Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
puter has a disk drive letter just like your other drives. Later types of flash memory also
use the ATA architecture, either implemented in the device or in its controller.
TheoriginalsizewasTypeI(3.3mmthick);anewerTypeIIsize(5mmthick)accommod-
ateshigher-capacitydevices.BothCompactFlashcardsare1.433-inchwideby1.685-inch
long, and adapters allow them to be inserted into laptop computer PC Card slots. The
CompactFlash Association (
www.compactflash.org
)
oversees development of the stand-
ard.
SmartMedia
Ironically, SmartMedia (originally known as SSFDC for
solid state floppy disk card
) is
the simplest of any flash memory device; SmartMedia cards contain only flash memory
on a card without control circuits. This simplicity means that compatibility with different
generationsofSmartMediacardscanrequiremanufacturerupgradesofSmartMedia-using
devices. Now defunct, the Solid State Floppy Disk Forum originally oversaw develop-
ment of the SmartMedia standard.
Tip
If you use a SmartMedia-based Olympus digital camera that has the panorama feature, be
sure to use Olympus-brand SmartMedia because other brands lack support for the panorama
feature.
MultiMediaCard
The MultiMediaCard (MMC) was codeveloped by SanDisk and Infineon Technologies
AG (formerly Siemens AG) in November 1997 for use with smart phones, MP3 players,
digitalcameras,andcamcorders. TheMMCusesasimple7-pinserialinterface todevices
and contains low-voltage flash memory. The MultiMediaCard Association
(
www.mmca.org
)
was founded in 1998 to promote the MMC standard and aid develop-
ment of new products. In November 2002, MMCA announced the development of the
Reduced Size MultiMediaCard (RS-MMC), which reduces the size of the standard MMC
by about 40% and can be adapted for use with standard MMC devices. The first flash
memory cards in this form factor were introduced in early 2004 to support compact smart
phones. In 2008 the MMCA merged with JEDEC (
www.jedec.org
).
SecureDigital
A SecureDigital (SD) storage device is about the same size as an MMC (many devices
canusebothtypesofflashmemory),butit'samoresophisticatedproduct.SD,whichwas
codeveloped by Toshiba, Matsushita Electric (Panasonic), and SanDisk in 1999, gets its
