Some of you may have seen the article on my design for an ATA/100 Cable from CAT-5E.
While this first prototype was over 5 feet long and easily equaled or slightly exceeded the performance of "standard" 80-conductor ATA/100 cables, it did have a few disadvantages. The connector scheme I worked out was a bit large and clumsy with which to work. The first prototype was also fairly stiff due primarily to its large diameter and solid conductors.
Well, I FINALLY got around to constructing a NEW design!
The new design eliminates both disadvantages. The connector is now simply a single standard 40-pin IDE connector, and I have reduced the cable diameter significantly and drastically improved flexibility and long-term durability. It is still a very difficult cable to manufacture (read: expensive, but less $$ than original design), but it will be a breeze to use!
I am just about to begin testing the new prototype, and if it performs well, I am seriously considering producing them in small numbers for custom applications.... depending on the interest.
If you guys/gals are interested, I will post back with the results...
Oh.... of course the cable is round... and did I mention that the new prototype is 6 feet, 8 inches long!! (length could be significantly extended) AND finally, unlike the first prototype, this design can be constructed much more easily with two drive connectors!
I will post pictures with the performance results, but I don't think I am going to release the construction procedures since I am most likely going to be making them for sale.
Let me know what y'all think.
While this first prototype was over 5 feet long and easily equaled or slightly exceeded the performance of "standard" 80-conductor ATA/100 cables, it did have a few disadvantages. The connector scheme I worked out was a bit large and clumsy with which to work. The first prototype was also fairly stiff due primarily to its large diameter and solid conductors.
Well, I FINALLY got around to constructing a NEW design!
The new design eliminates both disadvantages. The connector is now simply a single standard 40-pin IDE connector, and I have reduced the cable diameter significantly and drastically improved flexibility and long-term durability. It is still a very difficult cable to manufacture (read: expensive, but less $$ than original design), but it will be a breeze to use!
I am just about to begin testing the new prototype, and if it performs well, I am seriously considering producing them in small numbers for custom applications.... depending on the interest.
If you guys/gals are interested, I will post back with the results...
Oh.... of course the cable is round... and did I mention that the new prototype is 6 feet, 8 inches long!! (length could be significantly extended) AND finally, unlike the first prototype, this design can be constructed much more easily with two drive connectors!
I will post pictures with the performance results, but I don't think I am going to release the construction procedures since I am most likely going to be making them for sale.
Let me know what y'all think.