ATP ProMax 4GB SDHC Class 6 Testing Result (ATP press realise)

 

ATPProMax SDHC Class 6

High Capacity and Performance for Next Generation Devices

 

SDHC background

 

The SD Card Association (SDA) is responsible for leading both the technical and marketing direction of the SecureDigital storage card standards and charged with the overall goal of promoting the widespread adoption of these standards in digital applications. The SD form factors of microSD, miniSD, and SD have had worldwide success in terms of device adoption and have advantages such as low power consumption, high transfer rates, and small outline form factors.

 

SD specification version 1.1, released in 2005, had a capacity limitation of 2GB due to the restriction of the FAT16 file system. With the release of SD2.0 in 2006, FAT32 formatting was specified and thus the 2GB capacity limit was removed. The SDHC term was created to define SD Cards using the FAT32 format, and with capacities over 2GB (SD2.0 cards 2GB and under will still be specified as ‘SD’). In addition to the SDHC standard, SD2.0 also defined a standardized measuring system for transfer speed based on the minimum sustained write speed. This is especially important for speed intensive applications such as SDLR photography and digital video recording.

 

What is SDHC?

 

SDHC basics
SD V2.0 defines two capacity types of SD Memory Cards:

Standard Capacity SD Memory Cards supporting capacities 2GB(2³¹ bytes) and under.

All versions of the Physical Specifications define the Standard Capacity SD Memory Card.

High Capacity SD Memory Cards supporting capacities greater than 2GB(2³¹ bytes) with an upper limit of 32 GB. These cards are specified with the term “SDHC.”

 

The SDHC cards have the following features:

1) Larger capacity(File system change from FAT12/16 to FAT32)

2) Mandatory speed class measuring standard(SD speed class)

3) CPRM copyright protection(same protection as SD)

4) Compact & slim(same size as SD)

 

Fig.1: SDHC logo as defined by the SD Association.

 

 

Fig.1 SDHC logo

 

 

Tab.1: Comparison between SDv1.01, SDv1.1, SDV2.0

 

 

 

Speed class

The SD Association has created and defined a 4 speed class rating system to standardize performance specification of SD/SDHC cards with an emphasis on write speed performance. This also helps the consumer match their application needs with the appropriate performance SD/SDHC card.

Speed Classes:

Class 0 - These class cards do not specify performance. These include cards produced before the specification, regardless of performance.

Class 2 - transfer speed rating of 2 MB/sec to 4 MB/sec

Class 4 – transfer speed rating of 4 MB/sec to 6MB/sec

Class 6 - transfer speed rating of 6MB/sec and above

 

All High Capacity SD Memory Cards are required to support at least a Speed Class Rating of 2.

 

The Speed class number is verified under some measurement conditions (see Tab.2 below) by a specified tester authorized by the SDA. Tab.2 shows measurement conditions for each Speed Class. The minimum performance of 2MB/sec, 4MB/sec, and 6MB/sec mentioned above are the required parameters in tab.3 under thses circumstances. It greatly differs from the read/write speed we usually refer to, which is tested using a software on PC. For example, ATP ProMax SDHC Class 6, the data transfer speed can reach to 22.5MB.

 

Tab.2 measurement condition

 

 

In tab. 2, f_SD is the minimum SD clock frequency and S_RU is the minimum RU (Recording Unit) size specified to meet class performance. A class 6 card must satisfy two measurement conditions and must also support high-speed mode. A higher Speed Class may require a higher frequency or a larger RU size. These values provide margin for host applications running at maximum speed.

 

Tab.3 identifies the requirement of the parameters for each class under measurement conditions.

All conditions of any Class should apply simultaneously. Any cards with a specific speed class must also satisfy the requirements and conditions of lower Classes. For example, a Class 6 card must also satisfy class 4 requirements.

 

 

Tab.3 Requirement of performance parameter

 

 

Please refer to the official SD v2.0 spec by the SDA for more information.

 

Fig.2: Speed Class logos, mandatory on all SD2.0 card labels.

 

 

Fig.2 Speed class logo

 

ATP’s SDHC solutions include an ATP Promax Class 6 high performance lineup and an ATP Standard Class 2 lineup.

 

SDHC application
As new SDV2.0 host devices are introduced to the marketplace, different performance requirements will appear from lower resolution point and shoot cameras to continuous shooting DSLR photography

 

Fig. 3 Required speed VS higher resolution

 

SDHC VS Host

SDHC host devices support both SDHC cards and standard SD cards. On the other hand, SD host devices support only standard SD cards and will not work with SDHC cards.

 

 

 

 

Fig. 4 SDHC VS Host

 

ATP ProMax SDHC Class 6

Super High speed

The ATP ProMax 4GB SDHC Class 6 is the latest addition to ATP ProMax family ( ). With transfer speeds reaching 22.5MB/sec and certified with the highest speed class rating of Class 6, the ATP ProMax 4GB SDHC will maximize the performance of any application. Built with the ATP renowned SIP (System-in-Package) technology, it is also waterproof, extreme temperature resistant, dustproof and shockproof.

Tab.4: HDBench test report on a standard notebook USB reader.

Tab.4 Test report

 

High capacity

The 4GB capacity allows for non-stop high megapixel DSLR shooting and longer periods of high resolution digital video recording. With ATP 8GB and higher SDHC capacities coming soon, ATP will more than meet the needs of these capacity hungry applications.

 

Tab.5 4GB SDHC capacity*

* These figures vary depending on each individual product.

 

High Reliability

ATP SIP (System in Package) technology provides complete encapsulation and protection of all vital flash components and contacts, protecting the cards from water, shock, dust, and ESD (ElectroStatic Discharge). ATP ProMax SDHC cards will continue to offer a high level of performance in any environmental condition you may face.

 

 

 

High compatibility

ATP ProMax SDHC cards offer full compatibility with all SD and SDHC devices including digital cameras, digital camcorders, PDAs, smartphones, GPS devices, digital music players, etc.
 

Before using an ATP ProMax SDHC card, please check the following for SDHC compatibility information:

 

a. SDHC logo on label, packaging and manual of the host device (Mandatory by the SDA).

b. Speed class logo on label, packaging and manual (Mandatory by the SDA).

 

 

 

 

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About ATP

Established in 1991, ATP Electronics, Inc. has always been a leading flash memory products manufacturer with industry leading design and production technology. Specializing in highest density and robust IC packaging, ATP offers a complete line of highly durable and reliable flash digital storage products.

ATP System-In-Package (SIP) Flash card manufacturing process is the backbone to our superior build quality and durability. The industry leading SIP process involves advanced wire bonding, stacking, and encapsulation stages which make ATP products more consistently durable and reliable.

The industry leading manufacturing technology has enabled ATP to be the first to market on flash products such as the ultra high speed, ProMax 4GB SDHC Class 6 (SD High Capacity) card. Continuing this trend ATP will soon be the first in the world to release an 8GB SDHC.

The ATP name continues to grow through both retail and OEM sales channels. With multiple offices in the United States, Asia, and Europe, ATP offers worldwide support in both engineering and sales. ATP adheres to the strict ISO9001 QA standards for quality and compatibility. All ATP memory products are RoHs, CE, and FCC approved.

For more information on ATP memory products, visit www.atpinc.com.

Matjaz Intihar, Zeljko Bozic / translated by Joze Sveticic