I finally tracked down the pop out ethernet port used on lines of fujistu laptops.
These would allow for the same size expansion ports as the regular ports to be used on the laptops. I have endeavored to attempt to make a 2.5gbe or 5gbe controller using the port. If anyone wants to beat me to the end goal feel free…
Awesome find! Damn they’re expensive.
Do you have a footprint and/or measurements?
I think fitting all the required circuitry and the entire popout is going to be quite hard. You also need an IC that can do USB-C ↔ 5Gb ethernet, but you’ll likely require an NDA for the datasheets of any chip.
I also think shielding might be an issue. The only products with plastic (unshielded) ports that I have seen are up to 1Gb.
This discussion might be of interest to you. Reddit - Dive into anything
I just bought a cheap 2,5gb usbc dongle, wavelink I think. (10$) I’m gonna gut it and see what components they use and just make a customs pcb then transplant everything… I’m not worried about shielding or anything, I don’t need the fcc to approve me to tinker… if it’s really an issue I can just get copper tape and line the inside of the dongle and make a little faraday cage… I’m still waiting for the port to come in. I found one on eBay a bit cheaper, but I have to see the thing to even get an idea if it’s fit… I’m sure it will…
I’d probably start with something like this instead.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005538195245.html
It would require designing your own retaining clip, but you could make something far more solid (not sliding) with an edge of TPU around it like a laptop foot, while keeping the module flush at the side.
I have some big news, I got the first prototype substantially designed… It looks like a 2.5GbE pop out port has a future! there are a few more things to figure out and fix, but its substantially done.
remember it’ll look like this:
I will be prototyping some boards here in the near future, if anyone is interested in some of the boards to test DM me so I can gauge the interest and perhaps be able to cover some of the development costs if people want to donate and receive a board as they are being made…
5GbE theoretically can work although this RJ45 isn’t technically rated for it, hence why 2.5GbE is currently being developed. Before I go down the rabbit hole of getting 5GbE working with this unit, is anyone even interested? unfortunately 10GbE is out of the question with this receptacle, it doesn’t have the required shielding or anything to make that happen… so your opinion, is solid compatible 2.5GbE good enough? or should I try and get 5GbE working?
You’d be surprised what modern nics can tolerate but going with tried and true 2.5 is a solid first approach.
Sure you probably won’t get the full rated 30m but I had 10gbit working pretty well even with crappy plastic tipped cat5e cables that probably came with a router at some point.
I am personally fine using dongles for that since I need to carry the cable anyway but on an academic level it very is interesting and also just plain cool.
I am interested in the project
Very cool! I’d definitely stay with 2.5G for now, the project is already complex without trying to achieve 5G.
I am also happy to help test development cards, but if you’re outside of the EU it might get quite expensive with shipping and import tariffs.
