THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PCMCIA MULTIFUNCTION I/O CONNECTOR

摘要

The PCMCIA form factor combined with the continuing reduction of component physical dimensions give system designers the ability to significantly increase the number of functions available.These functions include but are not limited to: LAN and modem, SCSI to PCMCIA, wireless communications, modem/ fax/ paging functions in a single card.These multi function cards will require an I/O connector system capable of handling signal, power, antenna and/or optical transmission.In support of this trend, Honda Connectors has developed a 32 position connector adapted from the new standard for open system LAN and modem I/O interconnect. The connector has three "ports" consisting of one each of the 15 position modem and LAN configuration and a multi function port which is presently tooled in two positions for low power. Options for this multifunction port include either an RF or a fiber optic contact. The card receptacle will mate with a 32 position cable plug or with discrete industry standard 15 position LAN and modem connectors.This paper covers the development of the connector system, the electrical and mechanical requirements taken into consideration in its design and a discussion of existing and potential applications.