ETC HB28B256C8H

To all our customers
Regarding the change of names mentioned in the document, such as Hitachi
Electric and Hitachi XX, to Renesas Technology Corp.
The semiconductor operations of Mitsubishi Electric and Hitachi were transferred to Renesas
Technology Corporation on April 1st 2003. These operations include microcomputer, logic, analog
and discrete devices, and memory chips other than DRAMs (flash memory, SRAMs etc.)
Accordingly, although Hitachi, Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Semiconductors, and other Hitachi brand
names are mentioned in the document, these names have in fact all been changed to Renesas
Technology Corp. Thank you for your understanding. Except for our corporate trademark, logo and
corporate statement, no changes whatsoever have been made to the contents of the document, and
these changes do not constitute any alteration to the contents of the document itself.
Renesas Technology Home Page: http://www.renesas.com
Renesas Technology Corp.
Customer Support Dept.
April 1, 2003
Cautions
Keep safety first in your circuit designs!
1. Renesas Technology Corporation puts the maximum effort into making semiconductor products better
and more reliable, but there is always the possibility that trouble may occur with them. Trouble with
semiconductors may lead to personal injury, fire or property damage.
Remember to give due consideration to safety when making your circuit designs, with appropriate
measures such as (i) placement of substitutive, auxiliary circuits, (ii) use of nonflammable material or
(iii) prevention against any malfunction or mishap.
Notes regarding these materials
1. These materials are intended as a reference to assist our customers in the selection of the Renesas
Technology Corporation product best suited to the customer's application; they do not convey any
license under any intellectual property rights, or any other rights, belonging to Renesas Technology
Corporation or a third party.
2. Renesas Technology Corporation assumes no responsibility for any damage, or infringement of any
third-party's rights, originating in the use of any product data, diagrams, charts, programs, algorithms, or
circuit application examples contained in these materials.
3. All information contained in these materials, including product data, diagrams, charts, programs and
algorithms represents information on products at the time of publication of these materials, and are
subject to change by Renesas Technology Corporation without notice due to product improvements or
other reasons. It is therefore recommended that customers contact Renesas Technology Corporation
or an authorized Renesas Technology Corporation product distributor for the latest product information
before purchasing a product listed herein.
The information described here may contain technical inaccuracies or typographical errors.
Renesas Technology Corporation assumes no responsibility for any damage, liability, or other loss
rising from these inaccuracies or errors.
Please also pay attention to information published by Renesas Technology Corporation by various
means, including the Renesas Technology Corporation Semiconductor home page
(http://www.renesas.com).
4. When using any or all of the information contained in these materials, including product data, diagrams,
charts, programs, and algorithms, please be sure to evaluate all information as a total system before
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Corporation assumes no responsibility for any damage, liability or other loss resulting from the
information contained herein.
5. Renesas Technology Corporation semiconductors are not designed or manufactured for use in a device
or system that is used under circumstances in which human life is potentially at stake. Please contact
Renesas Technology Corporation or an authorized Renesas Technology Corporation product distributor
when considering the use of a product contained herein for any specific purposes, such as apparatus or
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8. Please contact Renesas Technology Corporation for further details on these materials or the products
contained therein.
ADE-503-014
Q&A on Hitachi CF and ATA Cards
Application Note
Notice
When using this document, keep the following in mind:
1. Hitachi neither warrants nor grants licenses of any rights of Hitachi’s or any third party’s patent,
copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights for information contained in this document.
Hitachi bears no responsibility for problems that may arise with third party’s rights, including
intellectual property rights, in connection with use of the information contained in this document.
2. Products and product specifications may be subject to change without notice. Confirm that you have
received the latest product standards or specifications before final design, purchase or use.
3. Hitachi makes every attempt to ensure that its products are of high quality and reliability. However,
contact Hitachi’s sales office before using the product in an application that demands especially high
quality and reliability or where its failure or malfunction may directly threaten human life or cause
risk of bodily injury, such as aerospace, aeronautics, nuclear power, combustion control,
transportation, traffic, safety equipment or medical equipment for life support.
4. Design your application so that the product is used within the ranges guaranteed by Hitachi
particularly for maximum rating, operating supply voltage range, heat radiation characteristics,
installation conditions and other characteristics. Hitachi bears no responsibility for failure or damage
when used beyond the guaranteed ranges. Even within the guaranteed ranges, consider normally
foreseeable failure rates or failure modes in semiconductor devices and employ systemic measures
such as fail-safes, so that the equipment incorporating Hitachi product does not cause bodily injury,
fire or other consequential damage due to operation of the Hitachi product.
5. This product is not designed to be radiation resistant.
6. No one is permitted to reproduce or duplicate, in any form, the whole or part of this document without
written approval from Hitachi.
7. Contact Hitachi’s sales office for any questions regarding this document or Hitachi semiconductor
products.
i
Preface
This is a technical document in which we respond to technical inquiries received from customers who are
designing systems using Hitachi’s CompactFlash (CF) and PC/ATA (ATA) cards in a question-andanswer format.
Please read this document and the relevant datasheets thoroughly before designing a system in which
Hitachi’s CF and ATA cards are used.
This document is for system designers who are using Hitachi’s CF and ATA cards. Note that some of the
descriptions are not intended for the end users of the cards, such as those referring to the delivery
specifications.
ii
Abbreviations, terms, and format of descriptions in this document:
Items
Description
CFA
Abbreviation of CompactFlash Association.
PCMCIA
Abbreviation of Personal Computer Memory Card International Association.
CF card
Abbreviation of CompactFlash card.
ATA card
Abbreviation of PC-card/ATA.
T-IDE
Abbreviation of True IDE, which is defined by the CFA.
B
Byte.
Hexadecimal
H is added as a suffix to hexadecimal numbers, e.g., 0256FH. In memory-dump
listings, numbers without this suffix are hexadecimal.
-XX
An active-low signal.
High/low, 1/0
Voltage levels on each of the pins are described as high and low. Values in registers
and of data are described as 1 or 0 or in hexadecimal. Throughout this document, the
high level is a logical 1 and the low level is a logical 0.
Hi-Z
The high-impedance state.
Word
In this document, two bytes.
Sector
The minimum unit for access to a card. Its size is 512 bytes.
Block
The unit for erasing and writing to the flash memory. Its size is 2 kbytes. One block
consists of four sectors.
Cluster
The minimum unit for access to a card through the FAT file system. The size of a
cluster differs according to the type of card.
Pin/terminal
Both have the same meaning in this document.
Card
The CF card and ATA card are both referred to as cards in this document.
CE mark
Confirmation that a product satisfies the requirements of the EU directive.
Others
Abbreviations, terms, and descriptive formats other than those given above are based
on the datasheets or the CFA standard.
Trademarks:
CompactFlash is a trademark of SanDisk Corp.
MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the U.S. and in other countries.
Windows XP is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the U.S. and in other countries.
iii
Contents
iv
v
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA001
Category
Standard
Item
CF Card Standard
Question:
Which standard do the Hitachi’s CF cards conform to?
Answer:
Hitahi’s CF cards conform to the CF+ and CompactFlash Specification, Revision 1.4, from the CFA.
They have also passed the CFA’s compliance test*.
Note: The compliance test is defined by the CFA. Only products that have passed the compliance
test are permitted to use the CompactFlash logo.
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
√
HB28xxxxC5
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
HB28xxxxA8H
1
Series Name
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA002
Category
Standard
Item
ATA Card Standard
Question:
Which standard do Hitachi’s ATA cards conform to?
Answer:
Hitachi’s ATA cards basically conform to the Release 7 of the PCMCIA’s PC Card Standard. However,
the HB28xxxxC5/A5 and the HB28xxxxC6/A6 Series are not compliant to some of the specifications.
The following table shows the items on which the cards do not conform to the standard.
PC Card Standard Release 7
Hitachi’s ATA Cards
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Unit
tsu (RESET)
20


100


ms
ts (Hi-ZRESET)
0


100


ms
tsu (VCC)
20


100


ms
Item
Symbol
Reset setup time
Reset pulse width
-CE setup time
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
√*
HB28xxxxC5
HB28xxxxA5
√*
HB28xxxxC6
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
HB28xxxxA8H
Note: Applicable when the CF card is in a PC-card adapter.
2
Series Name
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA003
Category
Standard
Item
Qualification for the CE Mark
Question:
Are Hitachi’s CF and ATA cards qualified for the CE mark by Hitachi or by an external qualification
facility?
Answer:
TUV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH qualifies Hitachi’s CF and ATA cards for the CE mark.
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
3
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA004
Category
Specifications
Item
Limitation on the number of times rewriting is possible
Questions:
1. Is there a limit on the number of times the contents of CF and ATA cards can be rewritten?
2. If so, how many times can the contents of CF and ATA cards be rewritten?
3. What is the definition of the number of times rewriting is possible?
Answers:
1. Yes, there is a limit.
2. For the CF and ATA cards according to Hitachi’s standard specifications, rewriting up to 10,0000
times is possible. Note, however, that the actual maximum number of times varies from product to
product. Please refer to the delivery specifications and datasheets for the individual products.
 If the description in the delivery specifications differs from that in the datasheet, the delivery
specifications have the correct description.
 When there is no description in the delivery specifications but there is a description on the
datasheet, the datasheet gives the correct description.
3. Please refer to Q & A No. CA102 for the definition of the number of rewriting operations.
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
4
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA102
Category
Specifications
Item
Definition of the number of rewriting operations (C8x/A8H)
Question:
What is the definition of the number of rewriting operations for the HB28xxxxC8x and the
HB28xxxxA8H Series?
Answer:
The number of times given in the delivery specifications or the datasheet indicates the number of times
data can be written to each block is possible. In the case of these devices, “Rewriting times: 300,000 per
block” means that rewriting of each block 300,000 times is possible. For writing in sectors, please refer to
Q & A No. CA506.
Note: In CF and ATA cards, the flash memory is erased and written to in units of blocks. One
block consists of 2 kbytes or 4 sectors (one sector is 512 bytes).
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
√
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
HB28xxxxC5
HB28xxxxA5
HB28xxxxC6
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
5
HB28xxxxA8H
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA103
Category
Specifications
Item
When the number of possible rewriting operations is exceeded
Question:
What happens when the number of rewriting operations exceeds the upper limit?
Answer:
The operation of the card cannot be guaranteed; this includes blocks that were not rewritten. This
situation may also lead to the following problems:
•
•
•
•
Write errors
Read errors
Decreased data-retention time
Damage to the card and loss of data
Please take care not to exceed this upper limit.
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
6
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA104
Category
Specifications
Item
-WAIT Signal
Question:
The datasheets of the CF and ATA cards say that the -WAIT signal is always at a high level. Isn’t this a
violation of the standard?
Answer:
This is not a violation of the standard. The –WAIT signal becomes low when the data (Dout) cannot be
output from the card within 125 ns during a read operation where the cycle time is 125 ns or longer. With
Hitachi’s CF and ATA cards, the data is always output within 125 ns, so the condition where the
–WAIT signal should be at its low level never arises; therefore, the –WAIT signal is always left at its
high level.
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
7
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA105
Category
Specifications
Item
PIO Mode and DMA Mode
Question:
Do Hitachi’s CF and ATA cards support the PIO and DMA modes?
Answer:
• Mode 1 of the PIO modes is supported.
• The DMA mode is not supported.
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
8
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA201
Category
State at Shipment
Item
Format and Capacity at Shipment
Questions:
1. What is the format of Hitachi’s CF and ATA cards at shipment?
2. What is the capacity at shipment?
Answers:
1. Hitachi’s standard specification is for the CF and ATA cards at shipment to be in the MS-DOS
format.
2. The available values for capacity of the data area at shipment are listed in the table below. These
values apply to both CF and ATA cards according to Hitachi’s standard specifications.
Card Type
Capacity of Data Area (Bytes)
12 MB
16,007,168
32 MB
31,950,848
64 MB
63,934,464
128 MB
127,903,744
160 MB
160,043,008
256 MB
255,909,888
384 MB
383,991,808
512 MB
511,148,032
640 MB
639,746,048
1 GB
1,024,655,360
2 GB
2,050,129,920
Notes: 1. A given product series does not necessarily include all of the card types. Also, card types other
than those listed above may be included in some of the series.
2. The values for capacity above are for units as shipped by Hitachi. When a card is reformatted
with a formatting tool, etc., the capacity may have some value other than those listed above.
3. The values for capacity given above are not guaranteed values and may be subject to change
without notice.
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
9
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA202
Category
State at Shipment
Item
Length of the FAT and Size of Clusters at Shipment
Questions:
What are the length of the FAT and the size of the clusters in an as-shipped CF or ATA card from
Hitachi?
Answers:
The length of the FAT and size of the clusters in an as-shipped card vary with the type of card. The values
given below are common to both CF and ATA cards.
Card Type
Length of FAT
Size of Cluster
12 MB
12 bits
4 kB
32 MB
16 bits
2 kB
64 MB
16 bits
2 kB
128 MB
16 bits
2 kB
160 MB
16 bits
4 kB
256 MB
16 bits
4 kB
384 MB
16 bits
8 kB
512 MB
16 bits
8 kB
640 MB
16 bits
16 kB
1 GB
16 bits
16 kB
2 GB
16 bits
32 kB
Notes: 1. A given product series does not necessarily include all of the card types. Also, card types other
than those listed above may be included in some of the series.
2. The lengths of the FAT and sizes of clusters given above are the values at shipment from
Hitachi. After a card has been reformatted with a formatting tool, etc., the values may differ
from those given above.
3. The values above are not guaranteed and may be subject to change without notice.
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
10
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA301
Category
Power Supply
Item
Applying Voltage to the Pins before Supplying Power
Question:
Will a problem arise if a voltage is applied to a pin other than the power-supply pin when power is not
being supplied to the card?
Answer:
Yes. Applying a voltage to any pins other than the –CD1, or –CD2 pins before power is supplied to the
card may lead to latch-up, and thus to a failure of card functions. A system must be designed so that
voltage is not applied to pins other than the power-supply pin, -CD1, and –CD2 pins before power is
supplied.
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
11
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA302
Category
Power Supply
Item
Timing of Power-On
Question:
Does power have to be supplied to the card when both the –CD1 and –CD2 pins are at the low level?
Answer:
Yes. Power must only be supplied to the card after both the –CD1 and –CD2 pins are at the low level.
Normally, the –CD1 and –CD2 pins of the connector on the card-slot side are shorter than the other pins,
and are used to detect insertion of the card. That is, when the card is inserted such that the other pins are
in contact with the connector on the card-slot side, the –CD1 and –CD2 pins are driven low to indicate
that the card has been inserted. After that, power is supplied to the card.
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
12
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA303
Category
Power Supply
Item
Power-Supply Sequence
Question:
What is the procedure for supplying power, reading, and writing?
Answer:
The following flowchart is the general procedure for using Hitachi’s CF and ATA cards in in contiguous
mode as I/O cards with Vcc of 3.3 V. The error handling when conditions in the table have not been
satisfied has been omitted.
Flowchart:
Start
–CD1 = -CD2 = low?
Is operation at Vcc = 3.3 V possible?
Supply Vcc = 3.3 V
Wait for the period tsu (VCC) *1
BSY = 1?
Read CIS
Is entry to the I/O card mode possible?
INDEX bits 5 to 0*2 are 000001
Error processing
Enter the required commands
Descriptions:
Detect insertion of the card
Use the voltages on the –VS1 and –VS2 pins to determine this (this procedure is omitted with Hitachi’s
cards).
When the BSY bit of the status register is 0, the reset is completed
(this procedure is omitted with Hitachi’s cards).
Select I/O card contiguous mode.
Notes: 1. 100 ms for HB28xxxxC5/A5 and HB28xxxxC6/A6
20 ms for HB28xxxxC8x/A8H
2. Bits 5 to 0 of the configuration options register
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
13
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA304
Category
Power Supply
Item
Switching between 3.3 V and 5 V
Question:
Is it possible to switch the power-supply voltage for the card from 5 V to 3.3 V or from 3.3 V to 5 V
without turning off the power?
Answer:
The power must always be turned off before the power-supply voltage is switched. After the voltage has
been switched off, turn on the power supply at the new level. Switching the voltage while power is being
supplied may damage the card by inducing latch-up.
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
14
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA305
Category
Power Supply
Item
Resuming Operation from System Suspension
Question:
I am designing a host system in which the supply of power to the card will be turned off in a suspended
mode. What is the procedure for accessing the card after resuming normal operation?
Answer:
The procedure is the same as that when power is initially supplied to the card. Please refer to Q & A No.
CA303.
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
15
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA306
Category
Power Supply
Item
Power Shutdowns during Card Access
Question:
Does a problem arise if the card is removed from the slot or the supply of power to the card is cut off
during access (read or write) to the card?
Answer:
Yes, problems do arise. A card may be damaged if it is removed from the slot or the power is turned off
while the card is in the busy state. Ensure that the status register of the card holds 50H*1 before removing
the card from the slot or turning off the power.
Depending on the degree of the damage, a card that has been damaged by a power-supply shutdown*2
may be recovered by formatting or writing to the sector which is in the read-error state. However, the data
in the sector (block) which was written to and the nearby sectors (blocks) when power-supply shutdown
occurred may be lost.
Notes: 1. Indicates the state where the card has no errors and is in the idle state waiting for a
command.
2. Indicates a state where the power supply is turned off while the card is in the busy state,
lowering the power-supply voltage below the operating range, or the card is removed
from the slot or withdrawn from the connector.
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
16
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA307
Category
Power Supply
Item
Precautions with Regard to Turning Off the Power Supply
Question:
Are there any precautions with regard to turning off the power supply? Should the hardware be reset
before the power supply is turned off?
Answer:
1. Please refer to Q & A No. CA306.
2. A hardware reset before turning off the power is not essential
In a hardware reset, the reset operation starts on the rising edge of the RESET signal and makes the card
enter the busy state. The power supply must not be turned off while the card is in the busy state, so you
must wait until the reset operation has been completed. The card need not be reset in any way before the
power is turned off.
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
17
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA401
Category
Reset
Item
Differences between the Various Types of Reset
Question:
What are the differences between the power-on, hardware, software, and ATA software resets?
Answer:
The following is a list of the differences between the various types of reset.
Reset Types
Method of Reset
Cancelling the Reset
Range of Reset
Power-on reset
Turning on the power
supply
Automatically cancelled
on completion of the reset
(specific cancellation not
required)
•
Card operation
•
All registers
In memory mode and
I/O mode:
1
RESET pin* = high
In memory mode and I/O
mode:
automatically cancelled on
completion of reset
(specific cancellation not
required)
•
Card operation
•
All registers
Hardware reset
In T-IDE mode’
2
–RESET pin* = low
In T-IDE mode:
2
–RESET pin* = high
Software reset
ATA software
reset
SRSET bit of the
configuration option
register = 1
SRSET bit of the
configuration option
4
register = 0*
•
Card operation
•
All registers
SRST bit of the device
control register = 1
SRST bit of the device
4
control register = 0*
•
Card operation
•
All registers except the
3
configuration registers*
Notes: 1. Asserted on the rising edge of the RESET signal in memory mode and in I/O mode.
2. Asserted when the –RESET signal is low in the T-IDE mode. In the T-IDE mode, the reset state
continues as long as the –RESET signal stays low.
3. Indicates the task-file register.
4. These bits must be cleared to 0 during the reset.
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√
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18
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA402
Category
Reset
Item
Description of the Types of Reset
Question:
You mentioned four types of reset in Q & A No. CA401. Could you describe them for me?
Answer:
• Power-on reset: The card incorporates a power-supply-voltage detection IC. This IC resets the whole
card when it detects the supply of power to the card. Processing of this reset differs from that of the
other types in that the controller is reset by hardware. If the card’s operation becomes abnormal,
applying a power-on reset by turning the power off and then on often recovers normal operation for
the card.
• Hardware reset: When assertion of the RESET or –RESET signal is detected, various operations and
registers are reset by the controller. Since the configuration register is also reset, the same processing
as for a power-on reset is required after the reset state has been cancelled. Use the hardware reset
when the whole system requires a reset.
• Software reset: This is basically the same as the hardware reset, except for the differences in the way
the reset is applied and cancelled. This reset is useful when you want to reset the system’s software.
The software reset is not available in the T-IDE mode.
• ATA software reset: The configuration register is not reset. This is useful for warm starts of the
system.
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19
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA403
Category
Reset
Item
Checking the Completion of Reset
Question:
How do I check that the resets listed in Q & A No. CA401 are completed?
Answer:
The method differs with the card’s mode of operation. Check the level of the RDY/-BSY signal, or the
BSY bit of the status register or alternate status register, as indicated in the following table.
Reset Types
Memory Mode
All Modes
Power-on reset
RDY/-BSY changes from high to
low
The BSY bit* changes from 1 to 0.
Hardware reset
As above
As above
Software reset
As above
As above
ATA software reset
As above
As above
Note: The BSY bit of the status register.
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20
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA404
Category
Reset
Item
Reset during Command Execution
Question:
What happens when a reset is applied while a command is being executed?
Answer:
• Execution of the command is terminated, and reset processing commences (an error flag is not set.)
 During the reading of multiple sectors: Enters the busy state on application of the reset, stops
reading data, and starts the reset operation.
 During the writing of data: Transfer of the write data is terminated, and the reset operation starts.
Writing to a block to which data was being written on entry to the reset state might not be
possible.
• When a HB28xxxxC5/A5 Series device is in use, and a reset is applied during a write operation, the
subsequent busy state may continue until the power is turned off.
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21
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA405
Category
Reset
Item
Hardware Reset after Power-On Reset
Question:
Hitachi’s datasheet seems to indicate that a hardware reset is required after each power-on reset. Is this
so?
Answer:
No, a power-on reset does not have to be followed by a hardware reset. Item 4 in the timing chart below
indicates the width of the reset pulse when the host applies a hardware reset to the card for some reason.
(1) The host places the RESET line in the Hi-Z state. Since the RESET pin is being pulled up to the Vcc
level inside the card, the level of the RESET signal rises with the voltage, and the power-on reset
starts.
(2) A power-on reset of the system is in progress. The RESET signal must be driven low.
(3) Access to the status register is enabled. During the reset, the BSY bit of the status register is 1. When
the status register holds 50H, the reset has been completed. Operation of the card can commence.
(4) Input a hardware reset as required by the host side.
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22
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA406
Category
Reset
Item
Timeout of Reset
Question:
I would like to design a system where the BSY bit of the status register is checked polled to detect the
completion of a reset. Are there any specifications for timeout? If not, do you have any
recommendations?
Answer:
There is no specification for timeout. In using Hitachi’s CF and ATA cards in the PC card mode, we
recommend that the timeout be no less than 100 ms, regardless of the type of reset.
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23
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA501
Category
Card Operation (Common)
Item
Management of Sectors and Files
Question:
The data is written directly from the application software to the sectors of the card.
1. Is the data on this card readable by an MS-DOS system?
2. Are the FAT and directories of the card updated automatically?
Answer:
1. Data on the card is not readable as an MS-DOS file unless file management information has also
been written to the card, even if the data for the file are directly written to sectors.
2. The card simply provides storage for data. The FAT and directory entries are not updated
automatically. For data to be read as an MS-DOS file, the application software must handle the
writing of file-management information, i.e., the FAT and directory entries, to the card.
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24
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA502
Category
Card Operation (Common)
Item
Accessing the Data Registers in the Memory-Card Mode
Question:
How do I use the data register in the memory-card mode?
Answer:
In the memory-card mode, the data registers are assigned to the addresses from 400H to 7FFH in the way
shown below.
-REG
A10
A9 to A4
A3
A2
A1
A0
-OE = low
-WE = low
1
0
*
0
0
0
0
Data register
Data register
1
1
*
*
*
*
0
Even data register
Even data register
1
1
*
*
*
*
1
Odd data register
Odd data register
*: Don’t care.
In reading from the data register, its address (000H) must be accessed once for every byte of data; for
example, in reading two sectors at once, this address must be accessed 1024 times.
There is only one even data register and one odd data register, but since bits A1 to A9 are ignored, these
registers are shadowed at alternate locations in the address range from 400H to 7FFH (i.e., over a 1-kbyte
range). By using this function, for example in the reading of two sectors, the host can read 1-kbyte of data
continuously from the addresses 400H to 7FFH (each address must only be read from once). After the
first sector has been read, the status register indicates the BSY state (D0H*1); wait until the value in the
status register becomes 58H*2 before reading the next sector.
Notes: *1.The busy state without an error.
*2.The ready for data-transfer state.
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25
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA503
Category
Card Operation (Common)
Item
Identifying Cards
Question:
How do I identify individual cards when more than one card is used in a system?
Answer:
The serial number of a CF or ATA card from Hitachi is included in the ID (Identify Drive) field; this is
useful since it makes individual cards identifiable. The serial number is recorded in ASCII code from
word 10 to word 19 of ID.
You can check whether or not a CF and ATA card is from Hitachi by referring to the CIS (Card
Information Structure), where the following hexadecimal data is entered in the Manufacturer Name String
of the Version/Product Info Tuple:
48 49 54 41 43 48 49 (“HITACHI” in ASCII code)
In CF and ATA cards from Hitachi, this data is placed in the range between offsets of 034H and 040H
from the top of the CIS.
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26
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA504
Category
Card Operation (Common)
Item
Formatting under Windows XP
Question:
When I format a CF or ATA card under Windows XP, the card becomes unrecognizable by systems
other than PCs. Why is that?
Answer:
When a card is formatted under Windows XP, the FAT32 file system is applied. The FAT12 or FAT16
file system is used in many systems that handle CF and ATA cards; the card is not recognized by such
systems.
When a card is for use in a system other than a PC, do not format the card under Windows XP. If you
have done this, reformat the card on the primary system, such as a digital still camera, where the card is to
be used.
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HB28xxxxA8H
27
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA505
Category
Card Operation (Common)
Item
Speed in Erasing and Writing and Number of Sectors
Question:
1. Is there any relationship between the speed of erasing and writing and the number of sectors?
2. How can I set the number of sectors to 256?
Answer:
1. Yes. There is a relationship between speed in erasing and writing and the number of sectors, which is
shown in the figure below. Set a large number for fast writing.
2. To select any sector number from 1 to 255, specify values from 01H to FFH. To set 256, specify 00H.
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28
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA506
Category
Card Operation (Common)
Item
Writing in Sector Units
Question:
What precautions should I take when writing in sector units?
Answer:
1. The number of sectors should be a multiple of four. Four sectors make up one block, which is the unit
for erasing and writing of the flash memory in Hitachi’s CF and ATA cards. Accordingly, in writing
to four sectors in one-sector units, the whole block may be erased and written to as many as four
times. On the other hand, when writing is in four-sector units, and starts from the top sector of the
block, the block is only erased and written to once. If four sectors to be rewritten start from the middle
of a block, writing will run across two blocks, but each block will only have to be erased and written
to once. The blocks are thus erased and written to fewer times than when writing is in one-sector
units.
2. When using the HB28xxxxC5/A5 or HB28xxxxC6/A6, take care to ensure that erasing and writing
are not concentrated on specific blocks. Erasing and rewriting should be spread evenly over the blocks
of the card.
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29
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA507
Category
Card Operation (Common)
Item
Assertion of the –IREQ Signal
Question:
1. Is the –IREQ signal asserted once each time a command is issued?
2. Is the –IREQ signal asserted in response to every command?
Answer:
1. For commands that do not involve the transfer of sectors, the –IREQ signal is asserted once on
completion of the command. In reading by sectors, the –IREQ signal is asserted once before the start
of each sector transfer. In writing to sectors, the –IREQ signal is asserted once after the completion of
each sector transfer.
2. Yes. The –IREQ signal is asserted at least once per command.
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30
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA508
Category
Card Operation (Common)
Item
Writing from the Middle of a Sector
Question:
Is it possible to write data from the middle of a sector (512-byte unit)?
Answer:
No, it is not possible. Writing must be in sector units.
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31
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA509
Category
Card Operation (Common)
Item
Erasing before Writing
Question:
Is it necessary to erase a sector before writing data to it?
Answer:
No. In Hitachi’s CF and ATA cards, a sector is automatically erased before data is written to it. Use of the
Erase Sector command is not required.
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32
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA510
Category
Card Operation (Common)
Item
Differences in Access by the CHS and LBA
Question:
Are there any differences in access according to whether the CHS or LBA is used?
Answer:
1. The two forms of access are equivalent on Hitachi’s CF and ATA cards.
2. This equation converts a CHS into an LBA:
LBA = (C x (number of heads per cylinder) + H) x (number of sectors per track) + S – 1
The numbers of heads per cylinder and of sectors per track vary with the card’s types and series.
Please refer to the datasheet for the card you are using.
3. This equation converts an LBA into a CHS:
C = Quotient of (LBA)/((number of heads per cylinder) x (number of sectors per track))
H = Modulo of ((LBA)/(number of sectors per track)) / (number of heads per cylinder)
S = Modulo of (LBA)/(number of sectors per track) + 1
4. No sectors of Hitachi’s CF and ATA cards are addressable by the LBA but not by the CHS (i.e., there
are no orphan sectors).
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33
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA601
Category
Card Operation (T-IDE)
Item
Precautions to be Taken when Operating in the T-IDE Mode
Question:
What precautions should I take when operating a card in the T-IDE mode?
Answer:
1. Please refer to Q & A Nos. CA603 and CA605.
2. A reset takes longer (400 to 450 ms) in the T-IDE mode than in other modes (100 ms or shorter). The
hardware and software on the host side must be designed to allow sufficient time until the first access
after a reset.
3. When the card is used as a stand-alone master, the –DASP and –PDIAG pins must be pulled up to
Vcc.
4. The output on the card side is at CMOS levels. When a high level is output and there is no load, the
voltage is close to Vcc (5 V). Select an ATA interface IC on the host side that has an input
withstanding voltage of at least 5 V.
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HB28xxxxA8H
34
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA602
Category
Card Operation (T-IDE)
Item
Master and Slave Operation
Question:
Is it possible to connect Hitachi’s CF and ATA cards to the ATA interface as either master or slave
devices?
Answer:
Yes. Hitachi’s CF and ATA cards can be used as either master or slave devices. When the –CSEL signal
is at the GND level, the card acts as a master, and when the –CSEL pin is open-circuit, the card acts as a
slave. For details on the settings, refer to the datasheet.
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35
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA603
Category
Card Operation (T-IDE)
Item
Fixing the –OE Pin
Question:
In the T-IDE mode, when and for how long must the value on the –OE pin be fixed?
Answer:
In the T-IDE mode, the –OE pin must be fixed to GND throughout the card’s period of operation, i.e.,
from the time power is first supplied until the time it is turned off.
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36
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA604
Category
Card Operation (T-IDE)
Item
Operation and Handling of the –IOIS16 Pin
Question:
What does the –IOIS16 pin do and how should it be handled?
Answer:
The –IOIS16 signal goes low in word mode.
1. Currently, switching between the byte and word modes is handled by the host, so the signal is
essentially unnecessary.
2. Since the signal is on an open-drain terminal, the –IOIS16 pin’s output may be unstable. We
recommend that you do not use this pin, since the signal was defined in old standards and has been
omitted from standards subsequent to ATA-3.
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37
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA605
Category
Card Operation (T-IDE)
Item
Inserting and Removing Live Lines
Question:
Is it possible to insert or remove a live line in the T-IDE mode?
Answer:
No. The card may be damaged if a live line is inserted or removed in the T-IDE mode.
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38
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA606
Category
Card Operation (T-IDE)
Item
Difference between the IDE and the T-IDE
Question:
What is the difference between the IDE (ATA) and T-IDE interfaces?
Answer:
The T-IDE mode of operation was defined by the CFA. The signals specified for the T-IDE mode are
equivalent to those for the IDE interface. Accordingly, fixing the –OE signal to the low level and turning
on the power supply puts the device in an operating mode similar to the IDE. Note however, that in
connection to an IDE interface, a conversion adapter is required to make the connection between the ATA
card (68 pins) and the ATA interface (40 pins).
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39
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA607
Category
Card Operation (T-IDE)
Item
8-Bit Access
Question:
How do I select the 8-bit-access mode and what is the order of data-readout in this mode?
Answer:
1. The cards enter the 8-bit access mode when the Set Feature command (EFH) is used to set the feature
register to 01H.
2. Input and output is on pins D0 to D7; data from even and then odd addresses is placed on these pins.
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40
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA608
Category
Card Operation (T-IDE)
Item
Countermeasures against Noise
Question:
What countermeasures against malfunctions due to noise should I apply to the ATA interface cable?
Answer:
1. Take the impedance of the cable into consideration, and insert damping resistors on the host and card
sides of the cable. Ensure that the values of these resistors are within a range such that the signals are
not degraded. The following table is a list of signal lines where such damping resistors should be
inserted and reference values for the damping resistor to be attached where the line is terminated on
the card side. Do not insert damping resistors for the other signals. Adjust the resistance values to suit
the driving ability of the driver and the impedance of the board’s wiring.
2. Using an 80-core or flat cable instead of a 40-core cable is a further effective measure.
Signal Name
End of the Card Side
-IORD
82 Ω
-IOWR
82 Ω
-CE1, -CE2
82 Ω
A0 to A2
82 Ω
-REG
82 Ω
D0 to D15
33 Ω
-INPACK
22 Ω
INTRQ
22 Ω
IORDY
22 Ω
-RESET
82 Ω
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41
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA609
Category
Card Operation (T-IDE)
Item
Example of Connection with the ATA Interface
Question:
Can you give me an example of the connection of a Hitachi CF or ATA card in the T-IDE mode to
replace a 3.5-inch HDD?
Answer:
The connections between the ATA card in the T-IDE mode and the host side are listed in the following
table. The signal names of a CF card are the same as those of an ATA card but the pin numbers are
different. Please refer to the circuit diagram if you intend to connect a CF card in this way.
ATA-Card Side
Host Side
Pin
Signal
Pin
Signal
ATA-Card Side
Host Side
Pin
Signal
Pin
Signal
1
GND


18
NC


2
D3
11
DD3
19
NC


3
D4
9
DD4
20
NC


4
D5
7
DD5
21
NC


5
D6
5
DD6
22
A7


6
D7
3
DD7
23
A6


*1
7
-CE1
37
-CS0
24
A5


*1
8
A10


*1
25
A4


*1
9
-ATASEL


*1
26
A3


*1
10
NC


27
A2
26
DA2
*1
11
A9


*1
28
A1
22
DA1
12
A8


*1
29
A0
25
DA0
13
NC


30
D0
17
DD0
14
NC


31
D1
15
DD1
15
-WE


32
D2
13
DD2
16
INTRQ
31
INTRQ
33
-IOIS16
32
-IOIS16
17
Vcc


34
GND


Note
*2
Notes: 1. Fixed to a low level on the card side.
2. Pull the signal up to Vcc on the card side.
42
Note
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
ATA-Card Side
Host Side
Pin
Signal
Pin
Signal
ATA-Card Side
Host Side
Pin
Signal
Pin
Signal
35
GND


52



36
-CD1


53



37
D11
10
DD11
54



38
D12
12
DD12
55



39
D13
14
DD13
56
-CSEL
28
CSEL
40
D14
16
DD14
57
-VS2

41
D15
18
DD15
58
-RESET
RESET
42
-CE2
38
-CS1
59
IORDY
IORDY
43
-VS1


60
-INPACK
DMARQ
44
-IORD
25
-DIOR
61
-REG
-DMACK
45
-IOWR
23
-DIOW
62
-DASP
46



63
47



48


49

50

51
Vcc
Note

Note
*1, *2

*2
-PDIAG
-PDIAG
*2
64
D8
DD8

65
D9
DD9


66
D10


67
-CD2




68
GND


DD10
Notes: 1. We recommend that a jumper which allows selection from among Vcc, GND, and CABLE be
included.
2. Use a 10-kΩ resistor to pull this signal up to Vcc.
An example of the circuit for a conversion adapter that connects an ATA cable with the card is given on
the next page. The jumpers in the diagram (terminals A to D of the ATA cable connector) allow the
selection of master-slave operation for the CF or ATA cards.
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
43
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Notes: 1. For the damping resistors of this circuit, refer to Q & A No. CA608.
2. This circuit diagram is a typical example of the connection of CF and ATA cards with the
ATA interface, but the circuit’s operation is not guaranteed. If the circuit is applied, its
operation with the actual system must be confirmed.
3. This circuit diagram does not guarantee or give the right to implement patent or any other
rights, such as intellectual property rights, held by Hitachi or any third party.
44
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA610
Category
Card Operation (T-IDE)
Item
INTRQ Operation
Question:
When the card is read multiple times, the INTRQ signal becomes active (high) for 0.8-µs periods. What is
this interrupt signal used for?
Answer:
The number of sectors which is set in the sector-count register can be read with a single read command.
For example, when the sector-count register is set to 3 and the read command is set in the command
register, the host must carry out three one-sector-unit (256-word) read operations.
When the data is ready in the card, 58H is set in the status register, and an interrupt is output to indicate
this to the host. On receiving this interrupt, the host checks the status register, finds the value 58H, and
starts to read the data register. While the data register is being read (256 words), the value in the status
register remains at 58H. When the reading of one sector of data is complete, the value in the status
register changes to D0H until the next data is ready. Therefore, the value in the status register changes in
the following way, and the interrupt is generated at the three points where the value changes from D0 to
58H.
50H → D0H → 58H → D0 → 58 → D0H → 58H → 50H
When the write command is used, the same interrupt signal is generated after data or a command has been
transmitted and processed, indicating that the card is ready to accept the next command or data. When the
number of sectors is 3, the value in the status register changes in the following way, and the interrupt is
generated at the three points where D0H changes to 58H or 50H.
50H → 58H → D0H → 58H → D0H → 58H → D0H → 50H
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
45
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA701
Category
Command
Item
Procedure for Setting the Registers when a Command Is Issued
Question:
When issuing a command, in what order should I set the related registers?
Answer:
Start by setting, in any order, the registers other than the command register which are necessary for
execution of the command. Set the command register last.
After the command register has been set, the card starts to execute the command. The set of registers for
which settings are required varies with the command. Please refer to the datasheet.
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
46
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA702
Category
Command
Item
Operation of the Format Track and Wear Level Commands
Question:
Is it possible to use the Format Track command or the Wear Level command with Hitachi’s CF and ATA
cards? What are the card’s operations in response to these commands?
Answer:
While Hitachi’s CF and ATA cards accept the Format Track command and the sector data, the cards
don’t actually do anything in response. Data is not written over the existing sectors. The cards also do
nothing in response to the Wear Level command. The value 00H is returned in the sector-count register .
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
47
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA703
Category
Command
Item
When a Write Command Is Issued During Write Operation
Question:
What is the card’s operation when a further write command is issued (ignoring the busy state) while the
card is executing a write command?
Answer:
The write command which is in progress is terminated. The data in the sectors (blocks) that were being
written to are not guaranteed. The new write command is valid.
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
48
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA704
Category
Command
Item
Read Long Sector and Write Long Sector
Question:
1. What is the difference between the Read Long Sector and Read Sector commands?
2. What is the difference between the Write Long Sector and Write Sector commands?
Answer:
1. In response to a Read Sector command, 512 bytes of data are transferred; with a Read Long Sector
command, 4 bytes of ECC data are added to the 512 bytes of data, and 516 bytes are transferred to the
host. However, the 4 bytes of ECC data from our cards are not a valid ECC. So, ignore these 4 bytes
on the host side. An ECC check is carried out inside the cards, so you don’t need to use the Read Long
Sector command.
2. In response to a Write Sector command, 512 bytes of data are transferred; with a Write Long Sector
command, 4 bytes of ECC data are added to the 512 bytes of data, and 516 bytes are transferred to the
host. However, the 4 bytes of ECC data are ignored and not recorded by Hitachi’s CF and ATA cards.
An ECC check is carried out inside the cards, so you don’t need to use the Write Long Sector
command.
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
49
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA801
Category
Others
Item
Using an OS other than MS-DOS
Question:
Is it possible to use Hitachi’s CF and ATA cards with an operating system other than MS-DOS?
Answer:
Yes. The combinations of model and compatible OS are given at the following URL on Hitachi’s website:
http://www.hitachisemiconductor.com/sic/jsp/japan/jpn/PRODUCTS/FLASHCARD/index.html
If you do not find the information at the above URL, search from Hitachi’s homepage at the URL given
below.
http://www.hitachi.co.jp
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
50
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA802
Category
Others
Item
Restrictions on Using the Card in the T-IDE Mode in a Linux System
Question:
What are the restrictions on using the Hitachi’s CF and ATA cards in T-IDE mode in place of a HDD
(connected via an ATA interface) on a Linux system?
Answer:
1. A CF or ATA card from Hitachi can be connected as the primary or secondary master device when no
other device is present. However, if a CF card, ATA card, or any other drive is connected on the slave
side, the system may not boot-up normally. This is because the Linux kernel does not permit masterslave operation where the combination includes removable media.
2. The parameters for the kernel can be changed to allow the use of Hitachi’s CF and ATA as master or
slave devices. For details on this, contact your nearest Hitachi sales office.
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
51
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA803
Category
Others
Item
PCs and Other Systems for which Operation has been Confirmed
Question:
With which systems has correct operation of Hitachi’s CF and ATA cards been confirmed?
Answer:
Yes. The combinations of model and compatible OS are given at the following URL on Hitachi’s website:
http://www.hitachisemiconductor.com/sic/jsp/japan/jpn/PRODUCTS/FLASHCARD/index.html
If you do not find the information at the above URL, search from Hitachi’s homepage at the URL given
below.
http://www.hitachi.co.jp
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
52
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA804
Category
Others
Item
Applying FDISK to the Card when Inserted in a PC-Card Slot
Question:
Is it possible to apply FDISK to a card which is inserted in a PC card slot?
Answer:
It depends on the PC. Please contact the PC manufacturer.
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
53
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q & A No.
CA805
Category
Others
Item
Processing for Pins that are Not Used
Question:
How should I treat pins that are not used?
Answer:
Take the following steps with pins that are not used.
1. Leave pins that are pulled up to Vcc or connected to GND inside the card unconnected.
These pins are pulled up inside the card: -CE1, -CE2, -OE/-ATASEL, -WE, -IORD, -IOWR, -REG,
RESET/-RESET, -CSEL, BVD1/-STSCHG/-PDIAG, and BVD2/-SPKR/-DASP.
These pins are connected to GND inside the card: -VS1, -CD1, and –CD2.
2. Connect the address pins to GND.
3. Pull down the data pins.
4. Leave the –VS2 pin unconnected or connect it to GND.
5. Handle the other pins as follows.
(a) Fix the levels on input-only pins and I/O pins by pulling them up (active-low pins) or down
(active-high pins).
(b) Leave the output-only pins unconnected.
Applicability:
Applica
ble?
Series Name
Applica
ble?
Series Name
√
HB28xxxxC5
√
HB28xxxxA5
√
HB28xxxxC6
√
HB28xxxxA6
√
HB28xxxxC8x
√
HB28xxxxA8H
54
Hitachi CF and ATA Cards Q&A
Q8A on Hitachi CF and ATA Card Application Note
Publication Date: 1st Edition, December 2002
Published by:
Business Operation Division
Semiconductor & Integrated Circuits
Hitachi, Ltd.
Edited by:
Technical Documentation Group
Hitachi Kodaira Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
Copyright  Hitachi, Ltd., 2002. All rights reserved. Printed in Japan.
55