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:
- Manufacturer ID: This is an 8-bit code that identifies the manufacturer of the SD card.
- OEM/Application ID: This is an 16-bit code that identifies the OEM or the application for which the SD card was designed.
- Product Name: This is a 32-bit ASCII code that specifies the product name of the SD card.
- Product Revision: This is a 8-bit code that specifies the product revision of the SD card.
- Serial Number: This is a 32-bit code that specifies the unique serial number of the SD card.
- Manufacturing Date: This is a 12-bit code that specifies the manufacturing date of the SD card.
- 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.
Toshiba Corp. said Tuesday it has slashed production of NAND flash memory for use in USB drives and memory cards by about 30 percent at its plant in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture. It’s the first output cut for the device in about three years.
The electronics maker aims to work off inventory and see a recovery in the market amid falling prices for the memory devices due to oversupply.
Toshiba last reduced production of NAND flash memories after the 2009 financial crisis touched off a global economic downturn.
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Toshiba announced this morning of mass production in 128Gbit NAND flash memory with three-bits-per-cell storage in 19nm process.
What this means is more storage space in a smaller area. The 128Gbit memory is only 170mm square.
The reduced size implies cost of manufacturing will go down, efficiency will go up. The down side is the TLC or three bit per cell, is less stable then two bits per cell like MLC or multi layer cell technology.
This isn’t a big concern for most users as the TLC flash will go into less important devices like 
Micron is a world leader in flash memory technology, and a top brand we favor here. Micron makes memory for various devices like computers, cell phones, cameras, cars and industrial application products.
Etron indicated its EV268-series dual-core USB 3.0 flash drive controllers have been adopted by memory module vendors for their new products, which hit market shelves in March. The chip provides data transfer rates of more than 230MB/s and includes ECC checking, and supports SLC/MLC/TLC NAND flash memories built using 3Xnm and 2Xnm technologies.
The size of the global flash drive market is 80-100 million units a year, and the penetration rate for those with USB 3.0 will reach about 20% in the fourth quarter of 2012, Etron pointed out.
If the price gap between USB 2.0 drives and USB 3.0 ones is narrowed to less than US$2, consumers will be pretty much encouraged to purchase products with the faster, new interface, Etron said.
Etron specializes in specialty DRAM memory, and has been expanding its product mix. The firm previously introduced its USB 3.0 host controllers.
Sounds like SanDisk will be cutting it’s pricing for NAND memory very soon. SanDisk leads global market share for flash memory at a tune of about 40%. Kingston is another major player, and a couple weeks ago announced a major price reduction in it’s retail supply chain.
Seems the SanDisk news is their answer to the situation.
SanDisk mainly partners with chipmaker Toshiba while Kingston secures its supplies from more diversified sources.
One reasion might be that major NAND flash vendors are gearing up for mass production built using their newer node processes in mid 2012. Samsung Electronics and Toshiba are set to advance to 21nm and 19nm, respectively, and so are Hynix Semiconductor and Micron Technology to their respective 20nm processes.
This is a simple MicroSD adapter card. It allows you to interface with any micro-controllers. It is perfect for mass storage, WAV/MP3 player and data logging. The adapter breaks out the MicroSD socket to a standard 0.1″ 8-pin header. It can be plug directly into breadboards. This adapter features innovations that set it apart from other SD card adapter. Innovations feature like on-board card detect LED, Push-Push socket, and 3.3V regulator. Which mean either 3.3V or 5.0V micro-controller can be connected directly with the board. You can even use this 3.3V to power external circuits up to 250mA.
MicroSD cards offer an inexpensive, flexible and reliable way to bring data logging and data storage solutions to your electronic design projects.