The standard PCI Express® Mini Card form factor, or MiniPCIe, is a small version of the PCI Express peripheral interface for laptop computers and other portable devices. Using standard PCI Express signalling, Mini PCI Express (MiniPCIe) cards are designed for internal use, plugging directly into the motherboard. They are also used in compact computers where space is limited; for example, ultra-small motherboards may include a Mini PCIe slot. The standard was developed by the PCI-SIG.
Physically, PCI Express Mini Cards are 30×50.95 mm. There is a 52-pin edge connector, consisting of two staggered rows on a 0.8 mm pitch. Each row has eight contacts, a gap equivalent to four contacts, then a further 18 contacts. A half-length card is also specified at 30×26.8 mm. Cards have a thickness of 1.0 mm (excluding components).
PCI Express Mini Card edge connectors provide multiple connections and buses:
- PCIe x1
- USB 2.0
- SMBus
- Wires to diagnostics LEDs for wireless network (i.e., Wi-Fi) status on computer’s chassis
- SIM card for GSM and WCDMA applications. (UIM signals on spec)
- Future extension for another PCIe lane
- 1.5 and 3.3 volt power
AMP MiniPCIe boards include the AVC8000nano, an 8 x D1 Video Frame Grabber and nanoFlame, an IEEE-1394 FireWire controller for mini PCI Express
