VisorCentral.com - PC Card in Springboard Slot... Is it possible?

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Posted by edgenut on 12-07-2002 07:16 AM:

PC Card in Springboard Slot... Is it possible?

I've been wondering if it would be possible to use a PC Card (like a Network card) in the Springboard slot. They are the same exact connectors and the PC card will fit (if done right). I assume you would need drivers? Has anybody thought of this?

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Posted by cml on 12-07-2002 12:49 PM:

You would have find schematics on each technology to figure this out.

Even though they are the same connector, there may be differences such as what pin provides voltage, in/out etc.

And yes, hacks would have to be applied and drivers would need to be developed.

not exactly as straight forward as everyone thinks, although it could be pulled off if someone took the time to figure out the schematics and made a PC Card to Springboard adapter or figured out which wires needed to be crossed.

Got any EE's willing to experiment?

- cml

Posted by Toby on 12-07-2002 04:29 PM:

I don't like raining on someone's parade, but...

quote:
Originally posted by cml
You would have find schematics on each technology to figure this out.

Both are readily available. There's a big gotcha, though: power.

quote:
Even though they are the same connector, there may be differences such as what pin provides voltage, in/out etc.

There are definitely some differences. Handspring only used PCMCIA connectors because they're cheap and accessible. They used it to extend the bus of the dragonball. To really implement PCMCIA would require at least controllers and some decent voltage stepping (not to mention a supplementary power supply).

quote:
And yes, hacks would have to be applied and drivers would need to be developed.

Yep.

quote:
not exactly as straight forward as everyone thinks, although it could be pulled off if someone took the time to figure out the schematics and made a PC Card to Springboard adapter or figured out which wires needed to be crossed.

Got any EE's willing to experiment?

Once they really grokked the differences between the two, I can't imagine any wanting to invest the time into it. Not much return for the time investment. The Springboard-CF adapter came about because it was a relatively simple passive adapter for another relatively low-power item (CF memory). There didn't seem to be anyone willing to take it further into CF peripherals (there was little motivation considering that SB had nearly all the bases covered already), so I really can't see someone without a specific application and a guaranteed return giving it a try.

Posted by edgenut on 12-12-2002 11:58 PM:

The PC card does fit in the Springboard slot if you be careful to not bend the pins! Power was my main concern and I can get access to Springboard development info at HS.

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Posted by cml on 12-13-2002 12:08 PM:

If you come up with anything, let us know! It would be awesome if I could use my 802.11b card from my laptop in my Neo.

- cml

Posted by Toby on 12-13-2002 03:07 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by edgenut
The PC card does fit in the Springboard slot if you be careful to not bend the pins!

Just to be clear, I never said it wouldn't fit physically. That's the least of the issues.

quote:
Power was my main concern and I can get access to Springboard development info at HS.

Power should be your main concern. Even if you're capable of writing drivers, you'll still need to figure out how to step up the maximum 100mA output of the springboard slot.

Posted by JohnKes on 12-13-2002 11:19 PM:

The connectors are the same but the pins are re-arranged. You won't be able to communicate with a PCMCIA no matter what you try.

Posted by Gambit on 12-20-2002 06:24 AM:

It's kinda sad too since the PCMCIA support has been present since the original Dragonball processor . Sure would have been nice if someone had implemented the interface/application to make it work...

Posted by edgenut on 03-31-2003 10:26 PM:

Sorry I can't do any testing now..I gave my old Visor to someone

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