A USB flash drive is a small and portable data storage device that includes flash memory chip with an integrated USB interface, that plugs into a computer's USB port and functions as a portable hard drive. USB flash drives have shorter storage capacity than an external hard drive. They are pocket-sized and more long-lasting because they do not contain any internal moving parts, unlike an optical drive or a traditional hard drive.
USB flash drives also are called thumb drives, jump drives, pen drives, key drives, tokens, or simply USB drives.
There are typically five parts to a flash drive:
- Standard-A USB plug – provides a physical interface to the host computer.
- USB mass storage controller – a small microcontroller with a small amount of on-chip ROM and RAM.
- NAND flash memory chip(s) – stores data (NAND flash is typically also used in digital cameras).
- Crystal oscillator – produces the device's main 12 MHz clock signal and controls the device's data output through a phase-locked loop.
- Cover – typically made of plastic or metal, protecting the electronics against mechanical stress and even possible short circuits.
Different Uses of USB Flash Drives:
- Transporting and storing personal files.
- Storage security.
- Computer forensics and law enforcement.
- Updating motherboard firmware including BIOS and UEFI
- Launching of an operating system by way of booting.
- Application carriers.
- A backup medium.
- A digital audio player.
- Media storage and marketing.
- Brand and product promotion
- Security systems.
- Arcade game.
References:
- http://pcsupport.about.com/od/termsag/g/flashdrive.htm
- http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/U/USB_flash_drive.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_flash_drive
- http://images.wisegeek.com/plugging-in-usb-drive.jpg
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