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I would like to make a removable USB flash drive from scratch. I would probably start from component selection. And because this is not as exciting as some other DIY projects, I haven't found any reference designs I can follow. Is there a resource you can recommend to find a schematic of a usb flash drive so i can look at it as a reference design

Thank you!

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    \$\begingroup\$ Almost any USB-enabled MCU can be used for this. It's just a matter of getting the descriptors right and connecting the flash. \$\endgroup\$
    – Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams
    Aug 15, 2015 at 8:48
  • \$\begingroup\$ Doh. Somehow I was expecting something special. I guess I really have to start from scratch though! \$\endgroup\$
    – Adam Lee
    Aug 15, 2015 at 8:54
  • \$\begingroup\$ I found a couple USB 3.0 MCUs: \$\endgroup\$
    – Adam Lee
    Aug 15, 2015 at 9:06
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    \$\begingroup\$ I'm voting to close this as a shopping question, because it is, and because the goal is effectively pointless. There is no reason to make a one-off of an actual flash drive, as manufacturers who negotiate with parts suppliers do a much better job. For a unique related but in some way fundamentally distinct application, a general purpose MCU should be used, however no such specific requirement has been stated, so the only justified interpretation of the question is missing the information that would make it answerable. \$\endgroup\$
    – Chris Stratton
    May 21, 2016 at 17:43
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    \$\begingroup\$ @ChrisStratton It would be good if you don't try to discourage hobbyists/entrepreneurs trying something different. \$\endgroup\$
    – Milind R
    Jul 9, 2017 at 6:53

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The last of the "easy to find, easy to obtain datasheet" was the SMSC USB97C242. As memory sizes rapidly increased it was obsoleted a few years after its 2002 introduction.

Closest thing to that you will find today is a dedicated USB to SD card controller. USB2240 comes to mind. Use with commonly found SD Cards. You could use a eMMC NAND memory device (which has built in wear leveling) if you wanted to create a custom board and print a custom enclosure.

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    \$\begingroup\$ Thanks. Looks like a solid MCU for this project. The product page has similar products listed: microchip.com/wwwproducts/Devices.aspx?product=USB2240 Unfortunately it does not list any "superspeed" USB3 devices. And I can't seem to find a superspeed capable MCU (weird). So USB2240 might just do it. \$\endgroup\$
    – Adam Lee
    Aug 15, 2015 at 22:28

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