Created by Motorola and SanDisk, this tiny-sized card is equal to a fingernail but has a great purpose. In the world of Technology, where everyone relies on computers and smartphones for work. From making calls to submitting work assignments before the deadline, we need a storage system to protect our valuable data. A TransFlash (TF) card is here to help you. But what is a TF card? Let’s find out.

TF Card 

Here is the descriptive answer to “What is a TF Card?” TransFlash (TF) Card is a Micro Secure Digital (SD) Card that is so tiny that it can fit inside any device. Don’t judge by the size because it can store about 128GB. The storage capacity of TF cards varies in size. Devices like Speakers, CCTV surveillance cameras, phones, Computers, GPS devices, Flash Memory Disks, and Portable music players. 

Slot 

A slot is an opening found in devices that store memory data. These slots are made according to the size of Micro SD or TF cards. Made of metal, it gets connected to the devices. When you put an sd card in these slots, the device will detect it and connect it with the data system of any device like a phone or speaker.

Some devices don’t have a system for using micro SD cards as they only have slots for larger SD chips.

How is it made?

What is a TF card? A TransFlash card. There are necessary steps in making TF cards from manufacturing and shipping as mentioned below : 

Development

• Digital blueprint of the TF card is analyzed to execute the process. 

Fabrication 

• Memory chip designing is the very first step in making a TransFlash card.

Micro Technology

• Computer-aided technical tools are used to design the TF cards.
• Billions of electronic components are determined to ensure the specification of each path. 
• Paths in TF cards are 5000 times narrower than a human hair.
• Each wafer through a thousand processes.
• One month is the least time it takes to make a memory chip.

Probe

• The die on each wafer goes through a probe functionality test to check its structure and capacity.

Assembly

• Wafers’ mass is reduced by pressuring them. 
• Then they are stuck to an adhesive sheet.
• Diamond edge saw is used to cut the wafer from the sheet and each wafer is placed on the circuit with the help of a solid gold wire.
• The Molding process encapsulates each die in a protective plastic package.

Final test

• Now the circuit is ready to go through the final process.
• Each microchip goes through hundreds of tests to check its quality which meets high standards.

Proprietary Ambix Testers

• Proprietary Ambix Testers put microchips through bad conditions like fire tests, dropping on the floor, water tests, and other situations to find weak microchips. 
• Customers are a priority. That’s why they should get the best quality material.

Additional Test Equipment 

• Additional Test Equipment verifies each part of the circuit to meet all the requirements.
• Speed test is done to meet the criteria of TF cards.
• Then, performance specifications are done.

Packaging 

• All microchips which pass the quality test are laser marked with serial numbers and size detail.
• Memory chips are scanned optically to verify their durability and fit.
• Standard anti-static packaging ensures safety from any kind of damage during shipping.

Final Assembly 

• Finished parts of microchips are used to build memory modules.
• Automated surface mount assembly equipment is used to mount memory to print circuit boards.
• All products of microchips go through tests using proprietary memory modules.
• Now the packages are finalized to put into boxes.

And “What is a TF card?” got its answer. 

TF Card vs SD Card 

What is a TF card? And How is it different from an SD card?

Even though both cards belong to the same category of the storage system and can replace each other if required, still there are numerous differences between TransFlash cards and Secure Digital cards based on the following criteria : 

• Origin: The TD card is a collaboration project of Motorola and SanDisk that came into implementation in 2004 while the SD card was developed by Panasonic, Toshiba, and SanDisk in 1999.
• Technology used: TF card uses state-of-the-art NAND MLC Technology and a Sandisk controller whereas SD card uses a volatile external storage system format of branches such as SDUC, SDXC, and SDHC based on semiconductor flash memory.
• Application: TF cards are used in the slot of smartphones due to their micro size and can be inserted in devices such as Portable music players, GPS devices, and flash memory disks whereas in SD cards are used in multimedia players and digital cameras.
• Size & Shape: In the case of size and appearance, TransFlash cards have specified dimensions of 15 mm x 11 mm x 1 mm while the Secure digital cards consist of dimensions of 32mm x 24mm x 1.4mm.
• Design: TF cards are designed to be small in size compared to the size of SD cards, preservation and functionality are better in TF cards.
• Versatility: TF cards are versatile as they can be used in more devices than SD cards which are made for slots available in a limited number of devices.
• Progression: TransFlash cards are developed by their companies to be more efficient in storing capacity and the development process is going on to meet the requirements of the customers and bring the best in front of them whereas SD cards are developed and still working with those features, there is no updated news on their development.
• Storage capacity: TF cards have storage capacities of 128G 64G 32G 16G 8G 6G 4G 2G 1G 512M 256M 128M while SD cards can store in 128G 64G 32G 16G 8G 6G 4G 2G 1G 512M 256M 128M.
• Price: SD cards cost high prices compared to affordable TF cards. 

Recommendation

1. SanDisk Ultra HC Class 10 TF Flash SDHC Memory Card – 32GB
2. nuiflash Class 10 High-speed TF card – 512GB
3. alisinsen High-speed Class 10 TF card – 256GB
4. Sandisk SDXC Ultra class 10 TF card – 128GB
5. superduoduo Class 10 High-speed TF card – 128GB

These are the Top five most in-demand TransFlash cards available on e-shopping websites.