Flash Memory

Flash memory is a type of non-volatile memory (meaning that its data is retained even after the power is turned off) that can be erased electrically and reprogrammed. Flash memory is technically a type of EEPROM but costs much less than non-flash EEPROMs. There are two types of Flash memory available based on how the connections are made internally and how the internal memory cell operates. There are NOR types and NAND types, and in single level cell (SLC) devices, each cell stores one bit of data. Multi-level cell (MLC) devices including Triple level cell (TLC) devices store more than one bit per cell. NAND flash memory can be programmed and erased in blocks (or pages), and NOR flash can be programmed and erased in individual bytes. Other non-volatile memories need the entire chip to be erased at one time.