MMC Cards Just Got Smaller

The MultiMediaCard Association (MMCA) has approved a standard for a smaller version of the MultiMedia card. The new Reduced Size MultiMedia cards (RS-MMC) are approximately one-half the size of the standard MultiMedia card. These were designed for mobile phones where space is at a premium but could potentially be used in handhelds, too.

The new cards will be manufactured and marketed by various members of the MMCA. RS-MMC cards that are 16 to 64 MB will be available soon and 128 MB and 256 MB ones will be available in 2003.

A standard MMC card is 24 by 32 by 1.4 mm, while a RS-MMC card is 24 by 18 by 1.4 mm. A reduced size card can be used in a full size MMC slot with a mechanical expander. A regular MMC card can be used in slot intended for a RS-MMC card, though of course it will stick out.

Takashi Totsuka, Department Manager, Memory Application System Department, Semiconductor & Integrated Circuits at Hitachi, Ltd., "The epoch-making small form factor of RS-MMCs allows the design of mobile devices such as advanced cell phones, digital cameras, silicon audio players and high density data acquisition systems that contain enormous content levels within restricted volume. RS-MMCs, with current density rages of 16/32/64 MB, use our multilevel flash memories and advanced MCM (Multi Chip Module) technology, and they also satisfy all compliance issues. We will achieve 128/256 Mbytes RS-MMCs next year."

The MMCA developed and regulates open industry standards that define all types of MultiMedia cards. The organization charges no royalties for using the membership-driven standard, except a license fee which is included in the membership dues. The MMCA has over 100 members worldwide.