Power your laptop/notebooks PCMCIA card without carrying bulky mains power supplies (PSU).

The PCMCIA port on a notebook/laptop computer is restricted to providing a power supply of 100ma compared to the 500ma available from an in-built USB port or powered hub. This may well not be enough for devices such as DVD Burners or ADSL modems when plugged into an un-powered PCMCIA card.

This restriction can be overcome using the USB Power Supply Cable. The USB Power Supply Cable simply plugs into the existing USB port on your laptop/notebook and connects to the DC power input jack on the PCMCIA card to provide sufficient power to the external devices.

PC Card standards Background
In 1985, the standardizing activity of PC card technology began with the Japan Electronic Industry Development Association (JEIDA). The organization was formed to promote memory cards, personal computers and other portable information products.
The Personal Computer Memory Card International Association PCMCIA) was founded in 1989 by a small group of companies that wanted to standardize memory cards for the classic reasons behind standardization - multiple sources, lower and shared risks, and larger markets. CardBay Ð Next generation of PC card standard PCMCIA in association with JEIDA has worldwide support from more than 500 member companies for its PC card and represents the culmination of various improvements to earlier releases of memory and I/O cards for PCs. The PC card standard encompasses both 16-bit PCMCIA cards and 32-bit CardBus cards for laptops/notebooks. This ensures backward compatibility in the PC card specification.
From the physical specification aspect, the PC Card standard defines a 68-pin interface between the peripheral card and the PC card socket into which it gets inserted. It also defines three standard PC card sizes, called Type I, Type II, and Type III. The difference between Type I, II, and III cards are the mechanical dimensions of the PC Card. All PC Cards measure the same length and width, roughly the size of a credit card. Where they differ is in thickness. Type I, the smallest form factor, often used for memory cards, measures 3.3mm in thickness. Type II, available for those peripherals requiring taller components such as LAN cards and modems, measures 5mm thick. Type III is the tallest form factor and measures 10.5 mm thick. Type III PC Cards can support small rotating disks and other tall components. Whereas, the electrical specification defines three basic classes of PC card: 16-bit PCMCIA cards, 32-bit CardBus PC cards, and newly defined CardBay PC cards.Defined are characteristics of each interface including power, signaling, configuration, and timing requirements.
CardBay is the next generation PC Card Standard being developed by the PCMCIA organization. The new CardBay PC Card standard incorporates the popular Universal Serial Bus (USB) into the PC Card format as the migration path for the most popular add-in card solutions. Just like CardBus and the original 16-bit PC Card standards, CardBay enables plug-in functions to become tightly integrated within a mobile device, such as a notebook/laptop computer or PDA. CardBay standard complements the existing PCI-based PC card technology by allowing the same connector to bring the popular USB serial interface into the PC card form factor. CardBay essentially substitutes USB for the existing PC card interface while retaining the CardBus physical connector and PC card format with USB specification supported. Potential uses of CardBay include USB-based advanced wired and wireless modems; security devices for fast secure encryption/decryption and authentication; and bulk memory devices, such as USB-based memory card-to-PC adapters for video cameras and media players. The desktop industry is moving towards lower and lower profiles, and are currently looking at the PC Card form factor for future adoption. Cardbus and Cardbay technology may soon be common place in the PC as well as in the Notebook/Laptop. CardBay uses will fall right in line with consumer desktop needs at home, as well as commercial uses at work. CardBay is also seen as the next enhancement for mobile markets and will reside along with the current 16 bit PCMCIA card and 32-bit CardBus card technologies. The goals of CardBay technology announced are as follows:
ò Retain ease of use and operating system plug and playcapabilities
ò Opens up a whole new market for USB-based product inmobile devices.
ò Maintain backward electrical and form-factor compatibilitywith 32 bits CardBus and 16 bit PC card technology
ò Provide a growth path for PC Card technology
ò Provide for easily porting desktop technology implementationsto mobile PC card implementation.
ò Open up doors for PC Card uses in the desktop environment as well as notebook/laptops
ò Build on the software and power management base ofUSB specification.