
MultiMediaCard Flash
Preliminary MultiMediaCard Product Manual;
1998 SANDISK CORPORATION
Page 14 of 79
1.5.8.9 Erase
The smallest erasable unit in the MultiMediaCard is a sector. In order to speed up the
erase procedure, multiple sectors can be erased in the same time. The erase operation is
divided into two stages:
Tagging - Selecting the Sectors for Erasing
To facilitate selection, a first command with the starting address is followed by a second
command with the final address, and all sectors within this range will be selected for erase.
After a range is selected, an individual sector (or group) within that range can be removed
using the UNTAG command.
Erasing - Starting the Erase Process
The sectors are grouped into erase groups of 16 sectors. Tagging can address sectors or
erase groups. Either an arbitrary set of sectors within a single erase group, or an arbitrary
selection of erase groups may be erased at one time, but not both together. That is, the
unit of measure for determining an erase is either a sector or an erase group, but if a
sector, all selected sectors must lie within the same erase group. Tagging and erasing
sectors must follow a strict command sequence (refer to the MultiMediaCard standard
specification for details).
1.5.8.10 Write Protection
The MultiMediaCard erase groups are grouped into write protection groups. Commands
are provided for limiting and enabling write and erase privileges for each group
individually. The current write protect map can be read using the SEND_WRITE_PROT
command.
In addition two, permanent and temporary, card level write protection options are available.
Both can be set using the PROGRAM_CSD command (see below). The permanent write
protect bit, once set, cannot be cleared.
The One Time Programmable (OTP) characteristic of the permanent write protect bit is
implemented in the MultiMediaCard controller firmware and not with a physical OTP cell.
1.5.8.11 Copy Bit
The content of an MultiMediaCard can be marked as an original or a copy using the copy
bit in the CSD register. Once the Copy bit is set (marked as a copy) it cannot be cleared.
The Copy bit of the MultiMediaCard is programmed (during test and formatting on the
manufacturing floor) as a copy. The MultiMediaCard can be purchased with the copy bit
set (copy) or cleared, indicating the card is a master.
The One Time Programmable (OTP) characteristic of the Copy bit is implemented in the
MultiMediaCard controller firmware and not with a physical OTP cell.
1.5.8.12 The CSD Register
All the configuration information of the MultiMediaCard is stored in the CSD register. The
MSB bytes of the register contain manufacturer data and the two least significant bytes