Using XD picture card for data storage

[Richard Swaby]

Has anyone managed to use an XD picture card for data storage? If so
I'd appreciate some advice.

I understand that the XD picture card is electrically similar to the
smartmedia card, but there appears to be a lack of definitive
information.

I'm attempting to upgrade a product which uses a smartmedia card to
use an XD picture card. The application works fine with a small (16Mb)
XD card. The problem occurs with two different 256Mb card.
Specifically, the XD card pulls the BUSY signal low when 4th address
byte is written. It stays low and only a reset command will release
it. The problem has worsened in that BUSY sometimes stuck low after a
write command and only occasionally after writing the address. Now it
happens every time the address is written.

Incidentally, the card behaves normally in a USB card reader attached
to my PC.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Richard

 

[[email protected]]

I'm attempting to upgrade a product which uses a smartmedia card to
use an XD picture card. The application works fine with a small (16Mb)

Since you have to spin the PCB anyway, I suggest you upgrade to SD/MMC.
xD is a relatively unpopular, totally closed format. MMC and SD are at
least semi-open.