exFAT® support
Full external media access for embedded systems
For those who want or need exFAT® support for emFile, SEGGER has partnered with Microsoft to make a direct Microsoft license available through SEGGER. exFAT support for emFile is a specialized implementation of the exFAT file system tailored for embedded systems
Overview
The exFAT (Extensible File Allocation Table) file system was developed by Microsoft in 2006 and is specifically optimized for flash memory, including USB flash drives and SD cards. Initially proprietary, the specification for exFAT was made publicly available by Microsoft in 2019. However, Microsoft retains patents on various aspects of the file system design. The SD Association has selected exFAT as the standard file system for SDXC and SDUC memory cards larger than 32 GB.
SEGGER is an official implementation partner for Microsoft's exFAT. We offer exFAT licenses as an add-on for the emFile file system. You can purchase these licenses directly from SEGGER. exFAT is commonly used in combination with the FAT file system to ensure compatibility and flexibility for different storage needs.
Key features
exFAT support ensures compatibility across platforms, includes emFile’s transaction-safe operations for data integrity, and integrates seamlessly with SEGGER's emFile ecosystem. This makes it ideal for a wide range of embedded applications where reliable storage management and performance are crucial requirements.
Transaction-safe operations
With exFAT support, emFile also uses its own storage layer responsible for data integrity. Each write operation to the media is atomic, ensuring data integrity at the storage layer and keeping the file system operational at all times. Adding emFile’s Journaling extension can provide another level of data security to prevent data loss.
Large file & volume support
exFAT supports files larger than 4 GB and volumes larger than 2 TB. It also supports a large number of directories, long file names, and Unicode characters. This is important for embedded systems that increasingly utilize high-capacity storage devices.
Cross-platform compatibility
exFAT supports all major operating systems as well as several other platforms including Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux. This makes it easy to move files between devices without compatibility issues or the need to reformat the storage device.
Use cases
exFAT support is particularly suitable for exchangeable media, such as SD cards or memory sticks (USB sticks), which can be formatted in various ways.
Data transfer between consumer electronics
Transferring data via external storage devices requires reliable file handling, eliminating the need to format each device to access the data. exFAT support for emFile is appropriate for devices such as cameras, gaming consoles, and smart TVs that need to transfer data from a camera capable of capturing 4K video and storing high-resolution images to a computer.
Performance delivery in automotive infotainment systems
In automotive infotainment systems, the integration of exFAT and SEGGER's emFile offers significant advantages, including support for large multimedia files, reliable performance, and seamless interoperability with external devices. This combination enhances the user experience by providing rich entertainment options and reliable navigation features, while ensuring system integrity and ease of use.
Data processing with industrial data loggers
Today's industrial companies use data loggers to monitor and record vast amounts of sensor data from various machines in a factory, continuously collecting and storing information such as temperature, pressure, and humidity. With exFAT support for emFile, this extensive data can be reliably stored and easily transferred to different systems for analysis.
How exFAT support works with emFile
SEGGER's implementation adheres to the exFAT file system specification developed by Microsoft. exFAT support is integrated into SEGGER's comprehensive file system library for embedded applications and relies on emFile’s storage layer for memory access. It uses the same APIs, making it easy for developers to incorporate exFAT functionality into their applications. exFAT support employs efficient algorithms for file allocation, read/write operations, and directory management to maximize performance and minimize resource utilization and of course automatic detection of the file system itself.
Licensing
SEGGER offers a highly tuned and licensed Microsoft exFAT implementation and a high-quality end-customer experience, including warranty and support.
Request a quotation
exFAT support is available upon request. Please fill out the form below and let us know how we can help.