RJ100 Form Factor Concerns

This last winter, I discussed this idea with some fellow makers in Dallas. The form of the connector & proposed latching mechanism were discussed at length. The concern is that RJ100 connectors will be mechanically compatible with devices sporting RJ45, but RJ45 connectors will not be mechanically compatible with devices that only sport RJ100. Another concern is that RJ100 connectors will have no way of latching into an RJ45 connector. Both of the issues above can be addressed with development of a RJ100 to 2x RJ45 adapter & a RJ45 to RJ100 adapter. Ideally, the adapters should be avoided in favor of 4 twisted-pair or 8 twisted-pair cables terminated with RJ100 connectors.

Rugged Centronics 100 Proposal

There is also a need for a rugged variant of RJ45 and RJ100. Satellite dishes, external cameras & similar have attempted to address this issue. Neutrik has done very well with their etherCON connector. In my opinion, the best option is a new variant of a Centronics connector. Most modern computer connectors (USB in particular) are inspired by Centronics connectors: contacts along a sidewall; no fragile free-standing pins. The proposed Centronics 100 connector would have 16 contacts & no keying of the shielding shroud. It would be pin-compatible with RJ100. This would allow the connector to connect to a socket in either 0 or 180deg orientation. IP67 bushings could be added to make the connection weather-proof. Cables could be mass-produced with injection-molded Centronics 100 connectors on both ends, or field technicians could crimp their own Centronics 100 connectors with ease. Centronics 100 to RJ100 adapters could be manufactured, as could Centronics 100 to 2x RJ45 adapters.

Power Over Ethernet

One exceptional benefit of doubling the number of connectors is effective doubling of power delivery. Higher-current custom versions of PoE would no longer be necessary for those power-hungry devices like satellite dishes, HDBaseT TV's, or cameras with integrated lights.

Link Aggregation

The other highlight of the discussion in Dallas this winter was Link Aggregation. My fellow makers in Dallas noted devices could be configured to automatically aggregate connections. Since RJ100 is merely 2x RJ45 connectors combined, devices could automatically detect new pairs of connections and optimize those pairs accordingly.

IEEE Standard Proposal

These proposals ideally need to made to IEEE. I have not done so yet & plan to. If you would like to pass these proposals on to staff at IEEE, I would be grateful.