Eye-Fi - Wi-Fi-enabled secure digital (SD) memory - cards have existed for several years now and many users like them for their ease of use, but many dislike because of low capacities, high costs and proprietary software. JEDEC, the global leader in standards development for the microelectronics industry, on Thursday announced intention to standardize non-volatile wireless memory.

Wireless memory is rapidly emerging as the next generation in data transfer technology, and is intended to enable fast, wireless connectivity with read/write capability between mobile devices (Wireless Memory Hosts) and battery-free memory tags (Wireless Memory Tags). At present, one of the goals of the standard is to reach over 100Mb/s transfer speed between wireless memory and other devices. Standardization activities will focus to create a solution which is memory interface agnostic with respect to the actual structure of the Wireless Memory Tag and Wireless Memory Host.

The subcommittee to standardize wireless NAND flash memory cards and wireless embedded memory will be headed by Nokia Corp. and vice-chaired by Micron Technology and Samsung Semiconductor.

“There is currently no standard for this type of high speed, low power wireless data transfer. Creating a standard is essential to enabling manufacturing, distribution and retail businesses to benefit from the 100+ Mbit/s transfer rates achieved at close proximity, using very low power wireless memory. It will also enable consumers to enjoy new, fast wireless experiences, such as downloading a music album in under 10 seconds in a store,” said Hannu Kauppinen, head of Nokia Research Center.

The soon-to-be-standardized technology promises to offer multiple alternatives for sharing and storing content wirelessly, including device-to-device and device-to-accessory connectivity.

“The new wireless memory activity in JC-64 is part of an ongoing effort within JEDEC to extend memory technologies to meet the industry’s need for innovative solutions that best meet enterprise and consumer demands. We welcome all interested companies to participate in the development of open industry standards within JEDEC to help enable and grow the market for wireless memory,” said John Kelly, the president of JEDEC.

Tags: JEDEC, Eye-Fi, NAND, Flash