PCMCIA.org - Personal Computer Memory Card International Association
Title
Official Home Page for the PCMCIA Trade Association
Description
What is PCMCIA?
PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) is an international standards body and trade association with over 100 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 PCMCIA. 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.
Later, PCMCIA realized the need for higher speed applications such as multimedia and high-speed networking. From this realization came the CardBus 32-bit interface and Zoomed Video Specifications which allow blazing speed in such applications as MPEG video and 100 Mbit Ethernet. Along with these speed enhancements, PCMCIA continued to add to its specification to enhance compatibility and allow for such other mobile-oriented concerns as 3.3V operation and Power Management.
PCMCIA promotes the interoperability of PC Cards not only in mobile computers, but in such diverse products as digital cameras, cable TV, set-top boxes, and automobiles. As the variety of products that need modular peripheral expansion has grown, so has the diversity of the capabilities of modular peripherals. As such, PCMCIA has recently changed its mission statement: "To develop standards for modular peripherals and promote their worldwide adoption."
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