USB-C Thumb Drive Design
Worked for 1 min 49 sec
These are real architecture options. My ranking:
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Best product path: Option 4 — SM2320 + matched NAND
- Native USB-C / USB 3.2 Gen2x2-class.
- Public specs suggest up to ~4 TB and ~2 GB/s class performance.
- Best fit for “own PCB + fast.”
- Main blocker: likely needs Silicon Motion / NAND partner support for firmware tools, NAND AVL, and full datasheet.
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Best DIY/prototype path: Option 1 — SM3281AB + NAND + HD3SS3220 mux
- More accessible tooling appears to exist.
- USB 3.0-class, but lower performance and more trial-and-error.
- Needs mux because the controller exposes one fixed SuperSpeed lane.
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Good silicon but support-dependent: Option 3 — Phison PS2251-17 / U17
- Strong USB 3.2 native storage controller.
- But public production tooling for U17 looks much less clear than older Phison parts.
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Not for this product: Option 2 — FC1179AB USB 2.0
- Useful learning build, but too slow.
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Future/overkill: Option 5 — SM2322/SM2324
- Very fast, but newer and likely harder to access/support.
I documented the full review here: USB Flash Controller Options Review.
My recommendation: pursue SM2320 first if we can get partner/vendor support; otherwise prototype with SM3281AB + known-supported NAND.
Yes, pursue SM2320 first and list exactly what I need to request from Silicon Motion.
Thought for 5 sec
I’ll make SM2320 the primary architecture and create a concise vendor-request checklist you can send to Silicon Motion/NAND partners.
Worked for 35 sec
Done — I made SM2320 the primary architecture and created the exact Silicon Motion request checklist here: SM2320 Vendor Request Checklist.
In short, request:
- Full SM2320 datasheet, ball map, footprint, and reference schematic.
- USB-C implementation guidance, especially whether an external orientation mux is required.
- NAND approved-vendor list with exact Kioxia/Micron part numbers and supported capacities.
- Firmware / mass-production tool access and VID/PID/product-string configuration flow.
- Power, thermal, high-speed layout, reflow, and production-test guidance.
- NDA, MOQ, lead time, lifecycle, and approved partner information.
Do not design the final SM2320 schematic from the public product brief alone; we need the full engineering package or partner support first.
Draft email and plan
Draft SM2320 email
Update project spec
Create backup plan
Explain NDA basics
