SanDisk CompactFlash Extreme III - Manual (Page 9)

SanDisk CompactFlash Card OEM Product Manual Introduction
1.5 PCMCIA Standard
SanDisk CompactFlash Memory cards are fully electrically compatible with the PCMCIA
specifications listed below:
• PCMCIA PC Card Standard, 7.0, February 1999
• PCMCIA PC Card ATA Specification, 7.0, February 1999
These specifications may be obtained from:
PCMCIA
2635 N. First Street, Suite 209
San Jose, CA 95131
USA
Phone: 408-433-2273
Fax: 408-433-9558
1.6 Related Documentation
ATA operation is governed by the ATA-4 specification published by ANSI. For more
information, refer to the American National Standard X3.221: AT Attachment for Interface for
Disk Drives document.
Documentation can be ordered from IHS by calling 1-800-854-7179 or accessing their Web
site: http://global.ihs.com.
1.7 Functional Description
CompactFlash Memory cards contain a high level, intelligent subsystem as shown in the block
diagram, Figure 1-1. This intelligent (microprocessor) subsystem provides many capabilities
not found in other types of memory cards. These capabilities include the following:
• Standard ATA register and command set (same as found on most magnetic disk drives).
• Host independence from details of erasing and programming flash memory.
• Sophisticated system for managing defects (analogous to systems found in magnetic disk
drives).
• Sophisticated system for error recovery including a powerful error correction code (ECC).
• Power management for low power operation.
• Implementation of dynamic and static wear-leveling to extend card’s life.
© 2007 SanDisk Corporation 1-3 Rev. 12.0, 02/07