards. TransFlash works seamlessly with any standard flash card implemented in the same handset.