The CompactFlash Association (CFA) on Tuesday announced the CFast2.0 draft specification, which leverages the SATA-3 interface for higher performance. General availability of the CFast2.0 specification is expected in Q4 of 2012. The CompactFlash Association was formed in 1995 as the initial digital film format and continues to serve professional imaging markets. CFast2.0?s performance capability of up to 600MB/sec enable CFA to serve new professional video markets such as high definition TV production and cinema video production environments.

CFast2.0 leverages the SATA-3 interface for higher performance. Host manufacturers will be able to leverage their experience and investment in the ATA storage protocol and media manufacturers will be able to leverage high volume solid state disk (SSD) controller technology to serve the high performance requirements of this market. The new format will have VPG (Video Performance Guarantee) capability with profiles capable of supporting compressed digital intermediate video formats.

High Definition TV production environments require digital intermediate compression formats where 2K @ 120 frames per second requires reliable performance of 200MB/sec to 250MB/sec. 4K production environments require 4X the data rates of 2K. For example, 4K at 30 frames per second also requires 200MB/sec to 250MB/sec. These next-generation video applications produce videos with incredibly high resolution that exceed CompactFlash cards? data recording maximum capability of 167MB/sec for CF6.0.

The new CFast2.0 specification is available to members and will be available for purchase by non-members after the IP review period closes in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Key features of CFast2.0 include:
- Provides an interface speed of 600MB/s.
- Provides a low power sleep mode that helps preserve battery life when the card is not in use.
- Form Factor: 42.8mm x 36.4mm x 3.6mm