Post by thread:[PIC]: Flash cards and Pics?

Has any one had any success interfacing one of the large storage size flash cards (cf, smartmedia etc) to a PIC? We have been trying to interface a Compact Flash card to a prototype we are building without success, and are thinking of changing to a different type of media. Any recommendations? Thanks Graham --------------------------------- Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE Yahoo!Messenger -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads

I'm doing MMC presently; boards not done yet. Looks easier than the rest, which have lots of pins and a complex interface. MMC can be R/W-accessed with a 512-byte buffer and the SPI channel. It has 7 pins and its sister, the SD Card (Secure Data) card has just 9 pins. We think that the SD card can also be read with the MMC interface, but we weren't going to use it. Molex, Amphenol, and ITT-Cannon all make MMC sockets. --Bob At 02:52 PM 7/21/2003 +0100, you wrote: {Quote hidden}>Has any one had any success interfacing one of the large storage size >flash cards (cf, smartmedia etc) to a PIC? We have been trying to >interface a Compact Flash card to a prototype we are building without >success, and are thinking of changing to a different type of media. Any >recommendations? > >Thanks > >Graham > > >--------------------------------- >Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE Yahoo!Messenger > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: >[PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads --------------- NOTICE 1. This account can accept email & attachments up to 10M in size. 2. Federal Monitors: At request of client, some attachments are encrypted. Please DO NOT delay traffic; please reply with credentials for password. -------------- -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads

Thanks Bob, where would I find details of the MMC communications protocol? Thanks Graham Bob Axtell <spam_OUTcr_axtellTakeThisOuTYAHOO.COM> wrote: I'm doing MMC presently; boards not done yet. Looks easier than the rest, which have lots of pins and a complex interface. MMC can be R/W-accessed with a 512-byte buffer and the SPI channel. It has 7 pins and its sister, the SD Card (Secure Data) card has just 9 pins. We think that the SD card can also be read with the MMC interface, but we weren't going to use it. Molex, Amphenol, and ITT-Cannon all make MMC sockets. --Bob At 02:52 PM 7/21/2003 +0100, you wrote: {Quote hidden}>Has any one had any success interfacing one of the large storage size >flash cards (cf, smartmedia etc) to a PIC? We have been trying to >interface a Compact Flash card to a prototype we are building without >success, and are thinking of changing to a different type of media. Any >recommendations? > >Thanks > >Graham > > >--------------------------------- >Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE Yahoo!Messenger > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: >[PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads --------------- NOTICE 1. This account can accept email & attachments up to 10M in size. 2. Federal Monitors: At request of client, some attachments are encrypted. Please DO NOT delay traffic; please reply with credentials for password. -------------- -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads --------------------------------- Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE Yahoo!Messenger -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads

>Yup, we've had success with CompactFlash. You might try looking on the >internet for code, I've seen some code for CF around. Unfortunately I >don't have the URL, I remember it was actually a magazine type article >and the writer had choosen to use a PIC. It is a Circuit Cellar article. http://www.chipcenter.com/circuitcellar/february01/c0201ms1.htm -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads

We've been trying that code, and read the article but still can't get it to work :-( Graham "A.J. Tufgar" <.....tufgarajKILLspam@spam@MUSS.CIS.MCMASTER.CA> wrote: Yup, we've had success with CompactFlash. You might try looking on the internet for code, I've seen some code for CF around. Unfortunately I don't have the URL, I remember it was actually a magazine type article and the writer had choosen to use a PIC. Hope this helps, Aaron -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads --------------------------------- Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE Yahoo!Messenger -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads

> We think that the SD card > can also be read with the MMC interface, but we weren't going to use it. > Molex, Amphenol, and ITT-Cannon all make MMC sockets. I've been looking at SD too, mainly because they are cheaper than MMC (at least at one-odd retail prices). The interface is 7-pin too for SD (8, 9 pulled up to Vcc), and the interface is mostly similar except for one or two initialization commands. Cheers, Ishaan -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads

What kinds of problems are you having? -Mark At 03:44 PM 7/21/03 +0100, you wrote: {Quote hidden}>We've been trying that code, and read the article but still can't get it >to work :-( > >Graham > >"A.J. Tufgar" <tufgarajKILLspamMUSS.CIS.MCMASTER.CA> wrote: >Yup, we've had success with CompactFlash. You might try looking on the >internet for code, I've seen some code for CF around. Unfortunately I >don't have the URL, I remember it was actually a magazine type article >and the writer had choosen to use a PIC. > >Hope this helps, >Aaron > >-- ------------------------------------------- Mark Samuels ARMA Design Tel:(858) 373-1320 x115 Fax:(858) 373-1325 Email: .....markKILLspam.....armanet.com Web: http://www.armanet.com The information contained in this electronic message is private and may contain privileged, confidential or inside information. Any distribution, copying or forwarding or use of this communication by anyone other than the intended recipient(s) is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads

Are you positive MMC SPI is still optional in the current spec? Pretty much every card I've seen (current or past) has SPI capability, FYI. -marc On 21/7/03 11:58, "Peter Moreton" <EraseMEpeterspam_OUTTakeThisOuTRIL.ORG.UK> wrote: > Bob, given that the SPI interface is 'optional' in the MMC spec, I was > wondering if you have found that you have to pick your MMC device > carefully? (ie: pick one that *does* support SPI) - or are all the > manufacturers providing SPI support? > > Peter Moreton > > > > {Original Message removed}

Sandisk has a good library of how to for developers. You'll have to sign up, that's all. --Bob At 03:20 PM 7/21/2003 +0100, you wrote: {Quote hidden}>Thanks Bob, where would I find details of the MMC communications protocol? > >Thanks > >Graham > >Bob Axtell <cr_axtellspam_OUTYAHOO.COM> wrote: >I'm doing MMC presently; boards not done yet. Looks easier than the rest, >which have lots of pins and a complex interface. MMC can be R/W-accessed >with a 512-byte buffer and the SPI channel. It has 7 pins and its sister, >the SD Card (Secure Data) card has just 9 pins. We think that the SD card >can also be read with the MMC interface, but we weren't going to use it. >Molex, Amphenol, and ITT-Cannon all make MMC sockets. > >--Bob > >At 02:52 PM 7/21/2003 +0100, you wrote: > >Has any one had any success interfacing one of the large storage size > >flash cards (cf, smartmedia etc) to a PIC? We have been trying to > >interface a Compact Flash card to a prototype we are building without > >success, and are thinking of changing to a different type of media. Any > >recommendations? > > > >Thanks > > > >Graham > > > > > >--------------------------------- > >Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE > Yahoo!Messenger > > > >-- > >http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: > >[PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads > >--------------- >NOTICE > >1. This account can accept email & attachments up to 10M in size. >2. Federal Monitors: At request of client, some attachments are encrypted. >Please DO NOT delay traffic; please reply with credentials for password. >-------------- > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: >[PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads > > >--------------------------------- >Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE Yahoo!Messenger > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: >[PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads --------------- NOTICE 1. This account can accept email & attachments up to 10M in size. 2. Federal Monitors: At request of client, some attachments are encrypted. Please DO NOT delay traffic; please reply with credentials for password. -------------- -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads

We chose MMC because it only has a few pins. As an old engineer said, so many years ago, MOST of the problem is either in the cable or the connector. The fewer the pin count, the more reliable the interface. --Bob At 03:44 PM 7/21/2003 +0100, you wrote: {Quote hidden}>We've been trying that code, and read the article but still can't get it >to work :-( > >Graham > >"A.J. Tufgar" <@spam@tufgarajKILLspamMUSS.CIS.MCMASTER.CA> wrote: >Yup, we've had success with CompactFlash. You might try looking on the >internet for code, I've seen some code for CF around. Unfortunately I >don't have the URL, I remember it was actually a magazine type article >and the writer had choosen to use a PIC. > >Hope this helps, >Aaron > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: >[PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads > > >--------------------------------- >Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE Yahoo!Messenger > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: >[PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads --------------- NOTICE 1. This account can accept email & attachments up to 10M in size. 2. Federal Monitors: At request of client, some attachments are encrypted. Please DO NOT delay traffic; please reply with credentials for password. -------------- -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads

No, all MMC cards provide two different access methods, i.e. ONE using SPI, another using an FPGA and a special protocol. I see the card as a DOS FAT16 HD, so SPI is easier to work with. The SD card also uses both methods as well, but we are uncertain whether the Secure feature of the SD card can be defeated by the SOPI protocol. --Bob At 04:58 PM 7/21/2003 +0100, you wrote: >Bob, given that the SPI interface is 'optional' in the MMC spec, I was >wondering if you have found that you have to pick your MMC device >carefully? (ie: pick one that *does* support SPI) - or are all the >manufacturers providing SPI support? > >Peter Moreton > > > >{Original Message removed}

> ....but we are uncertain whether the Secure feature of the SD card can be > defeated by the SOPI protocol. Secure mode read/write have different commands, so normal read/writes aren't affected. It isn't as if the card does some fancy hashing or encryption to the data...1% of the total size of the card is set apart, and in secure writing, you write data as well as a checksum (or the like) to the card. For a secure read, the card only allows you access to the data once you provide it with whatever you stored in the secure area (checksum, etc.) Cheers, Ishaan -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads