XQD_card
XQD card
Memory card format
The XQD card is a memory card format primarily developed for flash memory cards. It uses PCI Express as a data transfer interface.
The format is targeted at high-definition camcorders and high-resolution digital cameras. It offers target read and write speeds from 1 Gbit/s to about 5 Gbit/s [1][note 1] and storage capabilities beyond 2 TB.[2][3][failed verification]
The cards are not backward compatible with CompactFlash or CFast cards, and despite the name similarity, has no connection with the xD-Picture Card. XQD and CFast were both designed as a replacement of the 1994 CompactFlash standard.
The format was first announced in November 2010 by SanDisk, Sony and Nikon, and was immediately picked up by the CompactFlash Association for development.[4] The final specification was announced in December 2011.[1][5]
XQD version 2.0 was announced in June 2012, featuring support for PCI Express 3.0 with transfer rates up to 8 Gbit/s (1 GB/s).[6]
On 7 September 2016 the CFA announced the successor of XQD, CFexpress.[7] This new standard uses the same form-factor and interface but uses the NVMe protocol for higher speeds, lower latencies and lower power consumption.