Universal Memory Card Socket Voltage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a compatibility issue between new memory cards with various specifications and conventional standardized memory cards, leading to challenges in ensuring high reliability and ease of use in electronic systems.
Innovation Solution
A memory card with a controller capable of operating in universal flash storage (UFS) mode and additional sub-modes, along with an electronic system that includes a card socket with specific connection pins to detect and accommodate different types of memory cards, such as UFS, micro SD, and PCIe cards, by varying the voltage levels to determine the card type and supply appropriate voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a card socket is designed to accommodate only one specific type of memory card (e.g., UFS), then the connection reliability for that card type is high, but the adaptability to support multiple card types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The card socket is designed with multiple connection pins that can detect and accommodate different types of memory cards (UFS, micro SD, PCIe) through voltage detection. The socket structure itself is universal, capable of physically receiving various card types while maintaining reliable electrical connections through the detection mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the voltage parameter to identify different card types. By detecting whether the first connection pin voltage is lower or higher than a reference voltage, the system determines if a UFS card or another card type is inserted, enabling adaptive operation without compromising connection reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the card socket uses multiple connection pins to detect different card types, then the adaptability to multiple card types is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple connection pins serve multiple functions: they can detect different card types through voltage levels and also provide electrical connections for various card standards. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate detection and connection mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory card itself provides identification information through its electrical characteristics (voltage levels on specific terminals). The card socket detects these self-provided signals without requiring additional active components or complex identification mechanisms, thereby maintaining relatively simple device structure.
3Ease of operation
If voltage detection is used to identify card types, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability may deteriorate due to potential short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting the card type through voltage levels before attempting to supply power or data signals. This preliminary detection prevents mismatched voltage supply that could cause short circuits, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling automatic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage detection mechanism provides feedback about the inserted card type to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts its operation mode and voltage supply accordingly, preventing short circuits while maintaining ease of automatic operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory card includes a card substrate on which a controller and a memory device are mounted, and a card enclosure that accommodates the card substrate and exposes terminals for electrical connection to an external device. The controller is operable in a universal flash storage (UFS) mode and in a first sub-mode other than the UFS mode. The terminals that are exposed include a UFS terminal group according to a UFS standard, and a first sub-mode terminal group. The UFS terminal group includes first row terminals arranged adjacent to an insertion side edge of the memory card and second row terminals arranged apart from the insertion side edge such that the first row terminals are provided between the second row terminals and the insertion side edge. The first sub-mode terminal group is adjacent to the first row terminals.