X3T9.2/88-018

MEMORANDUM

02 Feb 1988

TO:           John Lohmeyer, Chairman X3T9.2

FROM:         Bill Spence, Texas Instruments
              Ben Donaghue, Texas Instruments

SUBJECT:      FOLLOW-UP REPORT ON STUDY OF MINIATURE SHIELDED CONNECTORS


This report is to modify in two respects our report of 11/30, which was based
primarily on the information available at the Santa Clara meeting, 11/18-19.
In that report, we recognized the commanding position of the "Amplimite"-style
connectors with respect to established position and breadth of existing support.
But we were fearful of another pin-and-socket type connector, even if it was
called "tab-and-receptacle".  And we pointed out the folly of mounting the tab-
bearing connector on the chassis, where a connector is difficult to replace,
as opposed on the cable end, where it is simple just to change out the cable.

We have subsequently been informed that AMP, at least, is already tooled to
provide the connectors with the tabs on the cable ends.  Further, having had
an opportunity to examine their tabs, their cable terminations, and other
details, we agree with the position that the "Amplimite"-style tabs are far
less susceptible to damage from user abuse than were the pins of SCSI-1,
Alternative 1, and the "Amplimite" style connector appears to us to be quite
acceptable overall for the requirements of SCSI-2 for miniature connectors,
particularly if the tabs are on the cable ends.

Neither of us owns AMP stock, and we haven't had so much as a drink from them.