SD Card Duplicator UPDATE:

The Drive Manager software which powers this SD Card Duplicator now offers the ability to write CID values to the SD cards. The CID (Card Identification) of a Secure Digital (SD) card is a unique identifier embedded within the card’s read-only memory by the manufacturer. It serves as a distinct serial number for the card and typically consists of specific information such as the card’s manufacturing date, manufacturer ID, and other proprietary data.

The CID number is accessed through a hardware chip and vendor command on a compatible host system, such as an SD card reader or a specialized device like the SD160PC SD Card Duplicator mentioned here. This unique identifier can be valuable for various purposes, including device authentication, data encryption, and tracking of individual SD cards within a system.

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Continued…

You’ve heard the quote “the devil is in the details” and when it comes to duplication of data to SD cards, nothing can be more true. Today we talk about an SD Card Duplicator which provides the ability to data stream unique content to each card.

Typically a user would duplicate the same content to SD cards because they intend to make many copies of the same content. However, my companies who use SD media (or microSD media) want to not only copy the same content to each card, but also copy unique data to each card.

Let us dig a little deeper with an example:

It is very common for companies who generate map data also want to protect their mapping information. Maps are expensive to make and often times hold proprietary information that company wants to protect. So when it comes time to use an SD Card Duplicator to make hundreds or thousands of copies, it is required to have a protection scheme included with the duplication solution.

A common method to provide protection on SD card media is using the CID number of the card. The CID number is a value which is put into “read only memory” of an SD card and that CID number is unique to each card and follows the card around. It is not possible to copy or duplicate the CID number… it is a value which is designed to only be read. In addition to the unique number, there takes specific vendor commands to read the CID number from the card itself.

With an SD Card Duplicator from Nexcopy it is possible read the CID number because Nexcopy uses the special vendor commands to read the CID value.

So this is what a mapping company can do with a SD Card Duplicator:

• Encrypt the mapping data
• Include a text file with the decryption code for the maps
• Include the CID number of the physical card in the text file mentioned above
• Since CID numbers are unique to each card, write the unique key code text file to each card

With the SD Card Duplicator the user can export the CID numbers in bulk during the duplication process. When the CID numbers are exported in bulk, the company can write a script to generate key code text files which can only be decrypted by the card which holds the correct CID value.

The final step of the SD Card Duplicator would be writing the encrypted map data to all the SD cards (or microSD cards) and make a second duplication pass to perform the unique data stream of the encrypted file which holds the CID number and key code to each individual card.

There is certainly some custom scrips or batch files which the end-user would need to write, but the bulk of the duplicator process would be done by the Nexcopy SD Card Duplicator.

Secure Digital (SD) is a proprietary non-volatile memory card format created by the SD Association (SDA) for use in portable devices.

The standard was introduced in August 1999 as an improvement over MultiMediaCards (MMCs) by a collaboration of SanDisk, Panasonic (Matsushita), and Toshiba, and has since become the industry standard.

In January 2000, the companies also established the SD Association (SDA), a non-profit organization, to promote and develop SD Card standards.

UPDATE (Feb 16, 2023):

We learned the company which manufactures this product now offers the ability to write the CID value as well as write protect the Secure Digital media.

GetUSB.info just posted a nice article on how to read the CID (or PSN) from an SD card, or product serial number.  Some also call this reading the CID number from an SD card.  The CID number is a unique identifier number or serial number created on the SD or microSD media at the time of manufacturing.  This is a number which cannot be changed or manipulated by the host computer.

The CID number is most often used for vendors or manufacturers to lock in software to a specific device.  Since the CID number cannot be changed or modified, it’s a great way to prevent unauthorized distribution or content or software.

Some manufacturers require to read the CID number from SD media before the software is published and this is what GetUSB.info talks about.  For a full description of the article, make the jump:  How to read CID number from SD media.

Here is a snap shot of the CID reading tool for 20 SD devices:

The CID number is composed of the following values:

1. Manufacturer ID: This is an 8-bit code that identifies the manufacturer of the SD card.
2. OEM/Application ID: This is an 16-bit code that identifies the OEM or the application for which the SD card was designed.
3. Product Name: This is a 32-bit ASCII code that specifies the product name of the SD card.
4. Product Revision: This is a 8-bit code that specifies the product revision of the SD card.
5. Serial Number: This is a 32-bit code that specifies the unique serial number of the SD card.
6. Manufacturing Date: This is a 12-bit code that specifies the manufacturing date of the SD card.
7. CRC: This is a 7-bit code that is used to verify the integrity of the CID number.

The CID number is typically used by SD card host devices to verify the authenticity of the SD card and to ensure that it is compatible with the host device.

Nexcopy Inc. is a technology company based in Southern California that specializes in developing and manufacturing advanced USB duplicators, SD card duplicators, and other digital media equipment.

The company was founded in 2008 and has since established itself as a leader in the digital media duplication industry. Nexcopy’s products are used by a variety of industries, including education, government, military, and commercial businesses.

Nexcopy’s products are known for their reliability, speed, and ease of use. The company’s USB duplicators, for example, can copy up to 60 USB drives simultaneously, with transfer speeds of up to 33 MB/s per port. Nexcopy also offers SD card duplicators that can copy up to 40 SD cards simultaneously, with transfer speeds of up to 90 MB/s per port.

In addition to its hardware products, Nexcopy also offers a range of software solutions for USB and SD card duplication, as well as custom programming services for customers with specialized needs.

Overall, Nexcopy is a reputable and established company in the digital media duplication industry, known for its high-quality products and commitment to customer satisfaction.

Today Nexcopy announces an all new microSD card duplicator product line.   We reported on the Nexcopy SD duplicator from several months ago, but that version used SD adapter cards.

The new microSD duplicator is specifically designed to handle the microSD form factor.   There are no adapter cards required.   This alone will increase production by [Nexcopy estimates] 30% because the user no longer has to insert microSD media into SD adapters, then into the duplicator.

The microSD Card Duplicator comes with Nexcopy’s Drive Manager software suite which offers the largest array of copy functions.

Copy Functions for microSD Card Duplicator from Nexcopy

• File Copy
• Copy Add
• IMG Copy
• Unique Data Streaming
• Device Copy (short)
• Device Copy (Full)

File Copy

Point the Drive Manager software at a folder located on the host PC and file copy all the content from the source directory to all connected microSD cards

Copy Add

Using Drive Manager software add files and folders to microSD cards which already have data. This can be done to any card with a file system Windows can read, such as FAT, FAT32, exFAT and NTFS

IMG Copy

Copy from a source binary image file (.img) and make exact digital copies from a single image file located on the host computer hard drive. The Drive Manager software comes with image creation software to make perfect digital binary copies of any physical master the user might have.

Unique Data Streaming

With a bit of custom code, stream content from a source location to each individual card. The data stream feature will allow the user to copy both static and dynamic content to each card. This is a great solution for data publishing.

Device Copy (short)

Drive Manager offers a binary device copy from a physical master. Using the short copy mode, the Drive Manager software will only copy data clusters found on the master card. So for example, a 16GB card has only 2.5GBs of data, the short copy mode will only copy the 2.5GBs of data. This short binary copy mode only works with file systems Windows can read, such as FAT, FAT32, exFAT and NTFS.

Device Copy (full)

Drive Manager can also copy any master device, even if the file system is proprietary. The full device copy mode will perform a binary copy from the very beginning of the card, the boot code, all the way to the last sector on the card.

The microSD card duplicator is available in three sizes of 20 port, 40 port and 60 port target systems.   The starting price is $1,299 and available now for immediate delivery.

UPDATE

Nexcopy offers a new microSD card duplicator based on USB 3.0 technology with copy speeds significantly faster than the microSD200PC mentioned here. The microSD160PC is a 16 target copy system with the same advanced Drive Manager software.

UPDATE II

Drive Manager software can write CID (card identification number) into read-only memory (ROM). Specific media is required; but if writing CID value is required, this is the only commercially available product to do so.

microSD Card Background and Use:

The microSD flash memory card, also known simply as microSD, has a relatively short but impactful history, marked by rapid technological advancements and widespread adoption.

Introduction: The microSD card was first introduced in 2005 by the SD Association, a non-profit organization that sets standards for SD memory cards. It was developed as a smaller variant of the standard SD (Secure Digital) card, with dimensions of 11 mm × 15 mm × 1 mm, making it ideal for use in compact electronic devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, and portable media players.

Evolution of Capacities: Initially, microSD cards were available with relatively small storage capacities, typically ranging from a few megabytes to a few gigabytes. However, over time, advancements in flash memory technology enabled manufacturers to produce microSD cards with much larger capacities, reaching up to several terabytes (TB) in recent years.

Technological Advancements: MicroSD cards have undergone significant technological advancements since their introduction. This includes improvements in data transfer speeds, with the introduction of faster bus interfaces such as UHS-I, UHS-II, and UHS-III, allowing for faster read and write speeds to meet the demands of high-definition video recording, gaming, and other data-intensive applications.

Application Expansion: As the capacity and performance of microSD cards improved, their applications expanded beyond traditional mobile devices to include a wide range of consumer electronics, automotive systems, IoT (Internet of Things) devices, and industrial applications. MicroSD cards are now commonly used for storing music, photos, videos, maps, applications, firmware updates, and other digital content.

Adoption in Mobile Devices: MicroSD cards quickly became a standard feature in many mobile phones and smartphones, offering users a convenient way to expand the device’s storage capacity for storing media files, apps, and other data. Some devices even support the use of microSD cards as internal storage, allowing for seamless integration with the device’s onboard storage.

Security Features: With the increasing use of microSD cards for storing sensitive data, manufacturers have introduced various security features to protect against data loss, theft, and unauthorized access. This includes features such as built-in encryption, password protection, and secure erase functions.

Continued Innovation: The microSD card continues to evolve with ongoing innovation in flash memory technology. Manufacturers are constantly working to increase storage capacities, improve data transfer speeds, enhance durability, and reduce power consumption to meet the evolving needs of consumers and industries.

Source:   Nexcopy News Room.