MultiMediaCard (MMC) Technology & MultiMediaCard Association -
Frequently Asked Questions
MultiMediaCard (MMC) Technology (view glossary for industry term definitions)
Q1: Why should I choose MultiMediaCards
(MMCs)?
A1: Consumers should select MMCs, which are based on
an MMCA industry standard, for optimal performance, compatibility and cost.
The MMC standard supports a performance level that is two to four times the
maximum performance supported by other memory card standards. The full-sized
card is also compatible both SD and MMC card slots. In addition, the MMCA doesn’t collect royalties,
which results in a lower MMC manufacturing cost structure and passes savings
onto consumers.
Q2: What are the key markets for MMCs?
A2: The primary target
markets for MMCs are the mobile communications and digital imaging
sectors.
Q3: How do MMCs differ from SD cards and other memory card
solutions?
A3: MMCs and SD cards are based on separate but
related industry standards. Similarities in the standards allow MMCs
(including MMCmobile and MMCmicro with adapters) to be used in electronic
devices with expansion slots made for full-size SD cards. MMCs are not
compatible with other memory cards, such as Memory Stick and CompactFlash,
because they are based on unrelated standards.
MultiMediaCard Association (MMCA)
Q1: What is
MMCA?
A1: MMCA stands for the
MultiMediaCard Association. The organization develops and regulates open
industry standards that define a variety of removable and embedded memory
products, and drives worldwide acceptance of MMC solutions as the emerging
industry standard across multiple host platforms and markets. The
organization aggressively works toward full interchangeability and
compatibility among the cards produced by its members. MMCs offer an
unmatched array of features and benefits, and are becoming the industry
standard for compact removable storage media.
MMCA has a worldwide membership of companies representing several ecosystems of the mobile electronic industry, including: semiconductor suppliers, card makers, software vendors, and manufacturers of products such as mobile phones, digital cameras, portable music players, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and more.
Q2: What are the benefits of the MMC
standard?
A2: The MMC standard
offers a unique blend of benefits to a variety of users, including:
Consumer benefits:
- Sleek, slim, small and ultra portable
- Better value for consumers than competing memory card standards
- Able to store media-rich content used in leading-edge electronic products today
- Available at leading consumer outlets worldwide
Benefits to host manufacturers:
- Simple interface to work with
- Widely adopted industry standard
- Compact product packaging
- Extended battery life due to low-power consumption
- Interoperable with other phones, cameras, PCs, printers
Q3: What is the future of MMC standards?
A3: The MMC standard has extended beyond being just
a memory card standard. The MMCA is actively
defining standards in incorporating security features in MMCs, extending the
MMC interface protocol to embedded memory (e-MMC), hard disk drive
applications, and I/O peripheral devices.
MMCA recently announced a new multiple interface memory card named miCARD™. When used internally, the MMC interface enables low-power data transfer in power-sensitive host devices, such as cellular phones, smart phones, and PDAs. When used externally, miCARD builds on the performance and ease of use consumers currently experience with USB, supporting transfer speeds up to 480 Mbits/sec with full electrical, mechanical and software compatibility. Benefiting from the most successful peripheral interface in the world, consumers can use miCARD to move content from mobile devices to any product with a standard USB 2.0 connection – slots they already have - such as PCs, printers, audio players, and TVs.
A4: The MMCA has a compliance program, allowing
vendors to certify their products as fully compliant with the MMCA System
Specifications. Compliant cards can then include the MMC trademarked symbol
on their products.
Q5: Where can I obtain MMCA specifications?
A5: All specifications are available and can be
ordered from the MMCA Web site at
http://www.mmca.org/compliance/buy_spec/
Q6: Where can I purchase MMCs?
A6: For information on where you can purchase MMCs,
please contact your local retailer or preferred manufacturer for additional
details.
MMCA Solutions
A1:
| Solution |
Size | Explanation |
| MMCplus™ | 32 x 24
x 1.4 mm |
MMCplus™ cards come in the standard-sized MultiMediaCard form factor, and are ideal for digital imaging and other data intensive applications such as digital music on consumer electronic devices. |
| MMCmobile™ | 18 x 24 x 1.4 mm |
MMCmobile™ cards come in the reduced-sized MMC form factor. In addition to the required features of MMCplus, MMCmobile cards operate at both 1.65-1.95V and 2.7-3.6V ranges as a requirement. The smaller size and dual operating voltage ranges are ideal for mobile phone and other portable device applications where space saving and extended battery life are essential. |
| MMCmicro™ | 14 x 12 x 1.1 mm |
MMCmicro™ cards are designed to meet the latest market requirements for data storage in mobile phones. It operates at either 3.3 volts or 1.8 volts and is capable of data transfer rate of up to 26MB/s, the highest in performance amongst micro-sized memory card standards in the market. |
| SecureMMC | SecureMMC supports multiple on-card applications with the capability to communicate in parallel with the host and with remote servers through Internet Protocols channels. | |
| e-MMC™ |  |
e-MMC™ is an embedded storage solution with MMC interface, flash memory and controller, all in a small BGA package. It is based upon the industry-standard MMC System Specification and JEDEC BGA packaging standards. e-MMC supports the same interface speeds, multiple bus widths and operating voltages as MMCplus, MMCmobile and MMCmicro. |
| miCARD™ | 12 x 21 x 1.95mm |
miCARD™ is the first versatile storage solution to employ the MMC interface for internal applications and the USB 2.0 standard for external applications. When used internally, the MMC interface enables low-power data transfer in power-sensitive host devices, such as cellular phones, smart phones, and PDAs. When used externally, miCARD builds on the performance and ease of use consumers currently experience with USB, supporting transfer speeds up to 480 Mbits/sec with full electrical, mechanical and software compatibility. |
Q2: What's the difference between MMC/RS-MMC and
MMCplus/MMCmobile?
A2: MMCplus and MMCmobile cards are the brand names
endorsed by the MMCA for full-sized and reduced-sized MMCs that meet
specific features and functionality described in the MMC System
Specification from version 4.1 onward.
MMC/RS-MMC cards are generic names used for previous generation cards. Manufacturers may also choose to use the generic
names for spec. ver. 4.1 cards at their discretion.
Q3: What is Dual-Voltage RS-MMC (or DV
RS-MMC)?
A3: This refers to reduced-sized MMCs that support
dual-voltage (3V and 1.8V) operation. MMCmobile cards in the reduced-size
card form factor are required to support dual voltage operation.
Q4: If my device supports previous generation
full-sized and reduced-sized MMCs, will the MMCmobile and MMCplus Cards be
compatible?
A4: Yes. MMCplus and MMCmobile cards are
backward-compatible to host devices that support previous generation
MMCs.
Q5: What products use MMCmicro cards?
A5: You can use MMCmicro cards in many Samsung and
Lenovo cell phones, with many more devices to come. MMCmicro cards can also
be used in devices with a regular MMC or SD slot with means of a mechanical
adapter.
Q6: What is the largest amount of memory I can
buy in a MultiMediaCard today?
A6: MMCplus supports the largest amount of memory at
8GB. MMCmobile now supports 4GB and MMCmicro now
supports a capacity of 2GB. Memory
capacities typically double every 12-18 months.