About PCMCIA
What is PCMCIA?
Mission Statement
Strategic Objectives
Activities and Publications
Bylaws and Policies & Procedures
PCMCIA Fellows
What is PCMCIA?
PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) is an international standards body and trade association with over 100 member companies that was founded in 1989 to establish standards for Integrated Circuit cards and to promote interchangeability among mobile computers where ruggedness, low power, and small size were critical. As the needs of mobile computer users has changed, so has PCMCIA. By 1991, PCMCIA had defined an I/O interface for the same 68 pin connector initially used for memory cards. At the same time, the Socket Services Specification was added and was soon followed by the Card Services Specifcation as developers realized that common software would be needed to enhance compatibility.
Later, PCMCIA realized the need for higher speed applications such as multimedia and high-speed networking. From this realization came the CardBus 32-bit interface and Zoomed Video Specifications which allow blazing speed in such applications as MPEG video and 100 Mbit Ethernet. Along with these speed enhancements, PCMCIA continued to add to its specification to enhance compatibility and allow for such other mobile-oriented concerns as 3.3V operation and Power Management.
PCMCIA promotes the interoperability of PC Cards not only in mobile computers, but in such diverse products as digital cameras, cable TV, set-top boxes, and automobiles. As the variety of products that need modular peripheral expansion has grown, so has the diversity of the capabilities of modular peripherals. As such, PCMCIA has recently changed its mission statement: "To develop standards for modular peripherals and promote their worldwide adoption."
PCMCIA also works with standards for small form factor cards. PCMCIA added the Small PC Card form factor specifications to the PC Card Standard and publishes the Miniature Card Standard. These cards enable hand-held devices such as digital cameras to use a very small, rugged form of memory while PC Cards allow the data to be easily transferred to your personal computer through inexpensive adapters.
Today, PCMCIA is continuing to develop and promote the ExpressCard Standard, the standard for hot swappable systems and modules that dramatically improves the I/O performance of both desktop and notebook computers by supporting both the PCI Express and Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 standard. The ExpressCard Standard is designed to deliver high-performance, modular expansion to both desktop and notebook computers at a lower cost and in a smaller form factor. Users are able to add memory, wired and wireless communications, multimedia and security features by inserting ExpressCard modules into compliant systems. At roughly half the size and lighter than PC Card, ExpressCard products also leverage the proven advantages of PC Card technology, including reliability, durability and expansion flexibility while offering improved performance.
Mission Statement
To Develop Standards for Modular Peripherals and Promote Their Worldwide Adoption
Strategic Objectives
- Emphasize mobile applications for modular peripherals in platforms such as computers (notebook, handheld, and palmtop), cameras, digital audio/video equipment, vehicles...
- Improve user experience/ease of use
- Encourage expansion of the market for modular peripherals by educating the membership and the press
Activities & Publications
PCMCIA Web Site
PCMCIA hosts a web site that includes information about the association and a complete directory of PCMCIA's members. This site also includes information on the PC Card Standard and related technology information. The Members-only section of the site includes information from PCMCIA's committees, including change proposals, working technical documents and marketing materials.
ExpressCard Web Site
PCMCIA hosts www.expresscard.org, a web site targeted towards consumers and developers of ExpressCard technology. The site includes the ExpressCard Resource Directory, a database of compliant ExpressCard hosts, modules and components. Developers and consumers alike use this database to locate ExpressCard products and components which have passed PCMCIA's stringent Compliance Program and are eligible to display the ExpressCard logo, an energetic orange rabbit.
PC Card Standard
PCMCIA publishes the PC Card Standard which contains all of the physical, electrical and software specifications for the PC Card technology, including the 32-bit CardBus interface. The PC Card Standard can be ordered through this site.
ExpressCard Standard
PCMCIA publishes the ExpressCard Standard which contains all of the physical and electrical specifications for ExpressCard technology. In conjunction with the Standard, PCMCIA also maintains the ExpressCard Compliance Program, which consists of self-checklists and interoperability scripts (used at ExpressCard Interoperability Events) which verify that ExpressCard products have been developed in accordance with the Standard and also that they are actually fully interoperable with other products available on the market.
Standards Meetings
Executive members in PCMCIA meet approximately once per quarter in locations throughout the United States and internationally. All Executive members have the right to submit change proposals to the Standards, and every Executive member also has the right to debate, discuss and vote to approve all changes.
Trade Shows
PCMCIA promotes ExpressCard and PC Card technology at trade shows throughout the year. Typically, PCMCIA exhibits at the CeBIT, WinHEC and IDF conferences, along with other select shows which are relevant to our technology.
PCMCIA's Bylaws
PCMCIA's Bylaws define the structure of the Association. This includes membership, meetings, notification and voting. It also defines the structure, makeup and powers of the Board of Directors and PCMCIA's Officers.
Download PCMCIA's Bylaws (PDF file)
PCMCIA's Policies and Procedures
PCMCIA Policies and Procedures define the workings of the Association. This includes committee and subcommittee/TOG formation and operation, chairperson responsibilities, change proposal process and voting process. The Policies and Procedures also includes PCMCIA's Anti-trust Policy and Intellectual Property Policy.
Download PCMCIA's Policies and Procedures (PDF file)
PCMCIA Fellows
At the Tenth Annual PCMCIA Meeting in San Francisco in 1999, PCMCIA honored seven individuals who had helped establish PCMCIA along with others who contributed greatly to the first decade of PCMCIA's activities. These individuals were awarded PCMCIA Fellowship and named PCMCIA Fellows. Since that time, other individuals have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to PCMCIA's goals and have been similarly honored.
In recognition of their exceptional contribution to the advancement of the ideals and goals of the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association:
| PCMCIA Fellow | Year Inducted |
 | Stephen J. Gross | 1999
|  |
 | Stephen H. Harper | 1999 |
 | David G. Lawrence | 1999 |
 | Brendan P. McGuire | 1999 |
 | Minoru "Patrick" Ohara | 1999 |
 | John H. Reimer | 1999 |
 | Anthony D. Wutka | 1999 |
 | Kenneth W. Stufflebeam | 2001 |
 | Charles R. Payne | 2002 |
 | Wolfgang Neifer | 2004 |
PCMCIA Information
