Toshiba Announces New Family of High Speed SD Memory Cards

The new High Speed SD Cards are initially available in densities of 128MB and 256MB, and are designated SD-F1284B1 and SD-F2564B1, respectively. TAEC showcased the cards at the Consumer Electronics Show, held Jan. 8 - 11 in Las Vegas.

Toshiba's High Speed SD Memory Cards are based on Single Level Cell (SLC) NAND Flash technology, which stores one bit per cell, and utilize an optimized controller combined with large block NAND technology to achieve high data transfer rates. Toshiba's standard SD Memory Cards range in performance from 32MB to 512MB featuring Multi-Level Cell (MLC) NAND Flash from 64MB to 512MB. MLC NAND Flash allows each memory cell to store two bits of information, compared to one bit-per-cell for SLC NAND Flash, and provides excellent cost/performance value well-suited for use with a wide range of low to high- end digital still cameras, video cameras, cell phones, USB Flash drives, car navigation systems, electronic books and MP3 players.

"SD Memory Cards continue to grow in popularly for a wide range of applications," said Brian Kumagai, business development manager for NAND Flash memory at TAEC. "Toshiba developed this new line of High Speed SD Cards with faster write speeds to meet the needs of higher performance applications such as digital video, and faster downloading of digital content such as music and motion pictures. Professional photographers and avid hobbyists using high resolution digital still cameras can also benefit from these higher performing cards.

The industry-standard cards are packaged in the postage stamp sized SD card format, which measures 32mm x 24mm x 2.1mm. Toshiba's High Speed SD Memory cards are white to help users distinguish them from the company's standard SD Memory Cards, packaged in blue. The new SD cards employ Toshiba's advanced security technology to provide key enhancements over traditional flash cards such as cryptographic security, improved protection of copyrighted data, high data transfer rate for fast copy/download, and high storage capacity. The new cards, along with Toshiba's line of standard SD cards, complement Toshiba's comprehensive line of solid state storage cards which also include CompactFlash(TM), SmartMedia(TM) and PC ATA form factors.

  A 512MB High Speed SD Memory Card is planned for first quarter, 2004.

   Features
   *  High transfer rate for fast copy/download
   *  Lightweight and compact at 1.8 grams (g) and 32 millimeters (mm) long
      x 24mm wide x 2.1mm thick
   *  Low battery consumption for longer life in portable electronics
   *  Includes a user-selectable mechanical write protect switch on the
      exterior casing
   *  Compliant with Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI) Portable Device
      Specification requirements

   Key Specifications
   Part Number   SD-F1284B1         SD-F2564B1
   Capacity      128MB              256MB
   Packaging     SD Physical Layer Spec. V1.0 Compliant; 32mm x 24mm x 2.1mm
                 (length x width x height)
   Power Supply  Operating Voltage 2.7 volts (V) to 3.6V
   Security
    Features     SD Security Specification ver. 1.01 Compliant
   Operating     -25 degrees C to +85 degrees C
    Temperature
    Range (Max.) 0 degrees C to +55 degrees C recommended

  Pricing and Availability

Samples of Toshiba's 128MB and 256MB High Speed SD Cards are available now, priced at $70.00 and $110.00 each, respectively.

SD Card Background

The SD Memory Card is a revolutionary universal flash memory storage product designed to meet the converging security, capacity, ergonomic and performance requirements of emerging audio, video and multimedia consumer electronics markets. The SD Memory Card was jointly developed by Toshiba, SanDisk, and Matsushita, best known for its Panasonic brand name products. Although its encryption capability supports security and content protection applications, its initial usage has been mostly for regular storage due to its small form factor, fast data transfer rate and storage capacities. The card utilizes a 4-bit interface that enables it to have higher performance capabilities, including a faster data transfer rate, compared to the MMC, which employs a 1-bit interface. The SD Memory card is the fastest growing card format, with over 500 companies as members of the SD Association and involved with selling or designing applications using the SD standard.

NAND Flash Background

As a recognized pioneer in flash technology, Toshiba invented NOR-type flash technology in 1984 and NAND-type flash technology in 1987. Toshiba maintains leadership in flash technology today, with the industry's broadest selection of 1Gb NAND flash memory and a complete line of NAND memory in densities from 64Mb to 2Gb to meet various application requirements. NAND flash is becoming one of the leading technologies for solid state storage applications because of its high-speed programming capability, high-speed erasing, small block size and low cost. The sequential nature (serial access) of NAND-based Flash memory provides notable advantages for these block- oriented data storage applications. Toshiba's NAND Flash memory products are optimized for general solid state storage, image file storage and audio for applications such as solid state disk drives, digital cameras, audio appliances, set-top boxes and industrial storage.

*About TAEC

Combining quality and flexibility with design engineering expertise, TAEC brings a breadth of advanced, next-generation technologies to its customers. This broad offering includes semiconductors, flash memory-based storage solutions, optical communication products, displays and rechargeable batteries for the computing, wireless, networking, automotive and digital consumer markets.

TAEC is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba, the third largest semiconductor company worldwide in terms of global sales for the year 2002 according to Gartner/Dataquest's Worldwide Semiconductor Market Share Ranking. Toshiba is a world leader in high-technology products with more than 300 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. For additional company and product information, please visit TAEC's website at chips.toshiba.com . For technical inquiries, please e-mail Tech.Questions@taec.toshiba.com .

Information in this press release, including product pricing and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current on the date of the announcement, but is subject to change without prior notice. Technical and application information contained here is subject to the most recent applicable Toshiba product specifications. In developing designs, please ensure that Toshiba products are used within specified operating ranges as set forth in the most recent Toshiba product specifications and the information set forth in Toshiba's "Handling Guide for Semiconductor Devices," or "Toshiba Semiconductor Reliability Handbook." This information is available at http://www.chips.toshiba.com/, or from your TAEC representative.

SmartMedia is a trademark. CompactFlash is a trademark of SanDisk Corporation. All trademarks and tradenames held within are the properties of their respective holders.

CONTACT: Jan Johnson of Multipath Communications, +1-714-633-4008,
jan@multipathcom.com, for Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc.; or Lisa
Nemec of Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc., +1-949-455-2293,
lisa.nemec@taec.toshiba.com

Web site: http://www.toshiba.com/taec