[NTLK] The (unfinished) story of the Interconnect Port plug

[Ionos: robowerk.de]

Hi Newton fans,

the original plan was to release a neat product for you, inspired by the 
USB-to-DIN connector that came out earlier this year. But I was 
interrupted... .

To connect the USB/DIN cable to the MP2x00, you still must have a dongle 
from the proprietary Apple Interconnect Port to the also somewhat 
proprietary Mini DIN connector. These seem to be made from unobtanium 
these days, and the original manufacturer of the plug itself will not 
make them again, even when I asked for 600 of them. Bad luck for us.

So I waded through all online catalogs of all electronics distributors I 
could find in the quest of the one plug that may be compatible. But the 
pin pitch in question is 1mm, a pitch that is very uncommon.

But I wouldn't write all this if I failed, now would I. I present to you 
the IEEE 1386 standard. Pretty much the one and only 1mm pitch connector 
that I could find at all, and woohoo, it can help us out here. Meant to 
connect two printed circuit boards in a backpack manner, the female plug 
does fit the Newton Interconnect Port after some box cutter surgery to 
make the pin count match.

It's a Molex 0714390964, 1.00mm Mezzanine (IEEE 1386) Receptacle, 
Surface Mount, Dual Row, Vertical Stacking, 64 Circuits Pick and Place 
Cap, and yes, they are available in black as well.

http://www.messagepad.org/tmp/20210421_152259.jpg

So, some cutting is required

http://www.messagepad.org/tmp/20210421_151719.jpg

and some very fine soldering. But everything is easier with a circuit 
board. And with JLPCB offering a set of 10 PCBs for $2 (plus $16 
shipping), this is really a nice option:

http://www.messagepad.org/tmp/20210430_122731.jpg
http://www.messagepad.org/tmp/20210504_224139.jpg
http://www.messagepad.org/tmp/bvbx94.jpg

The connector is a good enough fit, maybe a bit too loose, but the 
contact seem fine. This photo shows my first zombie plug in the official 
MP2x00 connector.

http://www.messagepad.org/tmp/20210504_223958.jpg

So three things are left to do:

1: hook up the USB module. I didn't have time yet, wanting to avoid a 
short circuit or ruining my MP in any other way, but the signals are 
definitively there according to my scope. There is also space and power 
for an inverter, or whatever we need here, so yes, easy peasy.

2: design a case, because if this is plugged in upside down, it may kill 
your Interconnect Port, making it a very bad day. A case can fix it 
right side up mechanically. Also pretty easy thanks to 3d printing.

3: come up with PCBs, maybe for a DIN dongle as well, and have a few 
made if there is demand. And even that is fairly easy. The annoying part 
is the soldering ;-)

Added bonus:

On Aliexpress there are USB-C power modules and boost converters that 
could provide the 7V, 1200mA that are required as the correct supply 
voltage through the interconnect port. So one USB-C connection would 
provide data and ample power, even for charging, at the same time.

Matthias