SD Specifications 
Part 1 
UHS-II Simplified Addendum 
Version 1.02 
July 25, 2018 
Addendum to: 
SD Specifications 
Part 1 Physical Layer Simplified Specification 
Version 6.00 July 25, 2018, or later 
Technical Committee  
SD Card Association 
 
 
©Copyright 2010-2018 SD Card Association 
UHS-II Simplified Addendum Version 1.02 
Revision History 
Date 
Version 
Changes compared to previous issue 
November 8, 2013 
1.01 
May 28, 2014 
July 25, 2018 
1.02 
1.02 
The first release of UHS-II Simplified Addendum 
 (Created by the UHS-II Addendum Version 1.01) 
Fixed Section number from 3.2 to 3.5 
 
Revised Disclaimers 
 
 
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UHS-II Simplified Addendum Version 1.02 
 
Release of SD Simplified Specification/Addendum 
The  following  conditions  apply  to  the  release  of  the  SD  Simplified  Specification/Addendum  by  the  SD 
Card  Association.  The  Simplified  Specification/Addendum  is  a  subset  of  the  complete  version  of  SD 
Specification/Addendum which is owned by the SD Card Association. 
©Copyright 2010-2018 SD Card Association 
 
Conditions for publication 
 
Publisher and Copyright Holder: 
SD Card Association 
2400 Camino Ramon, Suite 375 
San Ramon, CA 94583 USA 
Telephone: +1  (925) 275-6615, 
Fax: +1 (925) 886-4870 
E-mail: help@sdcard.org 
 
 
Disclaimers 
is  made  available  by 
 
This  Simplified  Specification 
the  SD  Card  Association  (the  “SDA”)  at 
https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/pls/index.html (the “Site”) and your access to and/or use of this Simplified 
Specification is subject to the SIMPLIFIED SPECIFICATION TERMS AND CONDITIONS (the “Terms”) that 
are displayed by clicking the "Download" button at https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/pls/index.html. 
 
If  you  are  viewing  or  have  accessed  this  Simplified  Specification  via  any  source,  medium,  or  in  any  other 
way other than directly from the Site pursuant your acceptance of the Terms, then your access to, viewing 
of, and/or use of the Simplified Specification is in violation of the SDA’s and its licensors’ intellectual property 
rights.    Accordingly,  unless  obtained  directly  from  the  Site  pursuant  to  the  Terms,  immediately  cease  and 
desist  all  viewing,  using,  or  accessing  the  Simplified  Specification;  destroy  any  copies  of  the  Simplified 
Specification in your possession, custody or control; and, if you desire access to the Simplified Specification, 
proceed  to  the  Site  to  obtain  access  and  use  of  the  Simplified  Specification  in  an  authorized  manner 
pursuant to the Terms.  
 
Distribution  of  the  Simplified  Specification,  other  than  through  the  Site,  is  a  violation  of  the  Terms  and  the 
intellectual property rights of the SDA and its licensors. The only rights granted in the Simplified Specification 
are those expressly granted in the Terms. All rights not expressly granted pursuant to your acceptance of the 
Terms are reserved to the SDA and its licensors.   Notice is also hereby provided that notwithstanding any 
rights granted by the Terms, any implementation of the Simplified Specifications or any portions thereof may 
require a separate license from the SDA, SD Group, SD-3C, LLC or other third parties.  
 
 
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©Copyright 2010-2018 SD Card Association 
UHS-II Simplified Addendum Version 1.02 
 
Conventions Used in This Document 
 
Naming Conventions 
  Some terms are capitalized to distinguish their definition from their common English meaning.  Words 
not capitalized have their common English meaning.   
Numbers and Number Bases 
  Hexadecimal numbers are written with a lower case "h" suffix, e.g., FFFFh and 80h.   
  Binary numbers are written with a lower case "b" suffix (e.g., 10b).  
  Binary numbers larger than four digits are written with a space dividing each group of four digits, as 
in 1000 0101 0010b. 
  All other numbers are decimal. 
Key Words 
  May: 
  Shall: 
  Should: 
Indicates flexibility of choice with no implied recommendation or requirement. 
Indicates  a  mandatory  requirement.  Designers  shall 
requirements to ensure interchangeability and to claim conformance with the specification. 
Indicates  a  strong  recommendation  but  not  a  mandatory  requirement.  Designers  should 
give  strong  consideration  to  such  recommendations,  but  there  is  still  a  choice  in 
implementation.  
implement  such  mandatory 
Application Notes 
Some sections of this document provide guidance to the host implementers as follows: 
Application Note: 
This is an example of an application note. 
 
 
 
 
 
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UHS-II Simplified Addendum Version 1.02 
 
Table of Contents 
©Copyright 2010-2018 SD Card Association 
1. General ................................................................................................................................ 1 
2. System Features ................................................................................................................. 2 
3. UHS-II System Concept ...................................................................................................... 3 
3.1 Interface Speed .......................................................................................................................... 3 
3.2 Connection Topologies ............................................................................................................... 4 
3.2.1 Point to Point Connection ..................................................................................................... 4 
3.2.2 Multi-device Connection ....................................................................................................... 5 
3.2.2.1 Ring Connection ........................................................................................................................ 6 
3.2.2.2 Hub Connection ......................................................................................................................... 6 
3.3 Layering ...................................................................................................................................... 7 
3.4 UHS-II Transaction ..................................................................................................................... 8 
3.4.1 UHS-II Packet ...................................................................................................................... 8 
3.4.2 Data Transaction .................................................................................................................. 9 
3.4.3 CM-TRAN ............................................................................................................................. 9 
3.4.4 SD-TRAN ........................................................................................................................... 10 
3.4.5 Aborting Transaction ........................................................................................................... 10 
3.5 UHS-II Initialization Outline ........................................................................................................ 11 
3.5.1 UHS-II Initialization Flow without Boot Code Loading .......................................................... 11 
3.5.2 UHS-II Initialization Flow with Boot Code Loading .............................................................. 12 
4. Physical Layer Specification ........................................................................................... 14 
4.1 Physical Layer Overview .......................................................................................................... 14 
4.2 Physical Layer Interface Architecture ........................................................................................ 14 
4.2.1 Lane Definition ................................................................................................................... 15 
4.2.2 Range Definition for Data Rate ........................................................................................... 16 
4.2.3 Power Supply Connections ................................................................................................ 16 
4.3 Electrical Specification .............................................................................................................. 17 
4.3.1 Definition of Single-ended and Differential Signals ............................................................. 17 
4.3.2 Specification of Transmitter and Receiver........................................................................... 17 
4.3.3 Eye-mask Template ............................................................................................................ 18 
4.3.4 Jitter ................................................................................................................................... 19 
4.3.5 Return Loss ........................................................................................................................ 20 
4.4 EIDL State ................................................................................................................................ 20 
4.5 Symbol Coding ......................................................................................................................... 20 
4.6 Loopback Mode ........................................................................................................................ 21 
4.7 PHY Test Mode ......................................................................................................................... 23 
4.7.1 The Sequences used in PHY Test Mode ............................................................................ 25 
4.7.2 Definition of TMD1 and TMD2 ............................................................................................ 26 
4.7.2.1 TMD1 ....................................................................................................................................... 26 
4.7.2.2 TMD2 ....................................................................................................................................... 26 
4.7.3 Test Modes ......................................................................................................................... 28 
4.7.4 An Example Procedure ....................................................................................................... 31 
4.7.5 Test Mode for Host ............................................................................................................. 32 
5. Link Layer Specification ................................................................................................... 33 
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©Copyright 2010-2018 SD Card Association 
UHS-II Simplified Addendum Version 1.02 
 
5.1 Link Layer Overview ................................................................................................................. 33 
5.2 Link Layer Protocol ................................................................................................................... 33 
5.2.1 Protocol Overview .............................................................................................................. 33 
5.2.2 Link Symbol Set (LSS) ....................................................................................................... 33 
5.2.3 Header for UHS-II Packet ................................................................................................... 34 
5.2.4 Message Packet (MSG) ..................................................................................................... 35 
5.2.4.1 Overview.................................................................................................................................. 35 
5.2.4.2 CODE Definition for Each IDX ................................................................................................ 36 
5.2.4.3 MSG Duplication ..................................................................................................................... 36 
5.2.5 Error Identifier .................................................................................................................... 36 
5.2.6 Framing Rules .................................................................................................................... 37 
5.2.7 Symbol Encoding and Byte Ordering in 8b/10b .................................................................. 37 
5.2.8 Physical Lane State Machine (PLSM) ................................................................................ 38 
5.2.8.1 Overview.................................................................................................................................. 38 
5.2.9 Data Link State Machine (DLSM) ....................................................................................... 39 
5.2.9.1 Overview.................................................................................................................................. 39 
6. Transaction Layer Specification ...................................................................................... 40 
6.1 Transaction Layer Overview ..................................................................................................... 40 
6.1.1 Packet Types and Format Overview ................................................................................... 41 
6.2 Transaction Layer Protocol ....................................................................................................... 43 
6.2.1 UHS-II I/O Space and Memory Address Space .................................................................. 43 
6.2.2 Packet Format Details ........................................................................................................ 44 
6.2.2.1 Header ..................................................................................................................................... 44 
6.2.2.2 CCMD ...................................................................................................................................... 44 
6.2.2.3 Broadcast CCMD .................................................................................................................... 47 
6.2.2.4 DCMD ...................................................................................................................................... 48 
6.2.2.5 RES (NACK = 0) ..................................................................................................................... 50 
6.2.2.6 RES (NACK = 1) ..................................................................................................................... 53 
6.2.2.7 DATA ........................................................................................................................................ 53 
6.2.2.8 Operation of Reserved Bits in the Packet ............................................................................... 54 
6.2.3 Supplements of UHS-II Initialization ................................................................................... 55 
6.2.4 Transition to Dormant State ................................................................................................ 56 
6.2.4.1 General .................................................................................................................................... 56 
6.2.4.2 Hibernate Mode ....................................................................................................................... 57 
6.2.4.2.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................... 57 
6.2.5 Reset .................................................................................................................................. 57 
6.2.6 Device Initialization Mechanism .......................................................................................... 58 
6.2.6.1 General .................................................................................................................................... 58 
6.2.7 Enumeration Mechanism .................................................................................................... 60 
6.2.7.1 General .................................................................................................................................... 60 
6.2.8 Configuration Mechanism ................................................................................................... 61 
6.2.8.1 Basic Specification .................................................................................................................. 61 
6.2.8.2 Determination of Block Length ................................................................................................ 61 
6.2.8.3 Quick Configuration ................................................................................................................. 61 
6.2.9 Configuration Register (CFG_REG) ................................................................................... 63 
6.2.9.1 Register Map ........................................................................................................................... 63 
6.2.9.2 CFG_REG Description ............................................................................................................ 64 
6.2.9.2.1 Generic Capabilities Register ........................................................................................... 65 
6.2.9.2.2 PHY Capabilities Register ................................................................................................ 66 
6.2.9.2.3 LINK/TRAN Capabilities Register ..................................................................................... 67 
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UHS-II Simplified Addendum Version 1.02 
 
©Copyright 2010-2018 SD Card Association 
6.2.9.2.4 Generic Settings Register................................................................................................. 68 
6.2.9.2.5 PHY Settings Register ...................................................................................................... 69 
6.2.9.2.6 LINK/TRAN Settings Register .......................................................................................... 71 
6.2.9.2.7 Preset Register ................................................................................................................. 71 
6.2.10 Status Register (ST_REG) ............................................................................................... 72 
6.2.10.1 Register Map ......................................................................................................................... 72 
6.2.10.2 ST_REG Description ............................................................................................................. 72 
6.2.10.2.1 Status in TRANS_ABORT Register................................................................................ 72 
6.2.11 Interrupt Register (INT_REG) ........................................................................................... 74 
6.2.11.1 Register Map ......................................................................................................................... 74 
6.2.11.2 INT_REG Description ............................................................................................................ 74 
6.2.11.2.1 INT Enable ...................................................................................................................... 74 
6.2.11.2.2 INT Status ....................................................................................................................... 74 
6.2.12 Command Register (CMD_REG)...................................................................................... 75 
7. SD-TRAN Specification .................................................................................................... 76 
7.1 SD-TRAN Overview .................................................................................................................. 76 
7.1.1 Packet Types and Format Overview ................................................................................... 76 
7.1.2 Registers for Legacy SD ..................................................................................................... 77 
7.2 SD-TRAN Protocol.................................................................................................................... 77 
7.2.1 Packet Format Details ........................................................................................................ 77 
7.2.1.1 CCMD ...................................................................................................................................... 77 
7.2.1.2 DCMD ...................................................................................................................................... 79 
7.2.1.3 RES ......................................................................................................................................... 80 
7.2.1.4 RES (NACK = 1) ..................................................................................................................... 82 
7.2.1.5 DATA ........................................................................................................................................ 82 
7.2.2 DATA Burst Framing Rules in SD-TRAN ............................................................................. 83 
7.2.3 Interface Selection for UHS-II Card and Initialization .......................................................... 83 
7.2.3.1 Overview.................................................................................................................................. 83 
7.2.3.2 Interface Selection after Power Up ......................................................................................... 83 
7.2.3.3 Interface Selection after FULL_RESET or GO_DORMANT_STATE...................................... 84 
7.2.4 Transaction Control and Management State Machine ........................................................ 85 
7.2.4.1 Card Identification Mode ......................................................................................................... 85 
7.2.4.2 Data Transfer Mode ................................................................................................................ 87 
8. 2L-HD Mode (optional) ...................................................................................................... 89 
8.1 Overview .................................................................................................................................. 89 
9. Additional Lanes Support (optional) ............................................................................... 90 
9.1 Overview .................................................................................................................................. 90 
Appendix A (Normative) : Reference ................................................................................... 91 
A.1 Related Documentation ............................................................................................................ 91 
Appendix B (Normative) : Special Terms ............................................................................ 92 
B.1 Terminology .............................................................................................................................. 92 
B.2 Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................ 93 
Appendix C (Normative) : Test Condition of Measuring Output Signals ......................... 96 
C.1 Test Condition for Host Output Signal at TP2 ........................................................................... 96 
C.2 Test Condition for Card Output Signal at TP2 ........................................................................... 96 
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Appendix D (Normative) : Register ..................................................................................... 98 
D.1 Register Summary ................................................................................................................... 98 
D.1.1 Register Types ................................................................................................................... 98 
D.1.2 Register Initial Values ........................................................................................................ 98 
©Copyright 2010-2018 SD Card Association 
Appendix E (Informative) : Design Guide ........................................................................... 99 
Appendix F (Informative) : PHY-LINK I/F .......................................................................... 100 
Appendix G (Informative) : Host's Operation in Detecting Timeout ............................... 101 
 
 
 
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