Item specifics
Description
Micro SD Card Module Product Overview
The Micro SD Card Module is an SPI‑interface TF card reader/writer that supports standard Micro SD cards (≤2GB) and high‑speed Micro SDHC cards (≤32GB). The module features an onboard 3.3V LDO regulator and a level shifter, allowing direct 4.5‑5.5V power supply and seamless compatibility with both 5V and 3.3V microcontroller systems. It communicates via the standard SPI bus (MISO, MOSI, SCK, CS) with built‑in level translation: signals to the SD card are converted to 3.3V, and the MISO signal from the SD card is converted back to the host level. Measuring 42×24×12mm with four M2 mounting holes, it is ideal for data logging, file storage, MP3 player expansion, and data acquisition systems.
Micro SD Card Module Core Features
Supports Mainstream Micro SD Cards： Compatible with standard Micro SD (≤2GB) and high‑speed Micro SDHC (≤32GB) for flexible capacity options
Onboard Level Shifter： Automatic bidirectional 3.3V/5V level conversion, directly connects to 5V MCUs (Arduino UNO) or 3.3V MCUs (ESP32, STM32)
Onboard 3.3V Regulator： Input 4.5‑5.5V, LDO outputs 3.3V to power the SD card and level shifter – no external regulator needed
Standard SPI Interface： Uses MISO, MOSI, SCK, CS four‑wire SPI bus, compatible with all mainstream MCUs (Arduino, STM32, 8051, ESP8266, etc.)
Low Power Consumption： Typical operating current 80mA, standby current 0.2mA, suitable for battery‑powered devices
Easy to Mount： Four M2 screw holes for secure installation on chassis, panels, or experimental platforms
Compact & Lightweight： 42×24×12mm, only 5g, easy to embed
Plug‑and‑Play： No soldering required, insert Micro SD card and use – hot‑plug capable
Micro SD Card Module Applications
MCU Data Logger： Record sensor data (temperature, humidity, GPS coordinates, voltage) to SD card for data logging and storage
Audio/Music Player： Pair with MP3 decoder modules to read audio files from SD card for DIY music players or voice playback systems
File System Expansion： Provide mass external storage for Arduino, ESP32, STM32 – store web files, configurations, firmware
Image/Video Capture Storage： Combine with camera modules to save JPEG images or video frames to SD card for photography and surveillance projects
Embedded System Boot Media： Boot medium for some embedded systems (FPGA configuration, Linux boot cards)
Data Backup & Transfer： Export internal device logs to SD card for analysis on a PC
Micro SD Card Module Key Advantages
5V/3.3V Universal, No Level Shifting Worries： Onboard level shifter automatically adapts to 5V or 3.3V systems – no extra converter needed, hardware design simplified
Wide Input Voltage with Onboard Regulation： Directly powered by 5V USB or 4.5‑5.5V DC, onboard LDO supplies 3.3V – saves external regulator and reduces BOM cost
Excellent SPI Compatibility： Standard SPI protocol supported by virtually all MCUs (hardware or software SPI). Rich driver libraries available (Arduino SD library, SdFat, FatFs)
Supports Large‑Capacity High‑Speed Cards： Compatible with up to 32GB Micro SDHC cards for long‑term, high‑capacity data logging
Compact, Durable, Easy to Install： Mounting holes allow secure fixing inside equipment; card slot direction is clear for easy card changes
Mature Open‑Source Ecosystem： Arduino IDE includes SD and SdFat libraries; STM32 and ESP32 have FatFs and file system support – rapid development
Why Choose QIXINWEI
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FAQ:
What is a Micro SD card module with SPI interface and level conversion chip?
It is a compact breakout board that accepts a standard microSD (TF) card and communicates with a microcontroller over the SPI bus. The on‑board level‑shifting IC allows 5 V MCUs (such as an Arduino Uno) to safely interface with the 3.3 V‑only microSD card, while also providing a 3.3 V voltage regulator. All digital signals—MOSI, MISO, SCK, and CS—are automatically shifted to the correct voltage, so no external level converters are needed.
How do I connect this microSD module to an Arduino? What pins are used?
Connect the module's VCC to Arduino 5 V, GND to GND, MISO to digital pin 12, MOSI to pin 11, SCK to pin 13, and CS (Chip Select) to any digital I/O, typically pin 10 or 4. The on‑board level converter handles the 5 V/3.3 V translation, so you can safely wire it directly. For 3.3 V boards like the ESP32, connect VCC to 3.3 V and the logic pins directly (no level conversion is needed, but the module still works).
Why does my Arduino fail to initialize the SD card? What are the most common causes?
Initialization failure is usually caused by one of the following: (1) the card is not formatted as FAT16 or FAT32 (exFAT and NTFS are not supported by the standard SD library); (2) the wiring is incorrect—double‑check MOSI, MISO, SCK, and CS; (3) the power supply is too weak—use a good‑quality USB cable or an external 5 V supply, as the module can draw up to 200 mA during writes; (4) the CS pin is not defined in software or is conflicting with another SPI device. Also, ensure the card is fully inserted and the module's solder pads are clean.
What Arduino library should I use to read and write files on this microSD module?
The built‑in `SD` library (based on sdfat) is the easiest starting point. It comes pre‑installed with the Arduino IDE and provides functions like `SD.begin()`, `open()`, `write()`, and `print()`. For advanced features or better performance, use the `SdFat` library, which supports long file names, sub‑directories, and faster data rates. Both libraries work seamlessly with this SPI module; just remember to set the correct CS pin in your sketch.
Does this module support SDHC and SDXC cards? What is the maximum capacity?
Yes, the module is compatible with SDSC (≤2 GB), SDHC (4‑32 GB), and SDXC (64 GB–2 TB) cards, provided they are formatted with a FAT32 file system. However, cards larger than 32 GB are typically pre‑formatted as exFAT, which the standard Arduino SD library cannot read. You must reformat them to FAT32 using a third‑party tool on your PC. The electrical interface and level converter work with any capacity; the limitation is purely in the software's file‑system support.
What is the difference between the SPI microSD module and a full‑speed SDIO interface? Which is faster?
The SPI module communicates at the microcontroller's SPI clock speed, typically up to 25 MHz on an Arduino, giving a theoretical throughput of about 3 MB/s. In practice, the standard SD library writes at 100‑300 KB/s. A native SDIO interface (available on some MCUs like the ESP32) uses a 4‑bit parallel bus and can reach 10‑20 MB/s. The SPI module is slower but simpler, uses fewer I/O pins, and works with virtually any MCU. For data‑logging applications that write at a few hundred samples per second, the SPI interface is more than sufficient.
Can I hot‑plug the microSD card while the module is powered? Is it safe?
Technically, the SPI bus is not hot‑plug‑friendly. Removing or inserting the card while the module is powered may corrupt the file system or cause a brown‑out reset of the microcontroller. Although many developers do it without immediate damage, it is best practice to stop all read/write operations, call `SD.end()` if available, and then insert or remove the card. If you must support hot‑swapping in a product, implement a card‑detect switch and unmount the file system in software before the physical removal.
How does the on‑board level‑conversion chip work? Can I use this module with a 3.3 V MCU directly?
The module uses a 74HC4050 or a dedicated level‑shifter IC that translates the 5 V signals from the MCU (MOSI, SCK, CS) down to 3.3 V for the SD card, and the 3.3 V MISO signal from the card is shifted up to 5 V. When using a 3.3 V MCU, simply connect VCC to 3.3 V; the level shifter still works transparently (it passes signals through without changing their voltage). This makes the module equally compatible with 5 V and 3.3 V systems without any modifications.
What are the power requirements of the microSD module? Can it cause my Arduino to reset?
The module itself draws only a few milliamps, but the microSD card can consume up to 100‑200 mA during write operations. If the 5 V supply (e.g., from a USB port or a weak battery) cannot provide enough current, the voltage may sag and cause the Arduino to reset. To avoid this, use a high‑quality USB cable, add a 100 µF electrolytic capacitor across the module's VCC and GND pins, or power the Arduino from a reliable 5 V bench supply. Never power a motor or servo from the same 5 V rail while writing to the SD card.
What are the most common applications for this microSD module in Arduino and IoT projects?
It is used for data logging (temperature, humidity, GPS tracks), storing configuration files, playing audio (WAV/MP3) with a DAC, serving as a web‑page repository for an ESP32/Arduino web server, and capturing images from a camera module. Its low pin count, standard SPI interface, and built‑in level conversion make it a plug‑and‑play storage solution for almost any microcontroller project that needs removable, high‑capacity memory.