ExpressCard Modules
Module Applications Explained
So what can ExpressCard modules do for your customer? Below is an analysis of the currently available ExpressCard module functions (and a glimpse at what may be coming in the future).
Multimedia
1394A/B (a.k.a. FireWire 400/800): 1394 or FireWire technology (also known as iLink), gives your customers a speedy connection from their computer to their FireWire-enabled video camera. This enables users to move their home videos into their notebooks for video editing. 1394A/FireWire400 offers transfer speeds of up to 400 Mbps. 1394B/FireWire 800 offers transfer speeds of up to 800 Mbps. Either can also be used as a high-speed connection to an external backup drive. FireWire 800 is approximately 70% faster than USB 2.0.
Small Memory Card Readers: If you customer has a digital camera, odds are they will need a small memory card reader to get their pictures transferred into their computer for uploading, printing, or editing. ExpressCard modules are available which can handle CompactFlash, MMC cards, SD Cards, xD cards, MemoryStick, and MemoryStick Pro.
Wireless Internet Connections (WWAN)
EV-DO Modems: One of most popular ExpressCard applications, 1x Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO or 1xEV-DO), is a wireless radio broadband data standard adopted by many CDMA mobile phone service providers throughout the world. An EV-DO ExpressCard module provides wireless internet access to a notebook computer with air interface speeds of up to 3.1 Mbit/s.
HDSPA Modems: High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) is a new mobile telephony protocol. An HSDPA ExpressCard module provides up to 14.4 Mbit/s per cell in the downlink and 2 Mbit/s in the uplink per cell. Once again, this will be a popular ExpressCard module as notebook users seek connectivity through their mobile service provider.
Serial ATA (SATA or eSATA)
Serial ATA: A SATA ExpressCard module is the fastest way to provide an external hard drive backup/restore system to your customer. This is the next -generation storage technology, replacing parallel ATA technology. Serial ATA was introduced at 150Mbytes/sec, with a roadmap already planned to 600 Mbytes/sec.
TV Tuners
TV Tuners: With an aerial antenna, cable tv, or connection to a DVD player or VCR, your customers can use ExpressCard modules to watch live TV or full speed video playback on their computer. They can watch and record their favorite television shows, and in most cases, use the technology as a DVR.
Networking
Gigabit Ethernet (GbE): Gigabit Ethernet is a term describing various technologies for transmitting Ethernet packets at a rate of a gigabit per second, as defined by the IEEE 802.3-2005 standard. Gigabit Ethernet is the next iteration of the ubiquitous Ethernet local area networking (LAN) standard, increasing the speed to 1000 Mbit/s. ExpressCard modules can deliver support for this emerging corporate networking standard.
Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g): Wi-Fi is a brand which describes the underlying technology of wireless local area networks (WLAN) based on the IEEE 802.11 specifications. Anyone with a Wi-Fi ExpressCard module in their notebook can connect to the Internet when in proximity of an access point, or hotspot. Hotspots can range from a single room to many square miles of overlapping hotspots. ExpressCard modules will soon provide this connectivity.
Bluetooth: Bluetooth is a specification for wireless personal area networks (PANs), also known as IEEE 802.15.1. A Bluetooth ExpressCard module provides a way to connect and exchange information between a computer and devices like personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, other notebooks, PCs, printers, digital cameras and video game via a secure, globally unlicensed short range radio frequency. ExpressCard modules will soon provide this connectivity.
The Future of ExpressCard Modules
In the future, we expect to see a vast array of applications available via a simple, small ExpressCard module. Soon, we expect to see applications such as multiple monitor support, where your customer would be able to add a second or even third monitor to supplement or take the place of their notebook's often smaller screen when docked. Other applications slated for future introduction include support for nearly every popular Wireless Internet protocol (WiMax, etc.) and HDTV.
Most major notebook manufacturers and PC Card developers are moving to the ExpressCard platform due to its ease of use and performance. You can be assured that ExpressCard technology will give your customer the reassurance that they can buy a notebook and add new functionality over time. They also can avoid the addition of external devices and cables as demanded in today's world.
Additional Resources
|
ExpressCard Notebooks
Back to ExpressCard Modules