ExpressCard Plugs in New I/O Program

Technology trade group PCMCIA launched new initiative Friday to rapidly
expand its ExpressCard hardware standard.

The San Jose, Calif.-based non-profit launched a new compliance program
for the high-performance I/O module standard and demonstrated a handful of
prototypes at this week’s CeBIT show in Germany.


The modules are being
designed to let consumers install flash memory, storage, security,
multimedia, and communications through the hot plug-n-play and
auto-configure technology for notebook, desktop or other compliant systems.

Formerly known as NEWCARD, the standard is the fruit of a coalition of
system OEMs, card manufacturers and connector and component manufacturers
including Dell, HP, IBM, Intel, Lexar Media, Microsoft, SCM Microsystems and
Texas Instruments.


The PCMCIA also has a specification development and
co-publishing relationship with the Japan Electronics and Information
Technology Industries Association (JEITA) covering PC Card and Smart Media
technologies.

PCMCIA chairman and staff mobile system architect for Intel Brad Saunders said more and more companies are looking at
ExpressCard technology to address the growing need to transfer data between
several disparate platforms.

“A wide range of applications are being developed to support the
expansion needs of both consumer and business computer users,” Saunders in a
statement. “This display [at CeBIT] is a clear signal that industry momentum
is continuing to grow.”

The compliance program requires manufacturers to undergo extensive
compatibility testing, including self-testing and interoperability workshops
where modules are tested in both desktop and mobile systems.

Manufacturers
can also use test houses that offer support for both phases of the
compatibility testing. All testing is under the umbrella of PCMCIA.

“This new compliance program is designed to give the consumer the
confidence that they can buy systems or modules bearing the ExpressCard
brand and know that they are compatible,” Saunders said.

Unveiled in September 2003, the interface directly connects
to chipsets removing the need for a bridge component. The technology
supports both the PCI Express architecture and Universal Serial Bus (USB)
2.0 standards in a single slot.


ExpressCard modules will be available in two
sizes: 34mm and 54mm (by 75mm x 5mm) and are being touted as a replacement
for CardBus, the current standard for PC Cards.

Products based on ExpressCard are expected to become generally available
starting in late 2004, after PCI Express-based systems hit the marketplace
in volume, the PCMIA said.

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