This is my first post with links and info and stuff so please don't mind the bad formatting or other errors.
I bought a docking station a bit back and tore it down; I'm not very impressed but I'm sure we can make something of it.
Dock:
Connector and IR:
Connector - Top:
Connector - Bottom:
Mainboard - Top:
Mainboard - Bottom:
As you can see on this unit there isn't any HDMI however the board was made for it. Also of note is the HDMI pins on the ribbon cable.
I've checked and the nuvoTon (W78E052DFG) is an 8052 with 8KB flash and 256 bytes ram.
The audio portion seems to have a filter set on it however I don't believe it's amplified.
I have not been able to determine if there is or isn't USB on the ribbon cable or connector though there's no sign of it on the board.
Another point is I've switched to a custom rom and it no longer detects the dock. I noticed before switching that there is a service that watches for the dock and I'm guessing sends a signal to android to start the media app on dock. Virtuous XooM does not in any way detect connection.
Communication with the 8052 is through serial and the kernel source shows info about it. I haven't been able to find any reference to USB. if USB is present I'd expect it to be the pair near pin 30.
(All images taken with the A500 camera)
------- New info: (copied from later post)
This is the dock pinout as seen by the tablet (other devices may have different pins connected)
1-10 no connection
11 - unknown - traced to Q9 near IR connector on dock but unable to find past there (2v from tablet)
12 no connection
13 - audio connect of some sort - appears to be connected to left channel (after capacitor) through a 1k resistor
14 - Right audio - decoupled with 100uF
15 - Left audio - decoupled with 100uF like right channel
16 - Audio ground - not connected to main ground
17 no connection
18-20 +12V
21-30 HDMI - NO signals connected except GND at 21,24,27,30
31 - unknown - 3.3v from tablet
32 - TXD pin on 8052 through a level converter
33 - RXD pin on 8052 through a level converter
34 - unknown - 0v - 3.3v when dock unpowered but tablet connected so this may be a dock detection
35 - connected to 33 on tablet side
36 - connected to 32 on tablet side
37-40 no connection
These are all assumptions based on zebra cable layout so are quite probably wrong. They are also numbered based on the ribbon cable and I haven't made a conversion between ribbon cable and connector.
A voltage readings were done with an uncalibrated DMM on an oscilloscope (which seems to be .2v off or more). If i mark "from tablet" it's because it's not live when tablet not present and live even if power is disconnected from base.
1 case ground 0v
2-7 serial port(0v across)
8-20 HDMI
21unknown 3.3v from tablet
22 unknown 2v from tablet
23 unknown 2v from tablet
24-25 audio - audio even when nothing plugged in 0v
26 audio ground 0v
27 unknown 2v from tablet
28 unknown 0v (3.3v when dock unpowered but tablet docked)
30-35 12.0V
37 unknown 0v
38-40 gnd
Audio pins are correct but I can't tell which channel is which without finding a mp3 with audio only on one side. I would also trust the HDMI pins as ballanced pairs with shield between running directly to the HDMI portion of the board does seem rather proving.
None of the pins really look like USB as they should remain at 0v until a device is plugged in. I'll test connecting a 1500 ohm resister to 3.3v while monitoring the pin under test and see if I can find a USB connection attempt that way. If that doesn't work, finding pins with 15k ohm to GND would also indicate USB and I can try connecting a device to those.
Just recieved mine today from Amazon (they went on sale, so I figured I'd bite). No HDMI is disappointing, but not a dealbreaker for me.
Oddly enough, my biggest complaint is that it doesn't come with it's own power cable. I was hoping to leave the dock hooked up at home, and be able to pack the (INCREDIBLY SHORT) A500 power adapter in my bag for when I go out. Looks like it's back to eBay for another...
Excuse my off-topic mini rant. The teardown is appreciated. Curious if you ever did find anything with the USB pins.
I've read there are 2 versions of this docking station, one with HDMI and another without. It seems a lot of sellers are advertising the HDMI version but when people receive it, they get the non-HDMI version instead. Seems it's a hit or miss if you buy it online, probably safer to buy it from a brick & motar store so you can verify which version you're actually getting.
Sorry for off-topic too, just wanted to warn those that are thinking of getting this docking station
Nice tear-down btw.
Any idea what the part number for the connector itself is ? I am interested in a custom dock setup and all I am concerned about its power, however I need to find the mating connector to integrate into it.
Any info is appreciated!
Jeff
Quality of the photo surprised me !
So, any more info on this? I am putting an a100 in my dash, and I would like to use the dock connector at some point. For now I'll just run the power and audio through their ports I guess, but I would like to simplify the install at some point.
If these things suck so much, hopefully the price will drop soon, and I'll feel comfortable buying one to take apart for experimenting myself.
Thanks!
endoracing said:
Any idea what the part number for the connector itself is ? I am interested in a custom dock setup and all I am concerned about its power, however I need to find the mating connector to integrate into it.
Any info is appreciated!
Jeff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There aren't any identifiable markings however I think I found the right connector by checking some of the vendors who make 'em. I'm almost positive the connector is: JAE - DD2 Series
This means that there's also a cable variant of the dock side connector, cool eh?
I have not measured the connector to see if the dimensions are correct but the pitch, count, offset appearance and overall appearance are perfect matches. Even the slits cut into the top of the tablet-side connector match what's in the drawings. Still not a guarantee, but good enough for me to buy a couple to see if they match.
Here are the digikey parts:
PCB connector - $7.67 in singles
Cable connector - $10.67 in singles
Acer make two docking station models:
LC.DCK0A.001 without hdmi http://www.aceronline.es/shop/docking-station-para-acer-iconia-tab-a500a100-lcdck0a001-p-3786.html
LC.DCK0A.002 with hdmi http://www.aceronline.es/shop/docking-station-para-acer-iconia-tab-a500a100-lcdck0a002-p-3787.html
HDJ80 said:
Acer make two docking station models:
LC.DCK0A.001 without hdmi
LC.DCK0A.002 with hdmi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perfect information. It seems that the 002 (HDMI) version has not been released in the US. It is not available on Acer's US site, nor do any of the US based online or B&M stores have it.
I'm definitely eager to see how this turns out. I'd love to know what each of the pins definitely is.
One assumes that the HDMI version is only required for the A100 series as the A500 already has full HDMI built in. Would the HDMI circuitry even work with an A500 in the dock? In fact, can you actually use the docks at all mismatched to the Iconia for which they were intended?
zardoz99 said:
One assumes that the HDMI version is only required for the A100 series as the A500 already has full HDMI built in. Would the HDMI circuitry even work with an A500 in the dock? In fact, can you actually use the docks at all mismatched to the Iconia for which they were intended?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't assume that at all... docs are designed to be left in place... so the purpose for the hdmi on the doc is so that you can keep it connected to your display all the time and not have to worry about plugging in the cable and the power... etc. where the doc satisfies both those needs. And I believe.. the hdmi doc for the a500 was available some time before the a100 was even released. (chk)
loialotter said:
Here are the digikey parts:
PCB connector - $7.67 in singles
Cable connector - $10.67 in singles
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks loialotter.
What's your confidence that pin 30-35 is actually 12V? Is is obvious (direct connection to the power port on the docking station)?
I will be buying one of those connectors (making a car dock) and want to be sure I won't be frying anything.
I will confirm if the connector fits and works in the A500 once I get the connector.
outsider787 said:
Thanks loialotter.
What's your confidence that pin 30-35 is actually 12V? Is is obvious (direct connection to the power port on the docking station)?
I will be buying one of those connectors (making a car dock) and want to be sure I won't be frying anything.
I will confirm if the connector fits and works in the A500 once I get the connector.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's direct connectivity between +12v on the power jack and pins 30-35 on the zebra cable. These are not the same numbers on the connector itself.
If you look on SJ100278.pdf (digikey has link to drawing) the pin numbers are there. Note that the connector is wider at the top (notches near 21 and 40 on the side guides if that makes sence).
Pin 18,19 and 20 are +12V. There's no block of GND pins like I was expecting, instead GND is connected to 3, 6, 21, 24, 27, 30, and the connector shield. Due to the pattern of the gnd contacts, i'm guessing they're the shielding ones for HDMI. The connector is rated for 1A power per pin which means you need to use at minimum 2 of them.
I still haven't seen anything resembling USB and noticed that the tablet only uses a 20 pin zebra cable to the connector board (power included though they may pass GND through the case).
Now that I have my proper electronics desk at least partly set up, I can look further into the connector.
outsider787 said:
Thanks loialotter.
What's your confidence that pin 30-35 is actually 12V? Is is obvious (direct connection to the power port on the docking station)?
I will be buying one of those connectors (making a car dock) and want to be sure I won't be frying anything.
I will confirm if the connector fits and works in the A500 once I get the connector.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's direct connectivity between +12v on the power jack and pins 30-35 on the zebra cable. These are not the same numbers on the connector itself.
If you look on SJ100278.pdf (digikey has link to drawing) the pin numbers are there. Note that the connector is wider at the top (notches near 21 and 40 on the side guides if that makes sence).
Pin 18,19 and 20 are +12V. There's no block of GND pins like I was expecting, instead GND is connected to 3, 6, 21, 24, 27, 30, and the connector shield. Due to the pattern of the gnd contacts, i'm guessing they're the shielding ones for HDMI. The connector is rated for 1A power per pin which means you need to use at minimum 2 of them.
I still haven't seen anything resembling USB and noticed that the tablet only uses a 20 pin zebra cable to the connector board (power included though they may pass GND through the case).
Now that I have my proper electronics desk at least partly set up, I can look further into the connector.
Every now and then you find things that make you just exclaim WTF at the top of your lungs.
The dock connector board located in the tablet does not appear to have HDMI signals on it. The zebra cable between it and the mainboard has 20 pins. 17-20 are +12V, 12-15 are GND. I'm having troubles doing continuity tests between any of the HDMI signal pairs and the other pins on the internal connector.
Bad news on the USB front, there is no 5V and all the USB pins internal to the tablet float at 0.067V disconnected and I don't see similar levels on any of the pins.
It's looking more and more like the dock was designed for a completely different product. Can someone over where the HDMI capable docks are available check their tablet internals and see if the connector board is any different. Alternatively can someone test one of the HDMI docks to see if it even works with their tablets.
I'm working through the tablet side right now, I'll take some pictures and document my findings in a little bit here.
------- New info:
This is the dock pinout as seen by the tablet (other devices may have different pins connected)
1-10 no connection
11 - unknown - traced to Q9 near IR connector on dock but unable to find past there (2v from tablet)
12 no connection
13 - audio connect of some sort - appears to be connected to left channel (after capacitor) through a 1k resistor
14 - Right audio - decoupled with 100uF
15 - Left audio - decoupled with 100uF like right channel
16 - Audio ground - not connected to main ground
17 no connection
18-20 +12V
21-30 HDMI - NO signals connected except GND at 21,24,27,30
31 - unknown - 3.3v from tablet
32 - TXD pin on 8052 through a level converter
33 - RXD pin on 8052 through a level converter
34 - unknown - 0v - 3.3v when dock unpowered but tablet connected so this may be a dock detection
35 - connected to 33 on tablet side
36 - connected to 32 on tablet side
37-40 no connection
That being said - anyone wana mod their tablets? I was thinking adding a tiny USB hub in where the USB cable runs and make a new dock connector that has USB on it (taking over for the stupid serial pins maybe). Would need a new series of docks (or mod boards for the docks)... maybe a silly idea though
----
Oh, also, is there anyone even interested in me reverse-engineering the serial protocol used for the IR control? I can probably do so with some time but it'll require me to reformat my tablet to factory as none of the other ones seem to support the dock.
:facepalm:. I bet they designed this port, initially, for their own proprietary means in a lab/repair environment, and said "Ya know, if we're gonna have this ugly port on the thing, may as well find something that the consumers would be able to use this for", thus coming up with the dock and only for syncing...
Acer UK store( http://store.acer.com/store/aceremea/en_GB/list/parentCategoryID.55934900/categoryID.56077100 ) claims that the HDMI version of the dock is only for the A100/A101 while the non-HDMI is only for A500/A501.
Power up tablet throught dock port
Anyone knows if it's possible to send a signal to power up (as if you push the power button) to power up the tablet?
I know that they have a powerbutton on the remote but i don't know how to do it to start it.
Thanks!
Related
see post #7
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2515344&postcount=7
What's in the box?
I would also be curious about the box content it comes with...
mbarabas said:
I would also be curious about the box content it comes with...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mbarabas, szerintem a csomagnak nem része a tv kábel, de ne legyen igazam, mert én meg akarom venni a pro-t
mbarabas, according to me for the packet not his part the TV cable, but not be true, because I want to buy it the pro
I'm sure I saw somewhere that it doesn't come in the box. I've just oredered one from Expansys.
Today is the last day of the Modaco offer if you type "http://mickey.modaco.com/expansys/getcode.php?email=" into your browser adding your email address after the "=" it will send you a £10 voucher. You need to order something else to push the price of the cable over £20 so I got a 1GB MicroSD.
So all in that's a the TV out cable and 1GB MicroSD card delivered for £14.19
HTC own website states that its optional, so its highly unlikely you'll get one in the box
My cable has arrived. I'll post the pinout when I get a chance to beep it out.
pin out
These are for the pins as viewed in the plug.
1 video out
5 video ground
2 audio right
6 audio left
11 audio ground
jwitham - thanks, updated first post!
Now does anyone know where you can buy the 11pin ExtUSB plugs from? I only seem to be able to find them on audio adaptors which, I guess, only have 3 wires connected.
I was watching unboxing video, there is not a TV cable in the box
not really what the post is after but might be useful for some people, here is the link to buy the full cable from expansys:
http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=170917
make one?
The HTC TV out cable cost too much! ($50)
Im gonna try my luck and make one.
Ebay sells 3in1 HTC ExtUSB adapters for about AU$15 shipped (it does say 5+6pins)
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=370079511111
and Dealextreme have Yellow+Red+White TV-out cable for a samsung phone for $5 shipped.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5122
Should be able to use the diagram in post#7 and get it to work.
anyone see a problem with this approach?
i heard that raphael detects video-out cable presense, so there probably should be some king of resistor or somthing like that... we need to check that.
JugglerLKR said:
i heard that raphael detects video-out cable presense, so there probably should be some king of resistor or somthing like that... we need to check that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeh, to check resistance between video out and video ground, as well as
between audio out and audio ground, for example, by some ohm-meter
Vladimyr said:
yeh, to check resistance between video out and video ground, as well as
between audio out and audio ground, for example, by some ohm-meter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
probably a terminator resistor of 50 ohms .. a piece of 50 ohm antenna wire will do fine ..
these cost 25 cents or less
as far as the mini usb .. its probably the same as this one motorola has..
im not sure if motorola sells these or if there are any to buy separatly.
just an idea : maybe one can convert this yellow rca videoplug (which comes standard with any videocard with tv-out) to have a miniusb plug on the other side.
da_jojo said:
just an idea : maybe one can convert this yellow rca videoplug (which comes standard with any videocard with tv-out) to have a miniusb plug on the other side.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem what to convert, the question is "how"
An ExtUSB-3.5mm jack headphone adapter ($5) has the necessary connector.
I just need someone to check the original cable of intercontact resistence
Vladimyr said:
No problem what to convert, the question is "how"
An ExtUSB-3.5mm jack headphone adapter ($5) has the necessary connector.
I just need someone to check the original cable of intercontact resistence
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think it is terminated inside the connector. The detection will be due to the internal termination of the device you connect to eg tv or projetor.
jwhitham said:
I dont think it is terminated inside the connector. The detection will be due to the internal termination of the device you connect to eg tv or projetor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you are right a tv has an composite input witch has a 75ohm resitance.
but your headset uses the same connection for his mic... for me a bummer but for you guys maybe the solution....
take a look at this link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=31649&d=1164664052
it's a pinout of the headset...
i just maked one for myself (actual a home made cradle) but it just doesn't reconize the cable, audio and charging works like a charm
Build your own TV Out Cable
OK, I tried to put the pin-out together. I don't have the cable, but I played around with the Multifunction Audio Cable YC A200 which I opened up for that purpose. Only when pins 3 and 5 are connected and not 4, the TP recognizes a video cable and askes for the video norm. When using these pins as ground, there is a humming noise and the video flickers. By connecting these pins with pin A, this problem is solved. I put the info on a figure... could someone with a cable and a multimeter validate it?
I made then a custom cable to work with the Multifunction cable. For this, a 4-pin 3.5 mm plug was worked on with a Dremmel (see figure). The plug needs then to be inserted into the receptacle so that the notch is at the upper left. Just turn the plug till it is no longer identified as headset but as video cable. The extra ground connection I got from a regular mini USB cable. Tested and works without problem...
switch should be connected to mic ground probably.. can you try if this works ?
connect 3 and 5 for video switch
connect audio plug [ ]=== ground - audio right - audio left
4 - 2 - 6
connect video (o) outer 5 inner 1
Does anybody know of the "new" schematics of ExtUSB on TouchPro that includes the TV-out functionality? (or even for that matter the USB-Host ability of 7500?)
It would be interesting to know how they fit those things on the 6 extra pins...
Try this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2515344&postcount=7
ah thanks
strange though...
Pin 1 was the Mic line.
Pin 5 was the Mic ground but also the antenna.
Hands-free accessories still work, don't they? So how did they make it?
I see they probably use USB ground (11) for the audio, although they used to use pin 4.
Strange...
I tried to put the info together here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=2610305&postcount=19
Pin A (or 11, digital ground) is used as ground, pins 3 and 5 are connected to detect the video cable. In a headset, pins 4 and 5 are connected, with pin 3 being connected to them only when pressing the switch.
nice, makes sense
I can't seem to locate the thread I saw a while back regarding someone wanting an extension cable for the T.V. out USB dongle for a Fuze.
I also wanted to port into my car's radio (touchscreen w/audio & video in/out jacks) and also supply power without having a tangle of wires. The t.v. dongle has a power-in jack on the side but that would result in a mess and I, apparently not alone, was looking for an 11 pin miniUSB extension cable. Seems nobody can find such an animal. However, during a trip to WalMart I found a car charger adaptor for Motorola phones with a 90 degree plug and a coiled cord. Not quite as neat as an extension would have been but with the jack arranged to point down the side of the dongle, the coiled portion can wrap around the dongle's cable. $15 and the search was over.
Heelo beav12
I was probably the one looking for the cable. I have my Fuze in a cradle in my car and I have the HTC A/V cable plugged into the bottom of the cradle so when I slide my fuze into it, I get connection to my Avic-D3 and I can see whatever the fuze sees on the Avic screen. However, in order to keep the phone charged, I have to plug in another cable into the jack on the little junction box and now I have 2 cables and an ugly box hanging below my phone.
I have searched high and low for an 11 pin mini USB extension cable to no avail and the 2 different styles of A/V cables for the phone either have the junction box 2-3 inches from the end where it plugs into the phone (which is what I have now) or if the junction is at the other end of the cable by the RCA plugs, it lacks the charging port! HOW F$#@$%ing dumb are these engineers??? All I want to do is hide the mess behind the dash and have just ONE SINGLE CABLE running up to the phone cradle.
If anyone has any ideas before I start cutting and soldering, please let me know!
Thanks for such a GREAT site here and hopefully someone will come up with a solution besides cut and burn!
Good day to all!
ITAdmin
Lapdock+Wii == Gametrix
So I have a spare Nintendo Wii and a lapdock (hopefully pick some more up if there are still any at Radioshack) and I am going to disassemble the Wii, reconfigure it to fit on the back "panel" of the Lapdock, and get the needed cords to create a Gametrix
My initial goal is to connect a Nintendo Wii to my Atrix Lapdock by... (with modifications)
1) a. Having the Lapdock’s Male Mini-HDMI plugged into a Female Mini-HDMI TO M / F Fullsized-HDMI converter. Thus allowing a direct HDMI connection from there.
This takes care of ½ of connections for both the Lapdock and the Wii.
2) a. Ideally I am looking to hook the Wii’s power supply directly to the Lapdock’s Male Micro-USB port, via a Female Micro-USB TO M / F Fullsized-USB. From there I’d need a USB to Female Wall Outlet (3 prong?) this would entail finding(unlikely...) / building one.
This takes care of power needs, (if it works) leaving only the unlikely usability of the Lapdocks built in keyboard and mouse / USB ports.
2) b. if number 2 section a (above) doesn’t work because of lack of volts traveling through the USB to the Wii, then I’d be left with connecting an external battery to the Wii and just taking advantage of the screen.
Hopefully if I have to result to section b then I’d at least be able to use the keyboard and mouse?
I will update with a Diagram of my plan “a” and “b” tomorrow after school.
This is my first Project, I'm still learning, and still planning so don't expect anything yet. I' moved this thread from Atrix thread, as it fits better here
I guess there should be no problem with using it as a monitor and keyboard/mouse, someone already done that, google: "Using a Motorola Atrix Lapdock as a HDMI Monitor and USB Keyboard / Mouse" (can't post URLs :/ ).
2a) USB won't be able to supply enough power. And you want to convert 5V DC to 110V AC?! Forget about it.
2b) Maybe you will be able to use Lapdocks internal battery (with some hardware modifications). I think it can store about 40Wh, so that should allow to run Lapdock and Wii for about an hour.
The wii's power cable is a 3 prong 12v wall outlet cable. The Lapdock is capable of outputting a total if 12v or so I've read, and the Wii requires 12 volts to boot, and it runs on 10v. Im not sure how many volts the Lapdock display will draw though so I'm still very hesitant on how I'm going to solve the power issue. I want to run everything off of the lapdocks battery. Is this possible? Any recommendations are appreciated. Thanks!
"Female Wall Outlet" - I somehow convinced myself that you mean Wall Plug, sorry about that Google says that power supply for Wii is rated for "DC 12V 3.7A". Even if there is a 12V rail on Lapdocks PCB it probably won't be able to handle additional 3A. You can try to build your own power supply circuit and connect it directly to Lapdocks battery, bypassing its internal circuits. Battery in Lapdock is rated for 11.1V. Do you have any experience with electronics (soldering, circuit design etc)?
No, this is my first project, I decided Im not going to get my feet wet with electronic modifications, instead I'm just going to dive right in If you have any info for me about dealing with circuits, inverters, and batteries that you could share, that'd be great as we'll. I can find any documentation for powering the Wii because I'm certain you can't just throw 12v at it, it has to be split right? Like a lot of consoles need 9v and 45v... it's a lot to learn so any help is greatly appreciated.
If you are going to use 2 pin power connector on the back panel of the Wii it's enough to supply it with 12V (one of the pins is +12V, other one is ground), but the hard part is that Wii can consume up to 4 Amps. Because you're not experienced in electronics I think you can consider:
1) getting a battery pack like this one, (unfortunately it can supply only 2A, getting 4A one may be difficult/expensive).
2) using 4 cell battery pack (for example: a laptop battery), which should give you something between 13V and 15V, and LDO (low dropout voltage regulator), like LM1084, to get 12V output.
[edit[
There are many other possibilities, it all depends on how much time/money you want to put into this project.
Let us know how it goes. I'd be interested in seeing the progress of this project.
I've had to put all electronics on hold for a bit, school and community service is pretty overwhelming ATM, but I guarantee that I'll follow through with this and finish it. Thanks for all the suggestions guys!
If anyone goes to market for Categary 5e Plenum cable it should know at least some basic information about the features of this Cable. Like:
4-pair unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable, 24 AWG Copper Clad Aluminum, Verified Compliant With EIA/TIA /ETL, Low Smoke, CMP Plenum rated jacket.
Can anyone suggest me more informations about this ethernet cable?
Like what do you want? It says plenum in the description.
Re: Should I upgrade from Cat5e to Cat6???
Last time I am seeing informative contant against ca5e plenum bulk cable on 1000ft cables store