Memory-Card Reader Takes On An Assortment Of Formats

Aug. 23, 2004

The wide variety of memory-card types and their infiltration into digital cameras, PDAs, cell phones, MP3 players, and so on require host systems to be as flexible as possible. The USB2223 and USB2224 memory-card reader chips from SMSC provide that flexibility by handling as many as 10 different formats. They also communicate and get their power over a USB 2.0 interface.

These chips support all major memory-card standards. The USB2224 also supports the new xD Picture Card. Both come complete with compliance certification testing from the xD Picture Card Office. Solidgear, a third-party test lab, performed complete Memory Stick standard compliance testing as well. Other supported standards include SmartMedia cards, Memory Stick Pro, High-Speed Memory Stick, Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, NAND flash, Compact Flash I and II (CF), and CF form-factor ATA hard drives.

The USB2223 and USB2224 both feature over 50 user-programmable settings, so designers can customize chip operations for their applications. Power-management logic minimizes power consumption at the system level while delivering maximum efficiency. Up to four memory-card slots can operate simultaneously, allowing for the simultaneous operation of logical icons.

Internally, the chips perform 1-bit error-checking and correction to ensure data integrity. Systems can boot from flash media cards that support the USB bulk mass-storage-compliant bootable BIOS as well.

The card readers come in a 128-lead TQFP that measures 14 mm on a side and just 1 mm thick. In lots of 1000, they cost $4.45 each. Production quantities are available now.

See associated figure

SMSCwww.smsc.com

About the Author

Dave Bursky | Technologist

Dave Bursky, the founder of New Ideas in Communications, a publication website featuring the blog column Chipnastics – the Art and Science of Chip Design. He is also president of PRN Engineering, a technical writing and market consulting company. Prior to these organizations, he spent about a dozen years as a contributing editor to Chip Design magazine. Concurrent with Chip Design, he was also the technical editorial manager at Maxim Integrated Products, and prior to Maxim, Dave spent over 35 years working as an engineer for the U.S. Army Electronics Command and an editor with Electronic Design Magazine.