Apacer: Industrial-Grade USB Keys With Security

Unlike consumer USB storage drives, the industrial USB devices require data security, integrity, and stability.

This is true of devices created in response to varying situations, special customization requirements, and particularly unstable or extreme environments. Typically, components for equipment utilized in industrial markets undergo testing to ensure compatibility prior to use.

Apacer Technology, Inc. has developed a range of gage-level USB storage solution designs for terminal applications in industrial markets, including for vertical applications in the gaming, transportation, medical, and financial industries as well as in automation markets. Products are available for EH322, EH353, and EH163-M (Chip-on-Board support) with USB 3.0 interface.

EH163-M

Full-series industrial USB storage applications feature following characteristics:

• Customized software and hardware service
  The company is a well-established provider of industrial storage application technologies and has the capacity to conduct hardware and software research independently, allowing us to provide clients with customized products and value-added service. For instance, ordinary consumer USB storage devices are designed with removable device settings when they are manufactured. The firm, however, can manufacture non-removable USB storage devices in compliance with clients’ requirements to be utilized as system storage disks. Another possibility is to have set data formatting restrictions and set USB flash drive storage capacities.

• Severe shock-resistant chips selected through environmental testing
  The company and its alliance of suppliers utilize high-quality flash memory chips that allow products to operate in temperatures ranging from -40°C to 85°C. The shock resistance of the internal structure meets military MIL-STD810G/MIL-STD202G specifications to ensure stable operations in extreme and harsh of environments.

• Software data security and protection technology
  Built-in error checking and correcting (ECC) firmware can instantly detect abnormal potential changes and corrections in order to avoid the writing of incorrect data. In addition, management personnel can utilize custom anti-write mechanisms to set write protection sectors, restrict writing, and alter and delete data permissions. The USB storage solutions set multiple protection mechanisms within the software and firmware to protect against data leaks.

• Global wear-leveling technology integrated with SMART monitoring software
  In addition to built-in global wear-leveling technology, the USB solutions also feature optimal storage space utilization and increased product lifespans. They are equipped with S.M.A.R.T. real-time monitoring software, enabling administrators to more thoroughly monitor USB usage data like the average and maximum erase times, the total number of blocks damaged after use, and predicted service life. Users can also diagnose the health of a USB device in real-time to avoid instances of abrupt failure and the resultant data corruption.

• Long-term commitment to supplying secure and stable storage solutions
  Industrial equipment comes with a high cost but can be utilized for a number of years. To ensure compatibility even as materials change during the dozens of years that a piece of equipment is in use, the company pledges a long-term supply of USB storage solutions with a fixed BOM certification.

Clients can add another level of protection by using the vendor and product identification code (VID/PIC), as well as factory serial number settings that bind USB products to specific devices in order to track usage and to deny access by other equipment. In the gaming industry, these characteristics help avoid both the risks that arise when changing materials and the trouble of obtaining re-verification of certifications.