Single-level cell

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Flash memory stores data in individual memory cells, which are made of floating-gate transistors. Traditionally, one bit of data was stored in each cell in so-called single-level cells, or SLC flash memory. SLC memory has the advantage of faster write speeds, lower power consumption and higher cell endurance.^[1] However, as it stores less data per cell, it costs more per megabyte of storage to manufacture. Due to faster transfer speeds, SLC flash technology is used in high-performance memory cards.

Multi-level cell (MLC) flash memory stores two or more bits in each cell, with the "multi-level" referring to the multiple levels of electrical charge used to store multiple bits per cell. By storing more bits per cell, multi-level cell memory will achieve lower manufacturing costs, but they have slower transfer speeds, higher power consumption and lower cell endurance than single-level cell memory.^[2] MLC flash technology is used mostly in standard memory cards. The multi-bit cell, MBC, is a similar technology to the multi-level cell but stores only two bits per cell.

[edit] See also

• Flash memory
• Multi-level cell

1. ^ http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/SLC.html
2. ^ http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/M/MLC.html