USB FLASH MEDIA TECHNICAL DATASHEET

Traceability & Identification

This section documents the physical and manufacturing identification features applied to all Nexcopy USB flash media.

Every Nexcopy USB flash drive includes permanent laser-etched identification applied directly to the metal USB connector. This marking is present on all Nexcopy media, including baseline professional media and all licensed USB products.

The laser etch includes:

• Lot number derived from Nexcopy’s internal order and production batch
• Controller identification corresponding to the controller selected during order configuration
• Capacity marking (GB) for rapid visual identification when multiple capacities are deployed together
• Nexcopy identification to confirm origin and authenticity

Lot number and controller identification allow Nexcopy and its contract manufacturing partner to trace each device to a specific production batch, component configuration, and programming profile. This traceability supports manufacturing-level failure analysis, production verification, audit review, and long-term consistency across repeat orders.

Laser etching is applied to the exterior surface of the USB connector shell on both sides. In addition, the Nexcopy name is printed directly on the PCB to provide internal physical identification of origin.

This level of permanent device identification is uncommon in commodity USB media. Most low-cost flash drives provide no visibility into controller selection, internal configuration, or production batch history.

Controller & Firmware Behavior

This section describes the shared hardware and firmware behavior of the Nexcopy USB flash media platform.

Nexcopy USB flash media uses qualified USB controller families selected and approved by Nexcopy prior to production. Controller selection is fixed at the time of order and remains consistent throughout the production batch to ensure predictable device behavior and repeatable performance.

Nexcopy has historically used qualified controllers from manufacturers including Alcor and Silicon Motion (SMI). Due to long-term availability and architectural changes in the market, Nexcopy is transitioning production to ITE-based controllers for future media. Media manufactured under this process will be designated as Nexcopy Certified Media and refers to USB flash media validated specifically for compatibility with Nexcopy professional duplication systems.

Unlike commodity USB media, where controller and firmware combinations frequently change without notice between production runs, Nexcopy maintains controlled selection of controller hardware and firmware behavior. This allows customers to qualify device behavior once and rely on consistent behavior across repeat orders.

Baseline Media Behavior

Standard (non-licensed) Nexcopy USB flash media operates using conventional USB Mass Storage Class (MSC) behavior. Devices enumerate as removable storage, contain no bundled software, and include no hidden functionality or background services.

Media is designed to function as true plug-and-play storage across Windows, macOS, and Linux environments without requiring drivers, agents, or companion software.

Firmware behavior for baseline media is fixed at the time of manufacturing and does not change post-production.

Licensed Product Firmware Behavior

Nexcopy licensed USB products (including Lock License, Disc License, Copy Secure, Encryption, Fixed Disk, HIPAA media, and authentication-based devices) use the same professional-grade hardware platform as baseline media. The functional differences between products are implemented through controller-level firmware configuration applied during manufacturing.

Licensed behavior is enforced at the device firmware level. These behaviors persist across operating system reinstalls, cannot be removed through formatting, and do not rely on host-side software agents for enforcement. Host-based formatting, repartitioning, or file system changes do not alter licensed device behavior.

Some licensed products (such as authentication-based devices) may optionally use companion software for management or integration purposes. However, the core behavioral enforcement remains embedded within the device controller itself.

Volatile vs Non-Volatile Device State

Nexcopy USB flash media contains no volatile runtime memory that persists after power removal. All behavioral configuration, licensing state, and access control logic is stored in non-volatile controller firmware and flash memory.

When power is removed, no session data, authentication state, encryption keys, or transient operational data remains resident on the device. Upon reconnection, devices enumerate from a known, fixed firmware state identical to initial deployment.

Production & BOM Control

This section documents manufacturing controls applied to ensure platform consistency across production batches.

Nexcopy USB flash media is classified under the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR) as EAR99. This classification applies to standard data storage devices that do not incorporate encryption functionality requiring separate export control classification. As EAR99 items, Nexcopy USB flash drives are generally eligible for export without a license to most destinations, subject to standard EAR restrictions and end-use/end-user considerations.

Controlled Bill of Materials (BOM) Per Order Batch

Nexcopy controls the internal bill of materials (BOM) for each production batch. This includes controller selection, PCB layout, and firmware configuration, so customers can reorder and receive functionally identical media without the unpredictable component substitutions common with commodity USB supply.

Micron NAND Commitment

Nexcopy standardizes on Micron NAND memory. While NAND part numbers may evolve over time, the vendor does not. This approach allows qualification results to remain valid across repeat orders without requalification unless Nexcopy explicitly notifies customers of a platform change.

If supply conditions ever require a controller change, Nexcopy commits to providing advance notice before any change is introduced into production.

What May Change Between Orders

BOM Consistency

Repeat orders are expected to deliver identical platform behavior, with the understanding that Micron part numbers may evolve while remaining validated and compliant with Nexcopy qualification requirements.

How This Differs From Commodity USB Supply

Bottom Line

Nexcopy media is designed for operational consistency, not price competition. Customers can qualify behavior once and rely on repeat orders without revalidating each shipment. Predictable device behavior is prioritized over lowest-cost sourcing.

Physical Characteristics

This section documents mechanical and physical attributes common across Nexcopy USB flash media.

Form Factors & Body Styles

Nexcopy USB flash media is available in multiple standardized body styles selected for durability, consistency, and professional deployment environments. All approved styles use the same internal electronics platform and support all Nexcopy configurations.

Dimensions, Print Area & Packaging Weights

Nexcopy USB flash media is available in multiple approved body styles. Dimensions, printable area, and packaging weights vary by style. The tables below provide reference specifications for deployment planning, printing layout, and shipping estimates.

Environmental & Reliability

The following environmental limits apply to the Nexcopy USB flash media platform across all approved variants.

Reliability & Validation

This section describes design intent and validation approach for long-term operational stability.

Operational Stability

Design goals include minimizing enumeration failures, intermittent disconnects, inconsistent behavior across hosts, and unstable performance under sustained workloads. Media is intended to behave consistently across laptops, desktops, embedded systems, and duplication environments.

Long-Term Use

Devices are intended for reuse across months or years. Customers frequently redeploy devices across projects and rely on consistent behavior across departments, locations, and usage cycles.

Sustained Performance Behavior

Performance is tuned for predictability under sustained read/write activity rather than short-duration benchmark peaks. This improves reliability during longer transfers and operational workflows.

Validation Approach

Production validation includes sustained read/write testing and internal verification using Nexcopy duplicators. The platform does not retain operational logs, session history, or usage metadata beyond what is explicitly stored by the user in the file system or enforced by licensed firmware behavior.

Design Philosophy

Nexcopy media prioritizes reliability over lowest possible cost, predictable behavior over benchmark performance, and engineering stability over cosmetic appearance. This reflects how professional organizations actually deploy USB media.

Questions & Documentation Requests

This technical datasheet documents the Nexcopy USB Flash Media Platform and is intended to provide sufficient detail for evaluation, qualification, and procurement review. Product-specific documentation, certifications, and ordering details are provided on individual product technical datasheets.

If your organization requires clarification, updated documentation, or certification guidance for a specific Nexcopy product, we recommend reviewing the relevant product technical datasheet first, as documentation scope and applicability vary by product type.

If additional questions remain after review, Nexcopy support can assist with documentation requests, qualification clarification, and compliance-related inquiries appropriate to your organization’s evaluation process.

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