Flash forward: Celebrating 40 years of memory innovation

If you’ve ever forgotten something, then you know firsthand the limits of human memory. Our first attempts at storing information can be traced back to Paleolithic tribespeople who would mark notches into sticks or bones to keep track of supplies and trading activity.

Thankfully, storage has evolved past sticks and bones. Today, we use something called flash memory.
 

What is flash memory, and why is it everywhere?
 

Whether you realize it or not, flash memory is everywhere. It’s in your smartphone; it’s in your digital camera; and it’s even in your car. Without it, many of the technological conveniences we enjoy today would fail to operate. But what is flash memory, and why is it so ubiquitous?

As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of flash memory, we will answer these questions, exploring the technology’s impact and Micron’s role in its development.
 

How does flash memory work? A look inside the technology

To start, let’s define flash memory: It’s a type of non-volatile storage that retains data even when the power is turned off. This differs from volatile random access memory (RAM), which loses data after power is cut.

Non-volatile storage has come a long way since it was first developed. Before flash, data was stored in chips called erasable programmable read-only memory, or EPROM. A series of innovations from EPROM to present-day flash memory, have paved the way for compact, reliable storage solutions like USB drives, memory cards and SSDs.
 

The invention of flash memory: A game-changer in data storage
 

While EPROM allowed for long-term storage, it had several disadvantages, including high costs and heavy power consumption. Additionally, the stored bits had to be completely erased with UV light before being rewritten with new data.

For decades, EPROM was the standard storage method for most electronics. But as you can imagine, manually erasing and rewriting information was not very efficient.

That’s why in the 1980s, Dr. Fujio Masuoka of Toshiba began searching for an alternate technology. He and his team eventually developed a storage device that erased data so fast it was like the flash of a camera: flash memory.
 

Why flash memory is essential in modern devices

Since then, flash has revolutionized the industry by providing a reliable and efficient means of data storage. It operates using a grid of cells, each containing a floating or replacement-gate transistor. These transistors can hold an electrical charge, representing binary data (0s and 1s), which read and erase data.

“With flash being now electrically erasable and programmable, you have this ability to be very nimble, from a system design and a testing perspective, as you're developing new products,” said William Stafford, Micron director of marketing.

Because of its nimbleness, flash is a versatile and essential component in many modern electronics. Mobile devices, for example, use flash memory to store data such as the operating system (OS), photos and apps. In modern vehicles, flash stores critical information like navigational maps, calibration settings and user preferences for infotainment systems.
 

Types of flash memory: NOR versus NAND

There are two types of flash memory, each with distinct applications. NOR flash, which features a “not OR” logic gate, has fast read speeds and random-access capabilities useful for reading small data sets and actually executing code (software). This memory type is found in basic technology like microcontrollers, industrial equipment and automotive electronics.

On the other hand, NAND, which uses a “not AND” logic gate, has a fast write speed and a large storage capacity. It is used in tech that requires large amounts of data and code storage, such as laptops, mobile devices and data centers in products like SSDs.
 

Micron’s journey in flash memory: From RAM to global storage leadership

Selling both NAND and NOR storage solutions, today Micron is a global leader in flash memory. But it may surprise you that Micron had a late start to storage products in the industry. It first came to the NAND flash memory scene in 2006 when it entered a joint venture with Intel, known as IM Flash Technologies.

Because Micron already had a long history of producing SRAM and DRAM memory devices, flash memory solutions fit right into its business model as, in many cases, both technologies are required in the same system.

“Micron’s always had visionary leaders, knowing that memory and storage would march together,” Stafford said. “If you have lots of code running and lots of data coming through DRAM, you need somewhere to store that. So that’s why they pulled all that together to come up with the full solution.”