Re: More Zoomer experiences
Lonnie Smith <starnet!apple!grace.rt.cs.boeing.com!smithh>
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 93 09:29:54 PDT
From: Lonnie Smith <starnet!apple!grace.rt.cs.boeing.com!smithh>
Message-id: <9310251629.AA11082@grace.rt.cs.boeing.com>
To: zoomer-list-1993@grot.starconn.com
Subject: Re: More Zoomer experiences
Status: OR
Anthony J Stieber <anthony@csd4.csd.uwm.edu> responded to a previous
posting (see |'s):
> |
> | -> I'm not sure how official this is, but the Tandy Z-PDA data sheet says
> | -> "one PCMCIA type 2 slot limited to 50mA maximum current".
> |
>
> Type II (or 2) only refers to the thickness of the card, nothing else.
> SunDisk makes special 5 volt flash memory cards for use on PCMCIA 1.0
> machines in addition to the standard 12 volt PCMCIA 2.0 cards. Anyone
> want to call SunDisk and ask them what cards the Zoomer uses?
> --
> <-:(= Anthony Stieber anthony@csd4.csd.uwm.edu uwm!uwmcsd4!anthony
>
>
I believe that is incorrect. Here is my understanding of the conventions.
The 1.0, 2.0, 2.1, etc., refer to the version numbers of the PCMCIA
specifications and/or protocols. The roman numerals of I, II, III refer
to the physical configuration of the card itself. I think it is the case
that the number of pins *or* their signal definitions changed going from
the 1.0 to 2.0 PCMCIA specification.
The 2.1 PCMCIA protocol is either released or very close to release.
Thus, to be perfectly obscure, one could have a type III card (a hard drive
say) with a 2.0 pinout specs, but, which uses the 2.1 PCMCIA protocol.
I'm not trying to be confusing, just trying illustrate that one has to be
careful. Some of these 'descriptors' are separable and not at all
intiutive. Maybe we should find a new vocabulary to describe the physical
characteristics such as full height, double height and triple height cards.
That might prevent confusing size with protocol.
Maybe someone (the PCMCIA?) should prepare a chart enumerating exactly
which combinations of pinouts, protocols and physical size are 'legal'
under the association specs. It should be a do-able thing since the
permutations are fairly small - now anyway.
--
H. Lonnie Smith Research & Technology
smithh@atc.boeing.com Boeing Computer Services
Bellevue Campus M/S 7L-40
P.O. Box 24346
1.206.865.3338 :voice Seattle, Washington, USA
1.206.865.2965 :FAX 98124-0346
*******************************************************