Micron Technology announced this week a full portfolio of edge storage solutions for video surveillance that will enable new deployment models and reduce total cost of ownership for both commercial and enterprise use cases. The new industrial-grade microSD products will be available in 2018 and will leverage Micron’s 3D NAND technology, providing up to 256GB of ultra-high-density storage.
Micron’s new solutions give system designers unprecedented freedom in the design of large distributed video surveillance systems. This architectural approach enables large amounts of video to be stored at the network edge, with a unique level of reliability for 24×7 video recording.
In addition, Micron announced collaborations with the Shenzhen Security and Protection Industry Association (SSPIA) and China channel partner, Jinyu Global, to speed deployment of the new Micron-based solutions regionally.
Most microSD cards are designed for consumer applications, such as digital cameras and car dash cams, and are not suitable for continuous, 24×7 recording over years in harsher environments.
In contrast, the new Micron industrial microSD cards are designed to meet the demands of surveillance edge storage use cases and feature, including storage densities of 32GB, 64GB, and forthcoming ultra-high-densities of 128GB and 256GB, which enable more video to be stored at the edge, giving system designers increased flexibility. Over three years of high-quality, continuous, 24×7 video recording in a range of temperatures and environments; technology for the cards to self-monitor and provide information on card usage and expected useful life remaining for each card; and special firmware designed for continuous video recording, which minimizes frame drops and video loss.
The ultra-high-density products are possible because of process technology — in this case, 64-tier 3D NAND technology produced at Micron’s Singapore fabs. This technical expertise is enabling Micron to introduce storage solutions for new markets, such as industrial video surveillance.
Accelerating industry momentum for the system solutions, Jinyu Global has seen early customer success. Additionally, Micron is entering into a strategic collaboration with SSPIA as a technology advisor and will work jointly with the association to provide cutting-edge solutions to China’s surveillance industry.
“We are excited to add Micron edge technology to our portfolio of surveillance storage solutions,” said Charles Zhang, vice president for Jinyu. “This technology will help educate system designers and solution providers to understand the value of integrating edge storage into future projects to increase reliability and lower TCO.”
“Micron truly understands surveillance use cases, and launching edge storage solutions on advanced flash memory technology will change the way video is captured and stored in future surveillance deployments,” said Michael Yang, vice president for SSPIA. “We view our strategic technical collaboration with Micron as a way to educate and promote edge storage, and to better meet China’s future needs in video surveillance.”
“Customers across Europe are increasingly asking for edge storage to meet the demanding requirements of 24×7 recording,” said Michaël Uyttersprot, Technical Marketing Manager, EMEA Embedded Vision at Avnet Silica. “They are also asking for higher densities that will enable longer timespans of video surveillance footage to be retained in cameras at the edge. We look forward to discussing how Micron’s 3D NAND addresses these needs at the upcoming SecTech show in Sweden.”
“The video surveillance industry is unique as its customers demand consistent recording performance over years of use,” said Jeff Bader, vice president of the Embedded Business Unit at Micron. “Edge storage improves the economics of this high-growth market and delivers value for camera OEMs, system integrators and end customers by improving video quality and increasing network reliability. Our collaborations with Jinyu and with the industry association in Shenzhen will help ensure that Micron is aligned with industry standards while expanding its storage offerings and presence in China and beyond.”
Edge video — defined by the ability to store data or video content within a camera versus in a centralized recording facility across the network — is the future of IP video surveillance applications. By leveraging Micron’s highly reliable local microSD card storage, system integrators can optimize designs that factor in IP network load and capacity availability, recording redundancy and mobile access. Additionally, IHS Markit, a global business information provider, forecasts that the global market for video surveillance equipment will be worth $19.7 billion in 2020.
The 32GB and 64GB versions of the Micron industrial microSD cards are available now. The 128GB and 256GB versions are scheduled to begin general sampling early next year and volume shipments by the second quarter of next year.
