MMC - the new memory of ER6?

You may have noticed references to MMC memory and MMC cards in some of the other pages, in specification for ER6 machines and in other ER6 literature. This brief article explains a little more about MMC and what it is.

MMC stands for Multi Media Card. We can get an introduction from the MMCA website:

The MultiMediaCard standard grew out of a joint development between SanDisk Corporation and Siemens AG/Infineon Technologies AG, and was introduced in November 1997.

MultiMediaCards weigh less than two grams and, about the size of a postage stamp, are the world’s smallest (24mm x 32mm x 1.4 mm) removable solid-state memory solutions for mobile applications.

MultiMediaCards use ROM technology for read-only applications and Flash technology for read/write applications. The cards are fast for excellent system performance; energy efficient for prolonged battery life in portable products; and cost-efficient for use in systems sold at consumer price points. The simple molded package has a seven pad (pin) serial interface. This easy-to-install simple serial interface offers easy integration into various devices regardless of the microprocessor used. The MultiMediaCard has a wide variety of uses in some of the most exciting products on the market today.

So MMC might be seen as a smaller version of compact flash (although currently MMC goes only to 64 MB). This would not be inaccurate. The difference is they are much smaller, they are therefore more suited to the new devices where space will be at a premium. The reason they are being used probably comes from Nokia involvement and use in the previous Nokia Communicators. What is important to note is that they may not be used by all manufacturers, there is no standard external memory set in the Device Reference Designs. However with Ericsson and Nokia being members of the MultiMediaCard Association it is likely that we will see a lot of MMC slots in the new ER6 devices.

Related Links:

• MMCA - MultiMediaCard Association
• ScanDisk MMC Specs
• ScanDisk - produce MMC cards ranging from 8 MB - 64 MB.
• Hitachi - as do Hitachi