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PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) |
| An international standards body and trade association with over 300 member companies that was founded in 1989 to establish standards for Integrated Circuit cards and to promote interchangeability among mobile computers where ruggedness, low power, and small size were critical. As the needs of mobile computer users has changed, so has the PC Card Standard. By 1991, PCMCIA had defined an I/O interface for the same 68 pin connector initially used for Memory cards. At the same time, the Socket Services Specification was added and was soon followed by the Card Services Specifcation as developers realized that common software would be needed to enhance compatibility. |
| Types of PC Cards | |||
| The PCMCIA standards define 3 types of cards: Type I, Type II and Type III. They all have the same length and width with a 68-circuit connector as interface for the attachment to the computer. The difference is in the thickness only. | |||
| The PCMCIA standards | |||
| Cards: | Discription: | Interface: | Substrate: |
| Type I | Mainly used for various types of memory enhancements such as SRAM, flash memory, OTP, EPROM and EEPROM cards. | 3.3mm | 3.3mm |
| Type II | Typically used for memory enhancements and/or for I/O features such as data/fax modems, LANs and multimedia card applications. | 3.3mm | 5.0mm |
| Type III | Primarily used for memory enhancements and/or I/O that require more space for components such as 1.8" hard disk drive. | 3.3mm | 10.5mm |
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Last Update: 8:18 PM 8/18/01