Dock Connector
Encyclopedia
A dock connector is a connector used to attach a mobile electronic device simultaneously to multiple external resources. The dock connector will typically carry a variety of signals and power, through a single connector, to simplify the process of docking the mobile device. A dock connector may be embedded in a mechanical fixture used to support or align the mobile device or may be at the end of a cable.
The dock connector was originally associated with laptops, but other mobile devices use the concept.
, serial
, parallel
, and video ports from the laptop and supply power to it. Often these ports were available on the laptop itself, giving rise to the term "port replicator" for simpler docks. More complicated docks are usually termed docking station
s, but both will have some sort of docking connector. As laptop interfaces evolved, so did the functions carried by the dock connector. The keyboard and serial ports changed to PS/2 connector
for the keyboard and mouse. Now, USB
is almost universal and DVI is common. eSATA and FireWire ports are also carried through the docking connector.
The Apple dock connector is a proprietary
30-pin connector that is common on most models of iPod
s, and all models of the iPhone
and iPad2. The iPod shuffle
does not have a 30-pin dock connector. Originally, the Apple dock connector carried USB, FireWire, some controls and line-level audio outputs. As the iPod evolved, so did the signals in the dock connector. Video was added to the connector. FireWire was phased out of the iPods, which led to a discontinuity in usage of the dock connector. Older implementations of the dock connector may have been using the FireWire power pin to supply power, and cannot charge later iPods and iPhone 4s or the iPad, requiring an after market adapter to allow charging.
The simplest form of the dock connector today takes the form of a simple cable with the dock connector on one end and a USB connector on the other. This cable only has the USB signals in the dock connector, but is sufficient to synchronize and charge the devices. At the other end of the spectrum, the dock connector is used to completely merge the Apple devices into a variety of accessories, both mechanically and electrically.
Because of the popularity of Apple's iPod, many third parties have used the dock connector interface for accessories. This includes many variations of external speakers, including stereo systems and clock radios. Automotive accessories for the iPod and iPhone are numerous and include charging cradles, FM transmitters for playing audio through the car's speakers and a full GPS receiver for the iPhone. There are also original and aftermarket cables with dock connectors for direct integration with the car's audio system and controls.
In the case of both Apple and third-party devices, it is often necessary that the iPod or iPhone be held upright while plugged into the device. Because this can potentially subject the 30-pin connector or corresponding port to strain and damage, an insert, specially fitted to both the Apple device and the standard connector well, is used to stabilize the connection. The adapter, a slot in which allows the dock connector access to the corresponding port on the iPhone or iPod, holds the Apple device immobile and provides a guide for safe, snug-fitting installation and extraction. Apple produces 20 different dock inserts, each fitted to the form factor of a specific device and each numbered (1 through 20) to indicate the particular model it fits.
The dock connector was originally associated with laptops, but other mobile devices use the concept.
Laptop dock connector
Docking connectors for laptop computers are usually embedded into a mechanical device that supports and aligns the laptop and sports various single function ports and a power source that are aggregated into the docking connector. Early docking connectors would carry keyboardKeyboard (computing)
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
, serial
Serial port
In computing, a serial port is a serial communication physical interface through which information transfers in or out one bit at a time...
, parallel
Parallel port
A parallel port is a type of interface found on computers for connecting various peripherals. In computing, a parallel port is a parallel communication physical interface. It is also known as a printer port or Centronics port...
, and video ports from the laptop and supply power to it. Often these ports were available on the laptop itself, giving rise to the term "port replicator" for simpler docks. More complicated docks are usually termed docking station
Docking station
A Docking station or port replicator or dock provides a simplified way of “plugging-in” an electronic device such as a laptop computer to common peripherals...
s, but both will have some sort of docking connector. As laptop interfaces evolved, so did the functions carried by the dock connector. The keyboard and serial ports changed to PS/2 connector
PS/2 connector
The PS/2 connector is a 6-pin Mini-DIN connector used for connecting some keyboards and mice to a PC compatible computer system. Its name comes from the IBM Personal System/2 series of personal computers, with which it was introduced in 1987...
for the keyboard and mouse. Now, USB
Universal Serial Bus
USB is an industry standard developed in the mid-1990s that defines the cables, connectors and protocols used in a bus for connection, communication and power supply between computers and electronic devices....
is almost universal and DVI is common. eSATA and FireWire ports are also carried through the docking connector.
Apple 30-pin dock connector
Vendor lock-in
In economics, vendor lock-in, also known as proprietary lock-in or customer lock-in, makes a customer dependent on a vendor for products and services, unable to use another vendor without substantial switching costs...
30-pin connector that is common on most models of iPod
IPod
iPod is a line of portable media players created and marketed by Apple Inc. The product line-up currently consists of the hard drive-based iPod Classic, the touchscreen iPod Touch, the compact iPod Nano, and the ultra-compact iPod Shuffle...
s, and all models of the iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
and iPad2. The iPod shuffle
IPod shuffle
The iPod Shuffle is a digital audio player designed and marketed by Apple Inc. It is the smallest model in Apple's iPod family, and was the first to use flash memory...
does not have a 30-pin dock connector. Originally, the Apple dock connector carried USB, FireWire, some controls and line-level audio outputs. As the iPod evolved, so did the signals in the dock connector. Video was added to the connector. FireWire was phased out of the iPods, which led to a discontinuity in usage of the dock connector. Older implementations of the dock connector may have been using the FireWire power pin to supply power, and cannot charge later iPods and iPhone 4s or the iPad, requiring an after market adapter to allow charging.
The simplest form of the dock connector today takes the form of a simple cable with the dock connector on one end and a USB connector on the other. This cable only has the USB signals in the dock connector, but is sufficient to synchronize and charge the devices. At the other end of the spectrum, the dock connector is used to completely merge the Apple devices into a variety of accessories, both mechanically and electrically.
Because of the popularity of Apple's iPod, many third parties have used the dock connector interface for accessories. This includes many variations of external speakers, including stereo systems and clock radios. Automotive accessories for the iPod and iPhone are numerous and include charging cradles, FM transmitters for playing audio through the car's speakers and a full GPS receiver for the iPhone. There are also original and aftermarket cables with dock connectors for direct integration with the car's audio system and controls.
In the case of both Apple and third-party devices, it is often necessary that the iPod or iPhone be held upright while plugged into the device. Because this can potentially subject the 30-pin connector or corresponding port to strain and damage, an insert, specially fitted to both the Apple device and the standard connector well, is used to stabilize the connection. The adapter, a slot in which allows the dock connector access to the corresponding port on the iPhone or iPod, holds the Apple device immobile and provides a guide for safe, snug-fitting installation and extraction. Apple produces 20 different dock inserts, each fitted to the form factor of a specific device and each numbered (1 through 20) to indicate the particular model it fits.
See also
- Docking stationDocking stationA Docking station or port replicator or dock provides a simplified way of “plugging-in” an electronic device such as a laptop computer to common peripherals...
- PDMIPDMIPDMI is an interconnection standard for portable media players. It has been developed by CEA as ANSI/CEA-2017-A standard Common Interconnection for Portable Media Players in February 2010...
, a portable device interconnection standard from CEAConsumer Electronics AssociationThe Consumer Electronics Association is a standards and trade organization for the consumer electronics industry in the United States. The Consumer Electronics Association is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $173 billion U.S...
External links
- Apple iPod, iPhone (2g, 3g), iPad dock connector pinout and interfacing
- http://www.allpinouts.org/index.php/Apple_iPod,_iPad_and_iPhone_dock—Apple connector pinout
- http://nuxx.net/wiki/iPod_Dock_Connector—Apple connector sources and specifications