JEDEC Solid State Technology Association today announced the publication of JESD84-B51: Embedded MultiMediaCard (e.MMC), Electrical Standard (5.1). e.MMC v5.1 defines new features and updates for this embedded mass-storage flash memory that is widely used in smartphones and other mobile devices. The new version of e.MMC offers command queueing for the first time, and also defines important security updates. JESD84-B51 is available for free download from the JEDEC website.

The new revision of the standard defines e.MMC Command Queueing, which supports the optimized execution of commands within the device, versus the single thread protocol defined in prior versions of the standard. Command Queueing will enable the device to analyze commands before executing them, thereby maximizing effectiveness of the e.MMC memory storage. This will result in a positive effect on random read performance and read latency, thereby improving the end user experience.

e.MMC Secure Write Protection defines a new security protocol that ensures only a trusted entity will be capable of protecting or unprotecting the device. Enhanced Strobe Mode for HS400 improves upon the HS400 mode interface speed increase that was first defined in e.MMC version 5.0, by facilitating faster synchronization between the host and the device.

Other features added to e.MMC in version 5.1 include:

• Extension to 8KB of RPMB (Replay Protected Memory Block) access data length for throughput improvements
• Cache Enhancement Barrier
• Cache Flushing Report
• Background Operation Control
• Editorial clarifications

Samsung has already announced the development of the first memory chips based on the new eMMC 5.1 standard.