PCMCIA network cards are adapters that plug into a computer’s PCMCIA bus slot, commonly used to upgrade built-in network interfaces in laptops. Ethernet is the most common technology used. PCMCIA developed the initial standards for PCMCIA peripheral cards, including the 16-bit PC Card and 32-bit CardBus®. In the mid-2000s, the ExpressCard® emerged, which is based on USB and PCI Express® technology, providing higher performance than previous standards. The USB Implementers Forum acquired PCMCIA and its technologies in 2010.
A PCMCIA network card is a network interface that plugs into a PCMCIA bus slot on a computer. It can be a wireless network adapter or a wired one with an external cable for network connection. Ethernet is the most common networking technology implemented in these adapters. They are often used with laptops to upgrade built-in network interfaces to the latest technology. They can also be used with other portable computing devices that have PCMCIA slots, such as notebooks and netbooks.
PCMCIA is the acronym for Personal Computer Memory Card International Association. It is the non-profit trade association that developed the initial standards for PCMCIA peripheral cards. In 1990, the first PCMCIA specification specifically for flash memory cards was released. This 16-bit technology was known as PC Card and supported two form factors, known as Type 1 and Type 2 cards. Type 3 cards were introduced in late 1992 and the technology transitioned to an interface 32-bit bus master called CardBus® in 1995.
The Type 2 and Type 3 specifications provided sufficient functionality to support a PCMCIA network card. Several 10/100 Megabits per second (Mbps) PCMCIA Ethernet adapters were released by vendors during the 1990s. However, network bandwidth was often limited by the bus speed of both PC Card and CardBus® implementations. Many laptops included both CardBus® and PC Card slots as standards evolved. Both standards were generally supported by all major laptop operating systems.
In the mid-2000s, a new PCMCIA specification called ExpressCard® emerged. This standard included the benefits of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus technology. By 2008, a large number of new laptops and notebooks shipped with ExpressCard® slots instead of CardBus®. Its performance increase enabled the development of a PCMCIA network adapter for Gigabit Ethernet technology. Many wireless ExpressCard® adapters have also been produced.
Version 2.0 of the PCMCIA ExpressCard® standard was released in early 2009. This specification is no longer compatible with CardBus® or PC Card. It is completely based on USB and PCI Express® technology, providing higher performance than version 1.0. At least one vendor in late 2009 announced a PCMCIA network adapter for fiber-based Gigabit Ethernet. The same vendor also provides a fiber-based 100 Mbps network adapter for the ExpressCard® bus. Both standard form factors allow ExpressCard® devices to be inserted and removed at will while they are turned on and active.
The non-profit USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) was significantly involved in the creation of the ExpressCard® standard. As a USB technology support and compliance organization, it acquired PCMCIA and its technologies in early 2010. The integration of these technologies should help streamline the development process for mobile computer peripherals. Following the acquisition, the PCMCIA name will no longer be associated with the products.
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