(Secure Digital Memory Card) A flash memory card that provides storage for digital cameras, cellphones and PDAs. SD Cards use the same 32x24mm form factor as the MultiMediaCard (MMC), but are slightly thicker (2.1mm vs. 1.4mm), and SD Card readers accept both formats. Introduced in 1999 by Panasonic, Toshiba and SanDisk, cards up to 4GB are available.
Fast Storage
Although SD Cards support encryption and content protection (the "Secure" in SD), they have been mostly used for regular storage due to their small size and fast transfer rate (10 and 20 MB/sec). SD uses NAND flash technology (see flash memory).
MiniSD and MicroSD Cards
Miniature variations of the SD Card were introduced with dramatically smaller footprints: the miniSD in 2003 and the microSD in 2005, the latter previous called "TransFlash." Electrically, as well as software compatible, miniSD and microSD cards fit into a regular SD slot via an adapter. See gruvi card, SDIO card and MultiMediaCard.
The SD Lineup
The tiny microSD is only 15x11x1mm, compared to the miniSD at 21.5x20x1.4mm and the full-size SD Card at 32x24x2.1mm. The "gruvi" card at the top left is a copy protected version of the microSD for paid content (see gruvi card). (Image courtesy of SanDisk Corporation, www.sandisk.com)
Adapters
MiniSD and microSD cards are plugged into full-size SD Card slots with an adapter, as in this microSD example. (Image courtesy of Power Quotient International Co., Ltd., www.pqimemory.com)
SD Cards Vs. MultiMediaCards
SD Cards are similar to MultiMediaCards, but thicker (2.1mm vs. 1.4mm). They also have indents on their sides, two more pins for data and a locking mechanism used for file protection.
Fast Storage
Although SD Cards support encryption and content protection (the "Secure" in SD), they have been mostly used for regular storage due to their small size and fast transfer rate (10 and 20 MB/sec). SD uses NAND flash technology (see flash memory).
MiniSD and MicroSD Cards
Miniature variations of the SD Card were introduced with dramatically smaller footprints: the miniSD in 2003 and the microSD in 2005, the latter previous called "TransFlash." Electrically, as well as software compatible, miniSD and microSD cards fit into a regular SD slot via an adapter. See gruvi card, SDIO card and MultiMediaCard.
The SD Lineup
The tiny microSD is only 15x11x1mm, compared to the miniSD at 21.5x20x1.4mm and the full-size SD Card at 32x24x2.1mm. The "gruvi" card at the top left is a copy protected version of the microSD for paid content (see gruvi card). (Image courtesy of SanDisk Corporation, www.sandisk.com)
Adapters
MiniSD and microSD cards are plugged into full-size SD Card slots with an adapter, as in this microSD example. (Image courtesy of Power Quotient International Co., Ltd., www.pqimemory.com)
SD Cards Vs. MultiMediaCards
SD Cards are similar to MultiMediaCards, but thicker (2.1mm vs. 1.4mm). They also have indents on their sides, two more pins for data and a locking mechanism used for file protection.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2007 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
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