[NTLK] Interconnect port

[Matthias Melcher]

> On 20. Apr 2025, at 01:27, redeo68 <redeo68 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Just wondering if this  the same  as the card/port card from newton sales as l was considering it and apparently it works ok?
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Lengthy mail, but I wanted to compare available devices as far as I know them. Any additions to available or past hardware are very welcome.

There are two communications ports on teh MP2x00. The one on the back of the device is called the "Newton Interconnect Port". Apple supplied either a serial cable for the port, or a dongle (https://newtonglossary.com/terms/newton-serial-adapter) that would convert the port to MiniDIN (https://newtonglossary.com/terms/mini-din), like the older MP's had. No tools are needed to plug anything in, but the connector is proprietary, and no more connectors are being made. My dongle will connect here.

The other ported is the "Internal Serial Slot" or "Internal Modem Port". This port is great for internal extensions, but you loosen a few screw and take your device apart. Once mounted, you can reassemble everything and the machine looks the same as before. The modem was never produced by Apple. But there was the SER-001 by PCBMan (https://newtonglossary.com/terms/ser-001) . 

Jake Borden designed an internal modem card that uses the ESP32 and adds Wifi, USB-C, and power. This card is not yet available, and admittedly, it's waiting for firmware which I have started and restarted a few times. I will release a preview in the enxt weeks for both, Jake's card and the dongle.

NewtonSales offers two extension. 

The Newton Docking Station (https://www.newtonsales.com/Newton%202000%202100%20eMate%20Docking%20Station.html). AFAICT, it provides a DIN and a DB9 plug for serial port connections (NCU, debugging), a USB-C (or Mini-B) connection to the modem port (NCU with driver, no debugging), and additional plugs for mono audio in, audio out, and a 7.5V connector for external power.

The USB-001 (https://www.newtonsales.com/Newton%202000%20%202100%20USB-C.html) is an internal board that basically does what the SER-001 does, but with USB Mini-B socket. It needs software installed on the MP to work. It does serial communication over the modem port, no debugging, no power AFAIK.

 - Matthias