Solid State Systems SSS6698-BB is a USB flash drive controller commonly used in devices like the Kingston DataTraveler 2.0 . If you are looking for a guide, it is likely because your drive is showing as "No Media," is write-protected, or fails to format. 1. Identify Your Drive Details Before attempting a repair, confirm that your device uses the SSS6698-BB controller Use ChipGenius : Download and run the ChipGenius utility to verify the "Controller Part-Number" is exactly SSS6698-BB Note the VID and PID : These values (e.g., VID = 0951, PID = 1665) are essential for finding the correct firmware. 2. Standard Software Repairs If the hardware is still recognized by Windows but won't format, try these steps before flashing firmware: DiskPart (Clean Command) Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type to find your USB's disk number. select disk # (replace # with your USB's number). to wipe the partition table. create partition primary format fs=fat32 quick Kingston Format Utility : For Kingston-branded drives, use the Kingston Format Utility which can sometimes bypass standard Windows format errors. 3. Low-Level Firmware Flashing (MPTool) If standard methods fail, you must use a Mass Production Tool (MPTool) specifically for SSS controllers.
Solid State Systems SSS6698-BB: An In-Depth Technical Review of the USB 3.0 Flash Drive Controller Introduction In the world of flash storage, the controller is the unsung hero. It is the bridge between the raw NAND flash memory and the host computer, managing everything from error correction to data distribution and wear leveling. While enthusiasts often obsess over the brand of NAND (Samsung, Micron, Toshiba), the controller is what ultimately dictates performance, reliability, and longevity. One such controller that has quietly powered millions of USB flash drives in the mid-2010s is the Solid State Systems SSS6698-BB . Although it never achieved the celebrity status of high-end Silicon Motion or Phison controllers, the SSS6698-BB holds a significant place in storage history as a competent, cost-effective bridge between USB 2.0 and the emerging USB 3.0 standard. This article provides a deep dive into the architecture, performance characteristics, flash compatibility, known bugs, and legacy relevance of the Solid State Systems SSS6698-BB controller.
1. What is Solid State Systems (SSS)? Before examining the chip, it is essential to understand the company. Solid State Systems (often abbreviated as SSS or USBest, a sub-brand) was a Taiwan-based IC design house specializing in low-cost USB flash drive controllers. At their peak in the early 2010s, they were a key player in the value and mid-range segments. Their controllers were famous for being "reference designs" for many OEM manufacturers (like Kingston, PNY, and Transcend), especially in drives intended for bulk data distribution rather than high-performance computing. The SSS66xx series represented their third generation of USB 3.0 controllers. The SSS6698-BB is a specific stepping of their 6698 family, designed to balance cost, power consumption, and sequential read performance.
2. Technical Specifications of the SSS6698-BB Below is a detailed breakdown of the controller’s official specifications. | Feature | Specification | | :--- | :--- | | Interface | USB 3.0 (SuperSpeed, 5 Gbps) – backward compatible with USB 2.0/1.1 | | Processor Core | 32-bit RISC MCU (proprietary SSS architecture) | | NAND Channels | Single-channel (1-CH) architecture | | NAND Interface | Asynchronous ONFI 1.0/2.0, Toggle Mode DDR | | Supported NAND Types | SLC, MLC, TLC (up to 2-plane) | | Max Capacity | Up to 256 GB (per manufacturer documentation) | | ECC Engine | Hardware BCH up to 72-bit per 1KB (weak by modern standards) | | Manufacturing Process | 55nm CMOS | | Package | 32-pin QFN (Quad Flat No-lead) | | Typical Power Consumption | Active: 250mA; Idle: 50mA | Key Feature: The Single-Channel Bottleneck The most critical detail is the single-channel architecture. While high-performance USB 3.0 drives (like those using the IS903 or SM3260) use two or four parallel NAND channels to achieve read speeds over 200 MB/s, the SSS6698-BB is strictly single-channel. This means its peak theoretical throughput is limited by the speed of a single NAND die. Solid State Systems Sss6698-bb
3. Performance Analysis (Real-World vs. Synthetic) The SSS6698-BB is a textbook example of a "USB 3.0 compliant but not actually fast" controller. Here is what you can realistically expect. Sequential Read Speeds
Synthetic benchmark (ATTO/CrystalDiskMark): 80–110 MB/s Real-world (large ISO/video file): 65–95 MB/s Analysis: These speeds are approximately 2x faster than USB 2.0 (35 MB/s), but far below the 150–400 MB/s possible with high-end controllers. The single-channel interface creates a hard ceiling.
Sequential Write Speeds
SLC/MLC NAND: 20–40 MB/s TLC NAND: 8–15 MB/s (falls to 3-5 MB/s after cache exhaustion) Analysis: This is the controller's Achilles' heel. The combination of a weak ECC engine and single-channel design leads to notoriously slow writes, especially on TLC flash.
Random IOPS (4K)
Read: ~2,000 IOPS Write: ~200 IOPS Analysis: Abysmal by even 2014 standards. Do not attempt to run applications or operating systems directly from a drive using this controller. Solid State Systems SSS6698-BB is a USB flash
Thermal Performance The SSS6698-BB runs notably hot . Under sustained writes, the controller die can reach 65-75°C without external heatsinking. This is due to the inefficient 55nm process. Throttling is common: after writing 2-3 GB continuously, speeds will drop to USB 2.0 levels to prevent damage.
4. NAND Flash Compatibility and Factory Tools One area where the SSS6698-BB gained a cult following is in the data recovery and DIY repair community. This is because Solid State Systems released comprehensive MPTool (Mass Production Tool) software that allows users to low-level format, fix bad blocks, and change drive parameters. Supported NAND IDs (Partial List) The controller supports a wide range of legacy NAND: