Dock Connector
From wikiPodLinux
The dock connector was introduced with the 3rd generation iPods. With the dock connector the iPod can be charged, connected to a PC via USB or Firewire, connected to a stereo via line-out or connected to a serial device and controlled via the Apple Accessory Protocol. The manufacturer of the dock connector is JAE (http://www.jae-connector.com/en/index.cfm). The manufacturer's information on the dock connector can be found here (http://www.jae-connector.com/en/general_en.cfm?series_code=DD1&contact_number=&s_height=&l_con=&r_con=).
| Table of contents |
Dock Connector Pin Out
The female dock connector's pin numbering:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
The male dock connector's internal pin numbering:
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
Pin#/Functions
Note: These pins were previously listed in reverse order.
- FireWire Ground 1
- FireWire Ground 1
- FireWire Data TPB (+)
- USB Data (+) 2
- FireWire Data TPB (−)
- USB Data (−) 2
- FireWire Data TPA (+)
- USB VBUS Power +5 VDC (from computer) 2
- FireWire Data TPA (−)
- Accessory Indicator 3
- Firewire Power +12 VDC 4
- Firewire Power +12 VDC 4
- +3.3V Power (to power iPod accessories) 5
- USB GND 6
- Ground 6
- Serial RxD
- Serial TxD
- Serial GND
- S-Video Luminance 7, Component Pr
- S-Video Chrominance 7, Component Y
- Video Out - Composite Video (for ipod colour when slideshow activated)8, Component Pb
- Line In - Left
- Line In - Right
- Line Out - Left
- Line Out - Right
- Line Out - Common Ground 9
- Ground 9
- Note 1: Pins 1 and 2 connected on motherboard
- Note 2: 4 and 6, D- and D+. Different kind of behaviour of the iPod if those pins are set to a certain state:
- To force the iPod (useful for the iPod 5G) to charge in any case, when 'USB Power 5 VDC' (pin 8) is fed, pin D- must be connected to 3.3V (USB uses 3.3V for data communication, you can connect to 5V but its not as safe) through a 10 kΩ resistor, and pin 4 must be connected to the Ground (for example: pin 1) with a 10 kΩ resistor. 10 kΩ resistor has been determined experimentally.
- To force the iPod nano 2nd generation (aluminium case) to charge, you have to connect pin 6 to 5 VDC (pin 8) through a 10 kΩ resistor while leaving pin 4 unconnected.
- To properly charge iPod nano 2nd generation, connect pin 6 to 2.5 VDC through 10 kΩ resistor, while pin 4 receives 2 VDC.
- To charge your video iPod, and play at the same time, connect +12V to pin 11 (Firewire +12). Useful for car iPod players. Also when the car 12V accessory socket turns off when the ignition switch is turned off, this will turn the iPod off.
- Note 3: Pin 10 connected to ground via a resistor. Different resistances indicate which accessory is connected. Known resistances/functions (ohms) are as follows:
- 1 kΩ - iPod docking station, iPod beeps when connected
- 10 kΩ - Takes my iPod into photo import mode
- 500 kΩ - vava uses this for his serial-via-dock experiments. Used in Dension Ice Link Plus car interface
- 550 kΩ - Measured value of Nike+ Receiver
- 1 MΩ - Belkin auto adaptor, iPod shuts down automatically when power disconnected
- Note 4: Pins 11 and 12 connected on motherboard
- Note 5: Pin 13 stepped up to provide +5 VDC to USB on iPod Camera Connector.
- If iPod is put to sleep while Camera Connector is present, +5 VDC on USB slowly drains back to 0 VDC.
- If Camera Connector is disconnected, draining power can be detected between this pin on the Camera Connector dock connector and +5 VDC on USB connector.
- Used by the Honda Music Link (http://nuxx.net/wiki/Honda_/_Acura_Music_Link_%28Technical%29) to detect the presence of an iPod.
- Note 6: Pins 15 and 16 connected on motherboard
- Note 7: Newly discovered from iPod Color Dock
- Note 8: Composite out uses common ground as ground
- Note 9: Pins 29 and 30 are connected on motherboard
Where to order Dock Connectors
- ridax, one of our forum members, has purchased a bulk amount of dock connectors to resell to hobbyists. If you are interested, you can order several different styles of dock connectors, breakout boards, extenders and extension cables online here (http://home.swipnet.se/ridax/connector.htm) from him. He ships world wide.
- Spark Fun Electronics sells male dock connectors here (http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=633). They also carry a breaout board (http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8295) which makes it easy to connect to specific pins without über-soldering skills.
- Qables also sells dock connectors here (http://www.qables.com) (see under DIY Connectors & Parts). Shipping to europe.
- MJS Gadgets also makes iPod to RS232 interfaces (http://www.rush2112.net/mkportal/modules/oscommerce/product_info.php?products_id=34) to connect the iPod to your computer and control it. Raw 8-pin mini-din iPod cables are available too.
- Podgizmo (http://www.podgizmo.com) also sells connectors.
iPod Plug Pictures
 Top Inside |
 Top Outside |
 lBottom Inside |
 Bottom Outside |
 Bottom Exploded |
 Assembled Top |
 Assembled Rear |
 Front |
 Pin Detail |
New Plug Design (ordered March 2006)
Here is a new type of plug with shield. It is confirmed to work with all iPods with
dock connector (available from ridax)
Here is a cradle connector slanted 15 degrees. It is confirmed to work with all iPods with
dock connector (available from ridax)
Here is a straight cradle connector for through hole mounting. It is confirmed to work with all iPods with dock connector (available from ridax)
Here are two female/receptacle connectors, one for PCB mounting and one for cord mounting. It is confirmed to work with all iPods with dock connector (available from ridax)
