Adafruit SPI Flash SD Card - XTSD 2 GB

Description
This breakout board features a unique chip that resembles an SPI Flash storage chip (like the GD25Q16), but it's actually an SD card in an SMT format. This design allows you to connect it like a standard SD card breakout and utilize existing SD card libraries for your microcontroller. For instance, you can easily use the built-in SD library in Arduino or the sdcard library in CircuitPython. The breakout functions like a pre-formatted 2GB SD card with FAT formatting.

You might wonder why you'd need such a device, especially since it can't be plugged directly into a computer for file access like a MicroSD card. This chip is ideal for specific use cases, such as data logging in high-vibration environments where loose SD cards could be an issue, or when you need a compact design, particularly when your microcontroller supports USB mass storage.

Unlike standard SPI flash, this NAND memory chip manages wear leveling and ECC calculations automatically. You can write and read to it just like any SD card without needing to manually erase blocks. It supports clock speeds up to 50 MHz, with a write speed class of 8 (though you may not reach that speed with basic 1-bit SPI compared to SDIO).

We designed this breakout for quick and easy setup. It operates in "SPI" mode and includes level shifters for compatibility with both 3V and 5V logic. Additionally, a 3.3V regulator and a pull-up resistor on the CS pin are included. Just wire the SPI pins to your microcontroller, use your preferred SD library, and you’ll be up and running in no time!