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Memory card has more possibilities

Matsushita has announced the creation of a universal flash memory card designed for the industrial data and consumer electronics markets.

By Darius Mehri, Regional Technical Editor -- Design News, July 17, 2000

Tokyo—Matsushita has announced the creation of a universal flash memory card designed for the industrial data and consumer electronics markets. The SD (Secure Digital) Memory Card is said to be a modified, highly secure, and significantly improved version of the MultiMediaCard introduced in 1997 by SanDisk and Siemens.

Measuring 32 mm long, 24 mm wide, and 2.1 mm thick, the card can achieve a capacity up to 64 Mbytes and is packaged in a high-performance, nine-pin SD interface that enables data transfer of up to 2 Mbytes per second.

Features of the SD memory card include the ability to store both copy-protected and non-protected data. The copy-protected data is secured by either a card-bound identification or by an active cryptography algorithm that involves challenge/response protocols using a private key. Under this security scheme, a content provider's data can be checked in, checked out, and copied to other compliant cards. The user also has the option of using a mechanical write-protection switch that prevents overwriting the card and destroying data.

Applications for the SD Memory Card may be extensive. For instance, because they require minimal power, they can easily run on devices that operate on only one or two "AA" batteries. Examples include consumer electronics devices such as mini CD and DVD players, cellular phones, and Global Positioning System navigation devices. Furthermore, several flash memory chips can be stacked in the card for obtaining mass storage capabilities, enabling access to the growing wireless e-commerce services. Faxes, voice and e-mail messages, Internet files, and software applications can be securely downloaded using sophisticated security features.

GPS positioning information is expected to be useful for owners of cellular phones. Consider a business user in an unfamiliar city. The person can access real-time map coordinates to find his exact location and at the same time can contact a business associate to receive directions on where to meet for an appointment. At around 4 Mbytes per map, a user can carry enough information to cover the entire metropolitan area of a city the size of New York on only one SD Memory Card.

By the year 2001, Matsushita plans to produce SD Memory Cards with a capacity of 256 Mbytes and data speed of 10 Mbytes/sec. This will increase the possibility of the SD Memory Card becoming a universal storage solution for consumer and mobile devices.

For more information about SD memory cards from Matsushita: Circle 536

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