"SRAM Card" that was used to save data for small PCs, data logger, and game consoles: Suite Memories File052

[Name] SRAM Card [Type] SRAM [Record method] PCMCIA1.0 / Jida 4.0 or later (68pin) [Size] 54 x 85.6x3.3mm [capacity] 2KB?~ 4MB?[Appearance year] Around 1990 ~

"SRAM Card" is a card -type media that uses SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) as a record element.Before flash memory was commonly used, it was mainly used for storing data for small devices.

SRAM is a volatile memory, but once recorded, the data is retained until the power supply is lost, so that the data can be supplied for a long time by supplying power with the battery.A familiar example using this is the battery backup mounted on a game console cassette such as NES.This was to write the save data of the game to SRAM and hold the data with the built -in battery.

By the way, the same volatile memory has a DRAM used for the main memory of the PC, but unlike SRAM, it can only hold data for a short time even if it supplies power.Therefore, it is necessary to rewrite (refresh) regularly to hold the data.DRAM was cheaper than SRAM, but it is unlikely that you will use a refresh function to use it for data storage, and it will be used for the media because cost and power consumption will increase.was.

Many IC cards using SRAM and ROMs appeared in devices such as electronic notebooks and word processors, and were used for saving data and adding font and apps, but they are basically developed by each company.What was implemented.The same device could be replaced and used, but it was normal that it could not be used with other devices.

JEIDA (Nippon Electronics Industrial Promotion Association) moved to make this general -purpose use.Co -standardized with PCMCIA in the United States, PCMCIA1.0 / Jida 4.It was released in June 1990 as 0.This standard supports memory cards, and the SRAM card (and linear flash card and mask ROM card) can now be used general -purpose.

If you write it, not only memory cards but also I/O cards (such as modems, LANs, etc.) are now supported by PCMCIA2 released in September 1991..0 / Jida 4.From 1.In addition, PCMCIA2 that supports ATA (adopted by compact flash etc.).01 appeared in November 1992, and in July 1993, the specifications were strengthened and improved..1 / Jida 4.2 has been released.For old laptops, this "PCMCIA2.1 / Jida 4.I guess there is a memory of seeing the notation 2 ".

It is simply called "PC card" in February 1995.The standard is Release 5.It is 0, 32 -bit bus Cardbus and 3.A 3V operation card has also been added.

I have derailed a lot, but let's look at the real SRAM card.

This is an i-o Data device "PCS-512K", as you can see, a 512KB SRAM card.Since it was produced until July 2005, it will be a model that was sold quite a bit until the second half of the SRAM card.

Around 2000, flash memory was already widely used, but SRAM, which can be accessed high -speed without any restrictions on the number of rewriters, may have been active for small systems.

The battery for backup can be replaced from the end of the card and the opposite side of the insertion direction.Depending on the product, it may be a screw lid, but it is nice to be able to use it again by replacing the battery even if the battery runs out.

By the way, the backup period with this card is about 4 years.There is no need to worry about running out of batteries when used normally.

In addition, there is an SRAM card that cannot be replaced in the battery in the world, one of which is a product called "NEO-IC8" sold for the neo-geo for game consoles.

Neodio is a very early SRAM card because it was released in 1990 for business use and home for home use in 1991.

The capacity is 2KB.For a moment, I doubt my eyes, but if the game data was saved at the time, this capacity would have been enough.I can't use it anymore because the battery can not be replaced, but if you search a little, you can repair it because it introduces the battery replacement method that is disassembled.

Neogio is not only a special product but also a general SRAM card, so it's easier to get another SRAM card than to replace the battery.

It is often used for digital taco graphs that were often used as commercial equipment.

It is for driving records installed in trucks, buses, taxis, etc., and data recording of octopus graphs.Rather than recording data and ending, analyzing this data has the advantage of being able to use it for safety and labor management.

In addition to the 1MB capacity notation, the area where "for 7 days" is written is for digital taco graphs.

In addition, it was a long time ago that the SRAM card was used.After that, it has been replaced with a flash memory, and now there is also a device that uses LTE to transmit real -time.

The SRAM card has a high price, so it has a stronger impression that it was used in business products more than the general public.Since the notebook PC can be built in HDD and FDD is installed for data exchange, there are not many SRAM cards.

However, that is a general notebook PC.The HP95LX, which appeared in the early 1990s and attracted attention as a small PC, had a physical space restriction, and the SRAM card was mainly used.By the time the successor model HP100LX and the popular HP200LX appeared, flash memory has emerged, and ATA flash cards have been selected more than SRAM cards.

By the way, unlike ATA flash cards, SRAM cards are not supported by Windows 10 or many card readers.If you want to check the operation, install Windows 98 and XP on a notebook PC with a PC card slot!

Series: Suite Memories

reference:

PCS Series, I -O Data Equipment PC Card Primer, PCMCIA, Wayback Machinepc Card, @itpc Card, Wikipedia