Apacer: 1.8-Inch and 2.5-Inch PATA SSDs

Nowadays, new products in the SSD market have mostly been upgraded to the more efficient and high-speed SATA interface.

However, the majority of industrial computers (IPC) are still using the PATA interface (or IDE interface), which are now facing certain problems-malfunctioning and bad tracks are beginning to emerge in the older technology and facilities.

To solve the problem, one of the most viable upgrade options at this stage in terms of data security and cost effectiveness would be the PATA interface SSD with built-in security functions.

In response to customer needs, Apacer Technology Inc. launched value-added PATA SSDs with data security. These products come in two specifications – 2.5-inch, 44-pin AFD 257 and 1.8-inch 40-pin AFD 187.

Both models come with three built-in data security functions – Full Erase, Destroy, and Write Protect to provide advanced and upgraded data security advantages.

Apacer Data security technology provides
three protection options catering to different needs:

• Full Erase technology ensures effective and complete erasure of data stored in the User Block and Free Block to achieve thorough deletion of confidential information and prevent intentional data theft.
• Destroy technology is an advanced cleaning technology that clears data from not only the storage blocks but also the system blocks. The purpose is to completely destroy the drive, so that the information in the drive will not be retrieved and reused. This technology meets the requirement for national defense-class surveillance facilities, which requires fast and complete destruction of confidential data.
• Virtual Write technology protects the data stored in the drive. This technology is designed based on the concept of virtualization of the write-in process, which allows the user to choose from executing the write-in command or store the data in a temporary space. Under the temporary mode, the data is not written into the flash; instead it is stored independently from the OS. Therefore, when abnormal activities are discovered in the system, one simple reboot will make the temporary virtual data disappear completely and effectively. This prevents malicious or unintentional alteration of confidential information, without affecting the stability of the OS installed in the drive.

"To make the data security functions easy to trigger for customers, AFD 257 can be customized to suit different needs through combinations of software and hardware options," said Jeff Lin, the embedded application product division director of Apacer.

For the hardware-driven option, a wafer connector is designed at the bottom of AFD 257, which enables direct activation of the unit through simple plug-and-play of the male wafer header. However, this option is not available for some closed systems. Therefore, we have designed another option for the closed systems. Closed systems can be driven through external cables; all you need are customized buttons on the control panel to achieve direct connection to AFD 257 and upgrade your system.

The PATA interface AFD SSD series has expandability up to 256GB.

It comes with value-added security functions, but also the newe transmission technology – PIO Mode-4, MWDMA Mode-2, and Ultra DMA-6. It also supports 72-bit ECC function, wear-leveling technology, and S.M.A.R.T. self-monitoring analysis reporting technology.

Users can choose from the high stability SLC or most cost-effective MLC solutions. The SLC granules guarantee normal operation under an industrial temperature range (-40°C to 85°C), which means that the industrial systems remain stable even under long-term exposure to high-temperature or direct sunlight or extreme low temperature.