> > > > > 68 user I/O signals on an optional 100-pin ICD connector > > > > > > > > So the idea is the customer buys a connector and solders it on? > > > > IIRC the connector is more expensive than one would expect, > > > > but leaving off a connector on a $1500 board doesn't sound right. > > > > Customers may not like the idea of risking their warranty by > > > > modifying the board. > > > > > > I don't know. IDC Connectors are something everyone who > > > does some electronics has.. in the dozens. And they > > > are not expensive at all. At least not compared to > > > what other connectors cost. You can get one here in > > > Switzerland the cheap ones for something around 2-5 CHF > > > (1:1 USD) of 2x50 in single quantities. > > > > The common standard inexpensive IDC connectors do not fit the > > hole pattern on the board. Once you add the $30 connector > > it provides the standard IDC connector for a ribbon cable. > > Oh.. right. I thought they were straight and not > staggered. Then i have to agree with Dieter, a connector > should be included with the board, though not soldered > in (for those who want to have another connector)
I'm not lobbying one way or the other on this, just pointing out that some customers may be unhappy if a connector is left off a $1500 board. Leaving out something very expensive, like if there were a 3rd big FPGA chip, makes sense, but leaving out a connector seems cheap, and "penny wise pound foolish". If the connector is included, it should be soldered on at the factory with everything else. Some users will not be experienced in soldering, and could lift a pad or something. The gender of the connector isn't critical. IDC connectors are available in both genders, and the user can easily make a custom ribbon cable using a common vise. If they do manage to screw it up, they can just cut off a cm of cable and try again, and they've only ruined a cheap connector, not the expensive board. I don't know what percentage of user will have a use for the connector, especially with the hirose connector available. It just feels wrong to leave it off. > > I still don't know why the $30 connector was chosen rather than > > the cheap (US $0.40-$1.20 quantity 1) connectors. Perhaps due to > > board real estate, or signal routing issues? Too late now. > > Good question. IMHO signal routing is with straigh pins simpler > and real estate doesn't fit either, because the pitch is 2.54mm > with all pins, it's just that the middle rows are moved by 1.27mm, > so the connector uses about the same space. I didn't say they were great reasons. :-) Just the only reasons I could think of. _______________________________________________ Open-graphics mailing list [email protected] http://lists.duskglow.com/mailman/listinfo/open-graphics List service provided by Duskglow Consulting, LLC (www.duskglow.com)
