Express format of micro SD cards enables speed up to 985MB/s

The SD Association has announced the micro-sd express standard. The format uses single-channel PCI-e 3.1 and nvme v1.3 to enable higher throughputs, up to 985MB/s.

Microsd express is part of the new SD 7.1 specification and will be available in categories such as micro-sdhc express, micro-sdxc express and micro-sduc express. According to the SD Association, the cards are designed to meet the increasing demand for high-speed memory, such as in slow-motion, 8k video, 360-degree recording, gaming and automotive applications. The announcement follows last year when the SD Association announced the Express variant for SD cards.

The cards are backward compatible and can piggyback on the further development of pci-e and nvme. For example, the SD Association points out that PCI Sig has already introduced the fourth generation of the PCI-e standard, from 2GB/s single channel, and that the fifth generation is coming this year, with throughput speeds of up to 4GB/s.

In addition, the new standard ensures lower latency and lower consumption. As an example, the association gives a comparison with respect to an sd uhs-I card, where the sd express card transfers the same amount of data considerably faster and therefore enters standby mode earlier.