Patent Publication Number: US-11037042-B2

Title: Semiconductor integrated circuit cards and communication systems including the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This U.S. application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/793,469 filed on Oct. 25, 2017, now allowed, which claims priority under 35 USC § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0182372, filed on Dec. 29, 2016, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     Exemplary embodiments relate to semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) cards, and more particularly to semiconductor IC cards capable of performing a function of a subscriber identification module (SIM) card and a function of a storage device simultaneously and communication systems including the same. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     Recently, when a communication device such as a smart phone is to perform wireless communications, a SIM card is connected to the communication device. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some exemplary embodiments provide a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) card capable of performing a function of a subscriber identification module (SIM) card and a function of a storage device simultaneously. 
     Some exemplary embodiments provide a communication system including the semiconductor IC card. 
     According to exemplary embodiments, a semiconductor IC card includes an external package, a SIM circuit, a plurality of SIM pins, a storage device and a plurality of memory pins. The SIM circuit is formed inside of the external package and is configured to store subscriber information. The SIM pins are formed on a surface of the external package and are electrically connected to the SIM circuit. The storage device is formed inside of the external package and is separated from the SIM circuit. The storage device includes a nonvolatile memory device. The memory pins are formed on the surface of the external package and are electrically connected to the storage device. 
     According to exemplary embodiments, a semiconductor IC card includes an external package, a SIM circuit, a plurality of SIM pins, a storage device and a plurality of memory pins. The external package has two pairs of edges, in which the edges of each pair are arranged opposite to each other. The SIM circuit is formed inside of the external package, and is configured to store subscriber information. The SIM pins are formed on a surface of the external package and are electrically connected to the SIM circuit. The storage device is formed inside of the external package and is separated from the SIM circuit. The storage device includes a nonvolatile memory device. The memory pins are formed on the surface of the external package and are electrically connected to the storage device. 
     According to exemplary embodiments, a communication device includes a first external card slot and a second external card slot. The semiconductor IC card is mounted on the first external card slot, and is configured to perform a first function to store data provided from the communication device and a second function to perform a subscriber authentication using a first subscriber information when the communication device performs a wireless communication via a first wireless network. The semiconductor IC card includes an external package, a SIM circuit, a plurality of SIM pins, a storage device and a plurality of memory pins. The SIM circuit is formed inside of the external package and is configured to store the subscriber information. The SIM pins are formed on a surface of the external package and are electrically connected to the SIM circuit. The storage device is formed inside of the external package and is separated from the SIM circuit. The storage device includes a nonvolatile memory device. The memory pins are formed on the surface of the external package and are electrically connected to the storage device. 
     Accordingly, the semiconductor IC card may perform a function of a SIM card and a function of a storage device simultaneously. Therefore, a communication system including the semiconductor IC card may connect to a SIM card semiconductor device and a storage device using fewer external card slots. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative, non-limiting exemplary embodiments will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) card according to exemplary embodiments. 
         FIGS. 2 through 5  are diagrams illustrating examples of the semiconductor IC card when the semiconductor IC card of  FIG. 1  has a shape and size according to a first standard. 
         FIGS. 6 through 8  are diagrams illustrating examples of the semiconductor IC card when the semiconductor IC card of  FIG. 1  has a shape and size according to a second standard. 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating a communication system according to exemplary embodiments. 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating a communication system according to exemplary embodiments. 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  are diagrams for explaining that the communication device in the communication system of  FIGS. 9 and 10  detects whether a semiconductor IC card is mounted. 
         FIG. 13  is a flow chart illustrating an initial operation of the communication system of  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various exemplary embodiments are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. These example exemplary embodiments are just that—examples—and many embodiments and variations are possible that do not require the details provided herein. It should also be emphasized that the disclosure provides details of alternative examples, but such listing of alternatives is not exhaustive. Furthermore, any consistency of detail between various exemplary embodiments should not be interpreted as requiring such detail—it is impracticable to list every possible variation for every feature described herein. The language of the claims should be referenced in determining the requirements of the invention. 
     Although the figures described herein may be referred to using language such as “one embodiment,” or “certain embodiments,” these figures, and their corresponding descriptions are not intended to be mutually exclusive from other figures or descriptions, unless the context so indicates. Therefore, certain aspects from certain figures may be the same as certain features in other figures, and/or certain figures may be different representations or different portions of a particular exemplary embodiment. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may be abbreviated as “/”. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. Unless the context indicates otherwise, these terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section, for example as a naming convention. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below in one section of the specification could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section in another section of the specification or in the claims without departing from the teachings of the present invention. In addition, in certain cases, even if a term is not described using “first,” “second,” etc., in the specification, it may still be referred to as “first” or “second” in a claim in order to distinguish different claimed elements from each other. 
     It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to or “on” another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to or on the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, or as “contacting” or “in contact with” another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). 
     As used herein, items described as being “electrically connected” are configured such that an electrical signal can be passed from one item to the other. Therefore, a passive electrically conductive component (e.g., a wire, pad, internal electrical line, etc.) physically connected to a passive electrically insulative component (e.g., a prepreg layer of a printed circuit board, an electrically insulative adhesive connecting two devices, an electrically insulative underfill or mold layer, etc.) is not electrically connected to that component. Moreover, items that are “directly electrically connected,” to each other are electrically connected through one or more passive elements, such as, for example, wires, pads, internal electrical lines, through vias, etc. As such, directly electrically connected components do not include components electrically connected through active elements, such as transistors or diodes. Directly electrically connected elements may be directly physically connected and directly electrically connected. 
     As is traditional in the field of the disclosed technology, features and embodiments are described, and illustrated in the drawings, in terms of functional blocks, units and/or modules. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these blocks, units and/or modules are physically implemented by electronic (or optical) circuits such as logic circuits, discrete components, microprocessors, hard-wired circuits, memory elements, wiring connections, and the like, which may be formed using semiconductor-based fabrication techniques or other manufacturing technologies. In the case of the blocks, units and/or modules being implemented by microprocessors or similar, they may be programmed using software (e.g., microcode) to perform various functions discussed herein and may optionally be driven by firmware and/or software. Alternatively, each block, unit and/or module may be implemented by dedicated hardware, or as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) to perform other functions. Also, each block, unit and/or module of the embodiments may be physically separated into two or more interacting and discrete blocks, units and/or modules without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts. Further, the blocks, units and/or modules of the embodiments may be physically combined into more complex blocks, units and/or modules without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) card according to exemplary embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a semiconductor IC card  10  may include an external package  100 , a subscriber identification module (SIM) circuit  200 , a plurality of SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - n , a storage device  300  and a plurality of memory pins  310 - 1 ˜ 310 - m . Here, n and m are positive integers. 
     The external package may have an arbitrary size 
     For example, the external package  100  may have a size and shape according to various semiconductor card standards. In an exemplary embodiment, the external package  100  may have a size and shape defined by a SIM card standard. In an exemplary embodiment, the external package  100  may have a size and shape defined by a micro secure digital (SD) card standard. 
     The SIM circuit  200  may be formed inside of the external package  100 . The SIM circuit  200  may store subscriber information for performing wireless communication. 
     The SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - n  may be formed on a surface of the external package  100 . The SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - n  may comprise conductor pads that provide a contact surface for connecting to a communication device to which it is connected. The SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - n  may be electrically connected to the SIM circuit  200  included inside of the external package  100  via package wiring of the external package. For example, the external package  100  may comprise a package substrate having SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - n  on a bottom surface (corresponding to the external surface of the external package  100 ) and one or more redistribution wiring layers, including wiring layers connecting the SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - n  to the SIM circuit  200  mounted to an upper surface of the package substrate. The SIM circuit  200  typically comprises a semiconductor integrated circuit chip or a plurality of interconnected semiconductor integrated circuit chips. 
     As will be described with reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , when the semiconductor IC card  10  is mounted on a communication device, the SIM circuit  200  may be connected to the communication device via the SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - n . The SIM circuit  200  may perform a subscriber authentication using the subscriber information, when the communication device performs wireless communication. For example, the SIM circuit  200  may store a unique serial number (an integrated circuit card ID or ICCID) to identify itself, an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) number, security authentication and ciphering information, temporary information related to the local network, a list of the services the user has access to, and passwords, such as a personal identification number (PIN) for ordinary communication device system use (e.g., to allow access and operation of the communication device upon entry and verification of the PIN) and a personal unblocker code (PUK) for PIN unlocking. 
     The storage device  300  may be formed inside of the external package  100 . The storage device  300  may include a nonvolatile memory device which is used as storage medium. For example, the storage device  300  may be a flash memory such as NAND flash or NOR flash or may be a resistive type memory such as a resistive random access memory (RRAM), a phase change random access memory (PRAM) or a magnetic random access memory (MRAM). The storage device  300  may store data when a power is cut-off. The storage device may comprise one or more semiconductor chips, such as a memory chip or stack of memory chips having memory arrays of the memory described herein. The memory chip or stack of memory chips of the may be mounted to the package substrate of the external package and electrically connected to memory pins  301 - 1 ˜ 310 - m  by package wiring, such as via wiring of the package substrate (such as a redistribution layer of the package substrate). 
     The storage device  300  may be separate from the SIM circuit  200  inside of the external package  100 . For example, one or more first semiconductor chips may form the SIM circuit  200  and one or more second semiconductor chips, different from the first semiconductor chips, may form the storage device  300 . 
     The memory pins  301 - 1 ˜ 310 - m  may be formed on the surface of the external package  100  to provide a contacting surface for connection to the communication device. In some examples, all of the memory pins  301 - 1 ˜ 310 - m  are electrically separate from all of the SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - n . In other examples, all of the memory pins  301 - 1 ˜ 310 - m  are electrically separate from all of the SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - n  that provide information to the SIM circuit  200  and the storage device  300  (e.g., pins used to transmit commands, data and address information to the SIM circuit  200  and the storage device  300  are electrically separate from each other, but pins used to transmit power may be shared). Pins that are “electrically separate” are used by and dedicated to only one of SIM circuit  200  and memory device  300 , but not the other. The SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - n  and the memory pins  301 - 1 ˜ 310 - m  may be formed on a same surface of the external package  100 . 
     As will be described with reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , when the semiconductor IC card  10  is mounted on a communication device, the storage device  300  may be connected to the communication device via the memory pins  310 - 1 ˜ 310 - n . The storage device  300  may store data provided from the communication device that is unrelated to SIM circuit  200  operation. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the storage device  300  may transmit/receive data to/from an external device via the memory pins  310 - 1 ˜ 310 - n  by using a serial interface of the storage device  300 . For example, the storage device  300  may correspond to a universal flash storage (UFS) device. Therefore, the storage device  300  may transmit and receive data at a high speed. The serial interface of the storage device  300  may comprise one or more data buffers (e.g., each memory chip of storage device  300  may comprise a data buffer) that are configured to latch received serial data and convert the same to parallel data of a certain size for internal storage. 
     As described with reference to  FIG. 1 , the semiconductor IC card  10  may perform a first function as a storage device to store data and a second function as a SIM card to perform a subscriber authentication simultaneously. 
       FIGS. 2 through 5  are diagrams illustrating examples of the semiconductor IC card when the semiconductor IC card of  FIG. 1  has a shape and size according to a first standard. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 through 5 , an external package  100   a  of each of the semiconductor IC cards  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  and  20   d  has a shape and size defined by a nano SIM card standard. 
     Although it is illustrated in  FIGS. 2 through 5  as the external package  100   a  of each of the semiconductor IC cards  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  and  20   d  has a shape and size defined by a nano SIM card standard, the external package  100   a  of each of the semiconductor IC cards  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  and  20   d  has a shape and size defined by a micro SIM card standard or mini SIM card standard. The external package  100   a  may comprise a semiconductor molding material, such as a resin based molding material, that forms the body of the external package  100   a . The molding material may be formed about the package substrate described herein to encapsulate and protect the SIM circuit  200  and storage device  300  while allowing exposure of the SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - n  and the memory pins  301 - 1 ˜ 310 - m . The molding material forming the external package  100   a  may thus be formed a continuous, homogenous and/or monolithic structure. 
     Hereinafter, it is assumed that the external package  100   a  of each of the semiconductor IC cards  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  and  20   d  has a shape and size defined by the nano SIM card standard. 
     In addition, the SIM circuit  200  and the storage device  300  are omitted from the semiconductor IC cards  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  and  20   d  in  FIGS. 2 through 5  for brevity of explanation. 
     In addition, it is illustrated that each of the semiconductor IC cards  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  and  20   d  includes a plurality of SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - 5  and a plurality of memory pins  310 - 1 ˜ 310 - 5  in  FIGS. 2 through 5 . In  FIGS. 2 through 5 , the external package  100   a  may have two pairs of edges, in which the edges of each pair are arranged opposite to each other. The edges may include an edge  121  (i.e., an insertion edge) at an insertion side where each of the semiconductor IC cards  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  and  20   d  is inserted into a socket, a second edge  123  and a third edge  125  that adjoin the edge  121  at the insertion side, and a first edge  127  opposite the edge  121  at the insertion side. The insertion edge  121  and the first edge  127  may therefore provide one of the two pairs of edges, and the second edge  123  and third edge  125  may form the other. The edge  121  at the insertion side and the first edge  127  may be substantially parallel to each other. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the external package  100   a  of the semiconductor IC card  20   a  may include a plurality of SIM standard pins C1˜C8 which are formed on a surface of the external package  100   a  and are defined by the SIM card standard. 
     Each of the SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - 5  electrically connected to the SIM circuit  200  may correspond to one of the SIM standard pins C1˜C8. 
     In a general SIM card, five SIM standard pins C1, C2, C3, C5 and C7 of the SIM standard pins C1˜C8 are used and three SIM standard pins C4, C6 and C8 of the SIM standard pins C1˜C8 are not used. 
     Therefore, the semiconductor IC card  20   a  may use the five SIM standard pins C1, C2, C3, C5 and C7 of the SIM standard pins C1˜C8 as the SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - 5  electrically connected to the SIM circuit  200 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the memory pins  310 - 1 ˜ 310 - 5  may be formed in a reserved area RA on the surface of the external package  100   a , in which the SIM standard pins C1˜C8 are not formed. 
     According to the SIM card standard, external pins are not formed in a central area surrounded by the SIM standard pins C1˜C8. Therefore, the reserved area RA may correspond to the central area surrounded by the SIM standard pins C1˜C8 on the surface. 
     As mentioned above, the storage device  300  may correspond to a UFS device. In general, the UFS device may have fewer external pins for operation than other kinds of memory cards. 
     Therefore, the memory pins  310 - 1 ˜ 310 - 5  for operation of the storage device  300  may be formed in the central area surrounded by the SIM standard pins C1˜C8, on the surface of the external package  100   a.    
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the external package  100   a  of the semiconductor IC card  20   b  may include a plurality of SIM standard pins C1˜C8 which are formed on a surface of the external package  100   a  and which are defined by the SIM card standard. 
     Each of the SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - 5  electrically connected to the SIM circuit  200  may correspond to one of the SIM standard pins C1˜C8. 
     In a general SIM card, five SIM standard pins C1, C2, C3, C5 and C7 of the SIM standard pins C1˜C8 are used and three SIM standard pins C4, C6 and C8 of the SIM standard pins C1˜C8 are not used. 
     Therefore, the semiconductor IC card  20   b  may use the five SIM standard pins C1, C2, C3, C5 and C7 of the SIM standard pins C1˜C8 as the SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - 5  electrically connected to the SIM circuit  200 . 
     As mentioned above, the storage device  300  may correspond to a UFS device. In general, the UFS device may have fewer external pins for operation than other kinds of memory cards. 
     Therefore, the memory pins  310 - 1 ˜ 310 - 5  for operation of the storage device  300  may be formed in the central area surrounded by the SIM standard pins C1˜C8, on the surface of the external package  100   a.    
     At least one of the memory pins  310 - 1 ˜ 310 - 5  may correspond to at least one of the SIM standard pins C1˜C8. 
     The semiconductor IC card  20   b  may use at least one of SIM standard pins C4, C6 and C8 of the SIM standard pins C1˜C8, which are not used as the memory pins  310 - 1 ˜ 310 - 5 , as memory pins electrically connected to the storage device  300 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , it is illustrated that the three SIM standard pins C4, C6 and C8 of the SIM standard pins C1˜C8 are used as the memory pins  310 - 3 ,  310 - 4  and  310 - 5 . 
     In this case, some memory pins  310 - 1  and  310 - 2  of the memory pins  310 - 1 ˜ 310 - 5  may be formed on the surface of the external package  100   a  separately. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, some memory pins  310 - 1  and  310 - 2  of the memory pins  310 - 1 ˜ 310 - 5  are formed in a reserved area RA on the surface of the external package  100   a , in which the SIM standard pins C1˜C8 are not formed. 
     According to the SIM card standard, external pins are not formed in a central area surrounded by the SIM standard pins C1˜C8. Therefore, the reserved area RA may correspond to the central area surrounded by the SIM standard pins C1˜C8 on the surface. 
     A number of memory pins which are additionally formed on the surface of the external package  100   a  in the semiconductor IC card  20   b  of  FIG. 3  may be smaller than a number of memory pins which are additionally formed on the surface of the external package  100   a  in the semiconductor IC card  20   a  of  FIG. 2 . 
     Therefore, the semiconductor IC card  20   b  of  FIG. 3  may be manufactured more simply than the semiconductor IC card  20   a  of  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the semiconductor IC card  20   c  differs from the semiconductor IC card  20   a  of  FIG. 2  in that the semiconductor IC card  20   c  further includes a first card detection pin CD 1  and a second card detection pin CD 2  which are formed on the surface of the external package  100   a.    
     The first card detection pin CD 1  may be connected to a ground voltage. In an exemplary embodiment, the second card detection pin CD 2  may be connected to a first voltage higher than the ground voltage. In another exemplary embodiment, the second card detection pin CD 2  may be maintained at a floating state. 
     The semiconductor IC card  20   c  may provide different voltages to the first card detection pin CD 1  and the second card detection pin CD 2 . 
     As will be described with reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , when the semiconductor IC card  20   c  is mounted on a communication device, the first card detection pin CD 1  and the second card detection pin CD 2  may be used to determine whether a card mounted on the communication device is the semiconductor IC card  20   c  or a normal SIM card. 
     For example, the communication device determines whether the card mounted on the communication device is the semiconductor IC card  20   c  or a normal SIM card by measuring voltages of the first card detection pin CD 1  and the second card detection pin CD 2 . 
     Although it is illustrated with reference to  FIG. 4  that the first card detection pin CD 1  and the second card detection pin CD 2  are formed separately on the surface of the external package  100   a , some of the unused SIM standard pins C4, C6 and C8, which are not used as the SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - 5  of the SIM standard pins C1˜C8 may be used as the first card detection pin CD 1  and the second card detection pin CD 2  in an exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the semiconductor IC card  20   d  differs from the semiconductor IC card  20   b  of  FIG. 3  in that the semiconductor IC card  20   d  further includes a first card detection pin CD 1  and a second card detection pin CD 2  which are formed on the surface of the external package  100   a.    
     The first card detection pin CD 1  may be connected to a ground voltage. In an exemplary embodiment, the second card detection pin CD 2  may be connected to a first voltage higher than the ground voltage. In another exemplary embodiment, the second card detection pin CD 2  may be maintained at a floating state. 
     The semiconductor IC card  20   d  may provide different voltages to the first card detection pin CD 1  and the second card detection pin CD 2 . 
     As will be described with reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , when the semiconductor IC card  20   d  is mounted on a communication device, the first card detection pin CD 1  and the second card detection pin CD 2  may be used to determine whether a card mounted on the communication device is the semiconductor IC card  20   d  or a normal SIM card. 
     For example, the communication device determines whether the card mounted on the communication device is the semiconductor IC card  20   d  or a normal SIM card by measuring voltages of the first card detection pin CD 1  and the second card detection pin CD 2 . 
       FIGS. 6 through 8  are diagrams illustrating examples of the semiconductor IC card when the semiconductor IC card of  FIG. 1  has a shape and size according to a second standard. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 through 8 , an external package  100   b  of each of the semiconductor IC cards  30   a ,  30   b  and  30   c  has a shape and size defined by a micro SD card standard. 
     In addition, the SIM circuit  200  and the storage device  300  are omitted from the semiconductor IC cards  30   a ,  30   b  and  30   c  in  FIGS. 6 through 8  for brevity of explanation. 
     In addition, it is illustrated that each of the semiconductor IC cards  30   a ,  30   b  and  30   c  includes a plurality of SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - 5  and a plurality of memory pins  310 - 1 ˜ 310 - 5  in  FIGS. 6 through 8 . In  FIGS. 6 through 8 , the external package  100   b  may have two pairs of edges, in which the edges of each pair are arranged opposite to each other. The edges may include an edge  131  (i.e., an insertion edge) at an insertion side where each of the semiconductor IC cards  30   a ,  30   b  and  30   c  is inserted into a socket, a second edge  133  and a third edge  135  that adjoin the edge  131  at the insertion side, and a first edge  137  opposite the edge  131  at the insertion side. The insertion edge  131  and the first edge  137  may therefore provide one of the two pairs of edges, and the second edge  133  and third edge  135  may form the other. The edge  131  at the insertion side and the first edge  137  may be substantially parallel to each other. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the external package  100   b  of the semiconductor IC card  30   a  may include a plurality of SD standard pins D1˜D8 which are formed on a surface of the external package  100   b  and are defined by the micro SD card standard. 
     Each of the memory pins  310 - 1 ˜ 310 - 5  electrically connected to the storage device  300  may correspond to one of the SD standard pins D1˜D8. 
     As mentioned above, the storage device  300  may correspond to a UFS device. In general, the UFS device may have fewer external pins for operation than other kinds of memory cards. 
     Therefore, some of the SD standard pins D1˜D8 may be used as the memory pins  310 - 1 ˜ 310 - 5  for operation of the storage device  300 . 
     In  FIG. 6 , it is illustrated that five SD standard pins D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5 of the SD standard pins D1˜D8 are used as the memory pins  310 - 1 ˜ 310 - 5 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - 5  may be formed in a reserved area on the surface of the external package  100   b , in which the SD standard pins D1˜D8 are not formed. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , according the micro SD standard, the SD standard pins D1˜D8 are not formed in a first area AR 1  adjacent to the insertion edge  131  and the insertion edge  131  has a first length L 1 . External pins are not formed in a second area AR 2  adjacent to the first edge  137  having a second length L 2  greater than the first length L 1 . 
     The SIM standard pins C1˜C8 defined by the SIM card standard may be formed in the second area AR 2 , on the surface of the external package  100   b . Each of the SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - 5  electrically connected to the SIM circuit  200  may correspond to one of the SIM standard pins C1˜C8. 
     The semiconductor IC card  30   a  may use some of SIM standard pins C1˜C8 and as the SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - 5  electrically connected to the SIM circuit  200 . 
     According to the micro SD standard, the second area AR 2  is wider than an area occupied by the SIM standard pins C1˜C8. 
     Therefore, the SIM standard pins C1˜C8 may be formed sufficiently in the second area AR 2  of the external package  100   b.    
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the semiconductor IC card  30   b  differs from the semiconductor IC card  30   a  of  FIG. 6  in that the semiconductor IC card  30   b  further includes a first card detection pin CD 1  and a second card detection pin CD 2  which are formed in the second area AR 2 , on the surface of the external package  100   b.    
     The first card detection pin CD 1  may be connected to a ground voltage. In an exemplary embodiment, the second card detection pin CD 2  may be connected to a first voltage higher than the ground voltage. In another exemplary embodiment, the second card detection pin CD 2  may be maintained at a floating state. 
     The semiconductor IC card  30   b  may provide different voltages to the first card detection pin CD 1  and the second card detection pin CD 2 . 
     As will be described with reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , when the semiconductor IC card  30   b  is mounted on a communication device, the first card detection pin CD 1  and the second card detection pin CD 2  may be used to determine whether a card mounted on the communication device is the semiconductor IC card  30   b  or a normal SIM card. 
     For example, the communication device determines whether the card mounted on the communication device is the semiconductor IC card  30   b  or a normal SIM card by measuring voltages of the first card detection pin CD 1  and the second card detection pin CD 2 . 
     Although it is illustrated with reference to  FIG. 7  that the first card detection pin CD 1  and the second card detection pin CD 2  are formed separately in the second area AR 2  of the external package  100   b , the semiconductor IC card  30   c  of  FIG. 8  uses some of unused SD standard pins D6, D7 and D8 of the SD standard pins D1˜D8, which are not used as the memory pins  310 - 1 ˜ 310 - 5 , as the first card detection pin CD 1  and the second card detection pin CD 2  without forming the first card detection pin CD 1  and the second card detection pin CD 2  separately in the second area AR 2  of the external package  100   b.    
     The semiconductor IC card  30   c  of  FIG. 8  differs from the semiconductor IC card  30   b  of  FIG. 7  in that the semiconductor IC card  30   c  of  FIG. 8  uses some of unused SD standard pins D6, D7 and D8 of the SD standard pins D1˜D8, which are not used as the memory pins  310 - 1 ˜ 310 - 5 , as the first card detection pin CD 1  and the second card detection pin CD 2 . Therefore, detailed description of the semiconductor IC card  30   c  of  FIG. 8  will be omitted for the sake of brevity. 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating a communication system according to exemplary embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a communication system  1000   a  may include a communication device  1100  and a semiconductor IC card  1200   a.    
     In an exemplary embodiment, the communication system  1000   a  may further include a SIM card  1300 . 
     The communication device  1100  may be an arbitrary communication device capable of performing wireless communication. For example, the communication device  1100  may be a smart phone, a tablet personal computer (PC), etc. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the communication device  1100  may include a first external card slot SL 1  and a second external card slot SL 2  on which an external semiconductor card is mounted. 
     The first external card slot SL 1  may accommodate selectively one of a card having a shape and a size defined by the SIM card standard and a card having a shape and a size defined by the micro SD card standard. 
     The second external card slot SL 2  may accommodate a card having a shape and a size defined by the SIM card standard. 
     The semiconductor IC card  1200   a  may be mounted on (or may be inserted into) the first external card slot SL 1 . “Mounted on” as used herein refers to a removable connection (e.g., of the semiconductor IC card  1200   a ) to the communication device to allow a user of the communication device to attach and detach the semiconductor IC card  1200   a  in a secure manner. The removable connection may be comprise inserting the semiconductor IC card  1200   a  into a slot (which may hold the semiconductor IC card  1200   a  in place with a compressing force between the major surfaces of the semiconductor IC card  1200   a  and/or have a mechanical latch to prevent the card from being withdrawn until the latch is released). The removable connection may comprise removing a cover of the communication device, inserting the semiconductor IC card  1200   a  into a slot, and reattaching the cover of the communication device. It will be apparent that other types of removable connections may be implemented to mount the semiconductor IC card  1200   a  on the communication device. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the semiconductor IC card  1200   a  may have a shape and a size defined by the SIM card standard. 
     The semiconductor IC card  1200   a  may employ one of the semiconductor IC cards  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  and  20   d  illustrated in  FIGS. 2 through 5 . 
     Therefore, when the semiconductor IC card  1200   a  is mounted on the first external card slot SL 1  of the communication device  1100 , the SIM circuit  200  in the semiconductor IC card  1200   a  is electrically connected to the communication device  1100  via the SIM pins  210 - 1 ˜ 210 - n  and the storage device  300  in the semiconductor IC card  1200   a  is electrically connected to the communication device  1100  via the memory pins  310 - 1 ˜ 310 - m.    
     Therefore, the semiconductor IC card  1200   a  may simultaneously perform a first function to store data provided from the communication device  1100  and a second function to perform a subscriber authentication using first subscriber information when the communication device  1100  performs wireless communication through a first wireless network. 
     Since configuration and operation of each of the semiconductor IC cards  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  and  20   d  have been previously described with reference to  FIGS. 2 through 5 , a detailed description of the semiconductor IC card  1200   a  will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity. 
     The SIM card  1300  may be mounted on (or may be inserted into) the second external card slot SL 2 . 
     The SIM card  1300  may be a general SIM card having a shape and a size defined by a SIM card standard. 
     Therefore, the SIM card  1300  may perform a subscriber authentication using second subscriber information when the communication device  1100  performs wireless communication through a second wireless network. 
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating a communication system according to exemplary embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a communication system  1000   b  may include a communication device  1100  and a semiconductor IC card  1200   b.    
     In an exemplary embodiment, the communication system  1000   b  may further include a SIM card  1300 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the communication device  1100  may include a first external card slot SL 1  and a second external card slot SL 2  on which an external semiconductor card is mounted. 
     The first external card slot SL 1  may selectively accommodate one of a card having a shape and a size defined by the SIM card standard and a card having a shape and a size defined by the micro SD card standard. 
     The second external card slot SL 2  may accommodate a card having a shape and a size defined by the SIM card standard. 
     The semiconductor IC card  1200   b  may be mounted on (or may be inserted into) the first external card slot SL 1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the semiconductor IC card  1200   b  may have a shape and a size defined by the micro SD card standard. 
     The semiconductor IC card  1200   b  may employ one of the semiconductor IC cards  30   a ,  30   b  and  30   c  illustrated in  FIGS. 6 through 8 . 
     Therefore, the semiconductor IC card  1200   b  may simultaneously perform a first function to store data provided from the communication device  1100  and a second function to perform subscriber authentication using first subscriber information when the communication device  1100  performs wireless communication through a first wireless network. 
     Since configuration and operation of each of the semiconductor IC cards  30   a ,  30   b  and  30   c  have been previously described with reference to  FIGS. 6 through 8 , a detailed description of the semiconductor IC card  1200   b  will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity. 
     The semiconductor IC card  1200   b  in the communication system  1000   b  of  FIG. 10  differs from the semiconductor IC card  1200   a  in the communication system  1000   a  of  FIG. 9  in that while the semiconductor IC card  1200   a  in the communication system  1000   a  of  FIG. 9  has a shape and a size defined by the SIM card standard, the semiconductor IC card  1200   b  in the communication system  1000   b  of  FIG. 10  has a shape and a size defined by the micro SD card standard. 
     In general, when a communication device is to perform wireless communication through two different wireless networks, two SIM cards corresponding to the two wireless networks should be mounted on the communication device. 
     Conventionally, the communication device  1100  in the communication system  1000   a  or  1000   b  in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , includes the first external card slot SL 1  and the second external card slot SL 2  on which an external semiconductor card is to be mounted, the communication device  1100  cannot use an additional external memory card because the communication device  1100  lacks a third slot to which the external memory card may be mounted (because the first and second external card slots SL 1  and SL 2  are occupied by two conventional SIM cards). 
     However, as described with reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the semiconductor IC card  1200   a  or  1200   b  which is mounted on the first external card slot SL 1  of the communication device  1100  may comprise both a SIM circuit  200  and a storage device  300  to thus simultaneously perform a first function to store data provided from the communication device  1100  as a storage device and a second function to perform subscriber authentication as a SIM card when the communication device  1100  performs wireless communication. 
     Therefore, the communication system  1000   a  or  1000   b  including the semiconductor IC card  1200   a  or  1200   b  may use the semiconductor IC card  1200   a  or  1200   b  as an external memory card while performing wireless communication through two different wireless networks, although the communication system  1000   a  or  1000   b  includes two external card slots SL 1  and SL 2 . 
     The storage device  300  in the semiconductor IC card  1200   a  or  1200   b  may correspond to a UFS device. The UFS device transmits/receives data using a serial interface, and the UFS device may operate normally when a distance between the UFS device and a UFS host is long. 
     Therefore, when the semiconductor IC card  1200   a  or  1200   b  is mounted on the first external card slot SL 1  of the communication system  1000   a  or  1000   b , the storage device  300  may operate normally even though a distance between the storage device  300  and an application processor is long. 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  are diagrams for explaining that the communication device in the communication system of  FIGS. 9 and 10  detects whether a semiconductor IC card is mounted. 
     As described with reference to  FIGS. 4, 5, 7 and 8 , a semiconductor IC card  1200  corresponding to one of the semiconductor IC cards  1200   a  and  1200   b , includes the first card detection pin CD 1  and the second card detection pin CD 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the first card detection pin CD 1  may be electrically connected to a ground voltage GND. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the second card detection pin CD 2  may be electrically connected to a first voltage VCC higher than the ground voltage GND as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the second card detection pin CD 2  may be maintained at a floating state as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the communication device  1100  may include a first pull-up resistor R 1  and a second pull-up resistor R 2 . 
     The first pull-up resistor R 1  may be connected between a power supply voltage VDD and a first node N 1  electrically connected to the first card detection pin CD 1  of the semiconductor IC card  1200  when the semiconductor IC card  1200  is mounted on the first external card slot SL 1 . 
     The second pull-up resistor R 2  may be connected between the power supply voltage VDD and a second node N 2  electrically connected to the second card detection pin CD 2  of the semiconductor IC card  1200  when the semiconductor IC card  1200  is mounted on the first external card slot SL 1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , when the second card detection pin CD 2  is electrically connected to the first voltage VCC higher than the ground voltage GND, the communication device  1100  determines that the semiconductor IC card  1200  is mounted on the first external card slot SL 1  when a voltage of the first node N 1  corresponds to the ground voltage GND and a voltage of the second node N 2  corresponds to the first voltage VCC. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , when the second card detection pin CD 2  is maintained at a floating state, the communication device  1100  determines that the semiconductor IC card  1200  is mounted on the first external card slot SL 1  when a voltage of the first node N 1  corresponds to the ground voltage GND and a voltage of the second node N 2  corresponds to the power supply voltage VDD. 
       FIG. 13  is a flow chart illustrating an initial operation when the communication system of  FIGS. 9 and 10  is turned-on. 
     When the communication device  1100  is turned-on (S 110 ), the communication device  1100  determines whether the semiconductor IC card  1200  or a general SIM card is mounted on the first external card slot SL 1  (S 120 ). 
     The communication device  1100  determines whether the semiconductor IC card  1200  is mounted on the first external card slot SL 1  based on a method described with reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
     When the communication device  1100  determines that the semiconductor IC card  1200  is mounted on the first external card slot SL 1  (YES in S 120 ), the communication device  1100  provides a power supply voltage to the storage device  300  in the semiconductor IC card  1200  via the memory pins  310 - 1 ˜ 310 - 5  (S 130 ). 
     Therefore, the storage device  300  is turned-on, and the communication device  1100  performs a start-up operation on the storage device  300  (S 140 ). The communication device  1100  may use the storage device  300  as storage media. 
     Afterwards, the communication device  1100  performs a normal operation (S 150 ). 
     When the communication device  1100  repeatedly determines whether the semiconductor IC card  1200  is mounted on the first external card slot SL 1  during a given time interval, and the communication device  1100  determines that the general SIM card instead of the semiconductor IC card  1200  is mounted on the first external card slot SL 1  during the given time interval, the communication device  1100  immediately performs the normal operation (S 150 ) without providing a power supply voltage for operation of the storage device  300  to the storage device  300 . 
     Therefore, when the communication system  1000   a  or  1000   b  in  FIG. 9  or  FIG. 10  determines that the semiconductor IC card  1200  is mounted on the first external card slot SL 1 , the communication system  1000   a  or  1000   b  performs a normal operation by using the semiconductor IC card  1200  as a storage media in addition to using the semiconductor IC card  1200  as a SIM card. 
     On the contrary, when the communication system  1000   a  or  1000   b  in  FIG. 9  or  FIG. 10  determines that the general SIM card is mounted on the first external card slot SL 1 , the communication system  1000   a  or  1000   b  performs a normal operation by using the card mounted on the first external card slot SL 1  as a SIM card. 
     The present disclosure may be applied to various communication devices. For example, the present disclosure may be applied to a mobile phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet PC, etc. 
     The foregoing is illustrative of exemplary embodiments and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the claims. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various exemplary embodiments and is not to be construed as limited to the specific exemplary embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, as well as other exemplary embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.