4.5.4. SD/MMC and eMMC Card Interface Design Guidelines
GUIDELINE: Include a voltage translator if you plan on support the SD 1.8V
feature. A translator is necessary because the HPS I/O cannot change
voltage levels dynamically like the SD card.
SD cards initially operate at 3.3V, and some cards can switch to 1.8V after
initialization. In addition, some MMC cards can operate at both 1.8V as well as 3.3V.
Because the
BSEL
values are constant during the boot process, transceivers are
required to support level-shifting and isolation for cards that can operate at 1.8 V.
Follow the guidelines in "Voltage Switching" in the "SD/MMC Controller" chapter of the
appropriate Hard Processor System Technical Reference Manual. Some MMC cards can
operate with only 1.8V I/O operation and initial operation at 3.3V is not required. In
this situation, a level shifter is not needed.
Table 8.
Level Shifting Requirements
HPS I/O Bank Voltage
SD Card Voltage
Level Shifter Needed?
3.3V
3.3V
No
3.3V
1.8V
Yes
1.8V
3.3V
Yes
1.8V
1.8V
Yes
GUIDELINE: Ensure that timing is considered for initial ID mode and data
transfer mode as well as normal operation.
SD cards initially operate at 400 KHz maximum when they are going through the ID
process. After that there is a data transfer mode, during which the clock can operate
up to 12.5 MHz. In normal operation, the clock can operate up to 50 MHz. The Boot
ROM takes care to ensure that clocking is properly configured during ID and transfer
modes.
Refer to the "CSEL Settings for the SD/MMC Controller" table in the "Booting and
Configuration" appendix of the appropriate Hard Processor System Technical
Reference Manual.
GUIDELINE: Ensure that the SD/MMC card is reset whenever the HPS is reset.
To allow the system to boot from SD/MMC, whenever the HPS is reset, ensure that the
SD/MMC card is also reset. This ensures that the memory card is in the state expected
by the boot code.
Related Information
•
Level shifting guidelines for 1.8 V SD operation in the Cyclone V HPS
•
Level shifting guidelines for 1.8 V SD operation in the Arria V HPS
•
CSEL Settings for the SD/MMC Controller
Table in the "Booting and Configuration" appendix of the Cyclone V Hard
Processor System Technical Reference Manual
4. Board Design Guidelines for SoC FPGAs
AN-796 | 2018.06.18
AN 796: Cyclone V and Arria V SoC Device Design Guidelines
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