Jim, First off the Search function in the Knowledge Center is working properly. I had no problem finding all of the references to Firewire or ExpressCard.
The reason you might not have found anything is that there is only one reference to ExpressCards in the Knowledge Center and it is in the KB article "Selecting High Performance Firewire Cards for FlexRadio Transceivers" http://kc.flex-radio.com/KnowledgebaseArticle50179.aspx 1394b (800 MB) Firewire adapters are "supposed" to be compatible with the 1394a (400 MB) standard. I have seen references on the Internet where they are not even when using the correct bilingual cable. Refer to this KB article "The Difference Between the Firewire Standards and Compatibility" http://kc.flex-radio.com/KnowledgebaseArticle50134.aspx. Both the 1394a (6-pin) and the 1394b (9-pin) interfaces support sending power over the FireWire cable. The external power supply is to ensure that the voltages specified by the 1394a/b standards are met. If you are not using power over the FireWire cable, then using the external power source is usually not required. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions to be sure. As you noted, there are two sizes of ExpressCard module: one is 34 mm wide (ExpressCard/34) and the other is 54 mm wide (ExpressCard/54). Both modules are 75 mm long and 5 mm high. Host systems can provide either a Universal (54 mm) slot or a 34 mm slot. A Universal slot, as the name implies, will accept either an ExpressCard/54 module or an ExpressCard/34 module. An ExpressCard/34 slot will only accept an ExpressCard/34 module unless an extender is used which would put the ExpressCard/54 module outside of the host system. There seems to be a lot more of the 34 mm type than the 56 mm variety. Also, there is no direct performance difference between an ExpressCard/34 and an ExpressCard/54 module. In fact, both modules use the same 26 contact connector, so your computer is not even aware of which size of module has been inserted. The important thing, IMHO, is to get a card that is *not* a combo adapter (has USB ports on it) and has either the Lucent or IT chipsets. Other cards will work, bit I have had the best success with both of these ship sets. My 34 mm ExpressCard is some no-name brand with a TI chipset (I don't have it with me, so I can't say which one it is). It works fine and as long as you place the cable in a manner that it doesn't get hit. I too would have preferred the 54 mm card, but I could not find one that was available with the TI chip set. -Tim -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, October 27, 2008 2:23 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [Flexradio] Firewire ExpressCard Advice GM, I apologize if this has been answered before. I did quite a bit of poking around in the knowledge base (search engine not working) and in the various forums, and I did not come across this question. I am planning to dedicate my snappy laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile T7500 Processor, 3G DDR2 RAM) for use with my Flex-5000A. I need to purchase an ExpressCard 54 Firewire adapter. I can only seem to find two models that might be suitable: SIIG 2-PORT Firewire 800 XTERASYS E94A IEEE 1394 ExpressCard 2 1. I am looking for opinions / experience as to which might be a better choice, 2. Any opinion as to why the Xterasys requires an external power supply and the SIIG does not. Is this a performance advantage? There are many, many choices if I would select the 34 mm adapter, but for mechanical stability, I’d prefer to use the 54mm. Thanks for your help. Jim, WS6X _______________________________________________ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List [email protected] http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kb.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ _______________________________________________ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List [email protected] http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kb.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/
