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RE: smos cardpc

On Sat, 18 Apr 1998, Jesse Montrose wrote:
> > From: R. Paul McCarty [mailto:]
> > On Sat, 18 Apr 1998, Jesse Montrose wrote:
> >
> > > Hmm, I noticed the pc/104 setup in the hackman, what was the
> > problem with
> > > the edge connector?
> >
> > I think we're on the same page, we just don't know it.  I just meant to
> > clarify that to use the SMOS card you need the SMOS credit card sized CPU
> > _and_ (in the case of the Hackman) an intelec pc/104 carrier board, and
> > of course your flash drive, if that's what you are using.
> 
> Forgive my ignorance, but what does the carrier board do?

The carrier board provides a socket for the SMOS card, generates 3.3v and
5v signals for the SMOS card, does some advanced power management to
protect the SMOS card, and gives you standard ribbon connections for
peripherals like an ide drive, keyboard, etc. It also gives you a pc/104
8bit and 16bit expansion plug to add other pc/104 boards.

> > > If the card has video onboard, and can be extended to support
pcmcia,
> > > couldn't you get away with just the cardpc and storage?
> >
> > sure.
> 
> But you still need the carrier board?
> 
> I had an image of the cardpc (with the simpler 236pin connector) with the
> PCMCIA board, storage, and not much else (I found this in their faq)
> 
>                               PCMCIA-compatible cards can be used by
> attaching
>                               an external PCMCIA interface using the ISA
> bus. A
>                               PCMCIA expansion board (SEK0630) and
>                               SPC8282 (PCMCIA controller chip) are
> available.

Okay, I finally found the SEK0630.  What it sounds like is that this is a
carrier board _and_ pcmcia adapter for the SMOS card(or equivalent credit
card sized cpu).  So, it sounds like with this pcmcia expansion card, and
the SMOS card you could have a complete computer, but you probably still
need some adapter cables for the SEK0630, but they may be included.

> > > Do you regret the cardpc because of the cost?
> >
> > yes, I think the credit card sized cpu was a bit too expensive, and don't
> > get me wrong, I really like it, but I could have saved a few hundred
> > dollars by getting a regular pc/104 card with the cpu soldered
> > onto the board.
> > Actually, after I've thought about it some more I don't really regret
> > buying the SMOS card and carrier, I just wish they were cheaper. :)
> 
> So you ended up with something the same size anyway.. I get it.  Does it at
> least have a power advantage?  Or does it use the same as a pc/104 unit?
> 
> Did you buy it directly from them?  How much did you pay?

The carrier board from Parvus which I am using was $200 and the SMOS cpu
was $800. It uses 2.5watts idle, up to 4watts when active.  There were
also extra cables for the carrier card to add parallel ports, serial
ports, etc. $100.

-Paul

R. Paul McCarty / DARS Coordinator /  / x52059
317 Lattimore Hall, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627
Computers don't make mistakes;what they do,they do on purpose.-Dale/KOTH

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