>I typed this into DigiKey and found only one DIN connector.  It
>was straight out from the PCB and had two rows of 32 pins.  That
>doesn't sound like what you're talking about since you want a right
>angle connector if I understand it correctly.  Can you give me a
>pointer to the datasheet for the exact
>connector you would like this board to take?

Howard has already done this, providing a link to the Mouser page. It sounds
like you found the half length version at Digikey.


>I guess this would take up 6 columns of pads on the right side of
>the board. Three for the connector itself, and another three to
>wire to from on the board.

Could do it that way, but I always do it on the reverse of the PCB, using
the pin end to wrap the wire around.


>> http://www.jrmiller.demon.co.uk/products/mod96.html has a picture of a
>> typical Eurocard, with the DIN connector pads on the right hand end (the
>> area marked PL on the silk screen).
>
>I noticed that doesn't show the connector itself.  I assume its right
angle,
>but can't tell from the picture whether it would be male or female.

Yes, the card mount one is always a right angle with pins, and the backplane
always a straight with sockets. The connector body is keyed by its shape so
they will not mate in the wrong orientation.


>> As these pads are on a 0.1" x 0.1" grid if someone wants to fit a pin
>> header to connect to ribbon cable IDC connectors, these same holes suit
>> that purpose.
>
>That's a good point which helps justify the rather large board area for
this
>feature.  Wouter could fit 2 or 3 of his connectors onto the same pad area,
>plus many other connectors with .1" pin pitch become possible.
>
>How important is it to have all 3 rows or would 2 rows of 32 be sufficient
>for this purpose?  I can't see this board requiring that much I/O.  After
>all, there are only 100 uncommitted nets on the prototype area and the PIC
>only has 28 pins total.

You really need to do all three rows if you wish to provide holes on 0.1" x
0.1" pitch, as there are two variations of the connector which have two rows
of pins. One version is the 3 row connector body with the centre row
missing, and the other is a narrower one with only two rows. I would be
tempted to provide three rows of holes, but only bring out the two nearest
the edge of the PCB to pads as that is the form of the second connector
above, but if people insist on using the other one they can fit it, or the
three row version.


>> a Eurocard would also fit the sort of use you envisage - one off
>> projects that would be installed somewhere. Having a one off type CPU
>> card that could go in a development system consisting of a Eurocard
>> cardcage would be real useful.
>
>I see what you're saying.  I guess these things are more popular in Europe.
>They might be more popular here if they weren't called "Eurocard".  Whoever
>came up with that failed marketing 101.

<VBG> I think you may fine that compatible ones are available in certain
marketing areas of the USA, in specific markets of rack mount gear, unless
the VME style card has the market share. However if you wish to market in
Europe then being able to say it is Eurocard form factor and connector
compatible will help you. Guess this depends on how big you see your market.

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