The purpose of this blog is to explain the difference between MLC and SLC and why we use the MLC for your branded USB flash drives instead of any other type of construct of IC Chip memory.

The conversation re the different types of IC Chips started when we started publishing the manufacturer’s IC Chip prices on our Flash IC Chip Prices Pinterest page in the last month. An example copy of the published data of the manufacturer’s IC Chip prices can be seen below, there are 3 different types of IC Chip construct on the sheet - the SLC, MLC and TLC.

As we use MLC for your Promotional USBs, this series of blogs will be comparing MLC with SLC, then MLC with TLC. Firstly, to debunk these different letters: SLC stands for Single Level Cell IC Chip Flash memory and MLC stands for Multi Level Cell IC Chip Flash memory.

Introduction

Without getting overly technical but require your patience in describing the construct inside the IC Chip wafer. The makeup of a flash cell is vital to grasping the distinction between the 2 types of IC Chip and will help with our further blog when it comes to comparing MLC with TLC. In a typical IC Chip, every cell in the IC Chip is consisted of a transistor, a floating gate that stores electrons. The construct of the source, drain and gate are important factors in determining the maximum voltage, working temperature sand all the other characteristics of the IC Chip.

Technology

Single Level Cell (SLC)

This is a variation of the construct; in the SLC, the construct allows each cell to store the IC Flash in 1 bit per value – similar to below:-

The 0s and 1s only have 2 bits, this obviously means 2 states of possibility – erased or programmed.

Due to the charge increase on the gate, the cell’s maximum voltage is increased. This makes SLC the ideal and fit for purpose option for high-level performance and extensive dependable devices and applications.

Multi Level Cell (SLC)

By looking at the table below, those familiar with binary numbers can maybe relate to the difference between the single level and the multiple level cells.

Two binary numbers produces 4 options, which means the multiple cells can be depicted as the 4 distinct state of 0s and 1s as can be seen in table above.

Even though a more unbending and pre-set encoding is required to operate the exact quantity of stored charge on the floating gate; with the decreased channel within each level and the increased sensitivity between the each level – the MLCs capability to store charge is at the core of the MLC technology. In MLCs, the cells have an exact “placement of charge” and an exact “sensing of charge”.

The Different Uses

It doesn’t look like there is much difference in the image below but the distinct uses between the SLCs and MLCs are very distinct. Some realms of uses are price led and some uses are more practical and functionality based. For this reason, the high temperature capabilities of the SLCs lend itself to embedded systems - systems that require high-level performance and extensive dependable applications. For the MLC, the decreased delta with each level and the increased sensitivity between each level makes it viable to develop devices and applications that require storing of large amounts of data.

In selecting the right IC Chip for your project, it is important to examine the purpose of use. An SLC example will be – a barcode reader will most likely require an SLC IC Chip with all the high-level performance and extensive dependability it all requires. Conversely, your promotional Wholesale MP3 player will require an MLC IC Chip.

Price Comparison

One of our motivations in publishing the manufacturers IC Chip prices is to show a light on the market and make sure unscrupulous suppliers are not selling sub-standard UC Chips to their clients as Grade A IC Chips. The same is similar in this context, when we have a choice of ‘similar’ products; it is more than likely that customers will purchase the option the lesser amount.

As the picture above depicts, not all IC Chips are equal, IC Chip 1 cost £19 and IC Chip 2 cost £5. The SLCs are clearly more expensive than the MLCs and this decision is based on the purpose of use as stated above.

Conclusion

In terms of contrasting and comparing MLC and SLC, this overview summarises and gives a quick snap shot of the core differences even though they very similar in their design and construct.

In picking some vital information from the table above: the density of the MLC can be at least 2x the density of the SLC. In terms of read speed and endurance which is vital to many users, the SLC speed is nearly 10x as much of that of the MLCs. This makes SLC super expensive and not viable for our standard promotional USB Flash Drive uses.

We hope you can see from our analysis why the MLC is the most viable option for your Branded USB premiums.

Should you want to contact us to discuss your next project, please contact us on +44 1274 404 594. We can also be contacted on email at sales@usb-extra.co.uk. For those of us on different social media platforms, why don’t you connect with us on the following social media platforms? Our Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn , Blog and Pinterest are updated daily and hourly sometimes, we look forward to connecting with you!