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=).

One of our forum members, ridax, 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 from Ridax (http://home.swipnet.se/ridax/connector.htm). He distributes world-wide. (There is also a forum for discussing the dock connector (http://www.forums.cc/phpbb/index.php?mforum=connector).) Spark Fun Electronics also sells male dock connectors here (http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=633). In europe, www.qables.com also sells dock connectors (see under DIY Connectors & Parts).

Mouser.com has picked up the dock connectors as well (but not always in stock and reported to not fit the iPod).

Spark Fun Electronics carries a breakout board (http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8295) which makes it easy to connect to specific pins without uber-soldering skills.

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.

Table of contents
1 Dock Connector Pin Out

1.1 Pin#/Functions

2 Dock Connector Specifications
3 JAE Plug Pictures

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.

  1. FireWire Ground 1
  2. FireWire Ground 1
  3. FireWire Data TPB (+)
  4. USB Data (+) 2
  5. FireWire Data TPB (−)
  6. USB Data (−) 2
  7. FireWire Data TPA (+)
  8. USB VBUS Power +5 VDC (from computer) 2
  9. FireWire Data TPA (−)
  10. Accessory Indicator 3
  11. Firewire Power +12 VDC 4
  12. Firewire Power +12 VDC 4
  13. +3.3V Power (to power iPod accessories) 5
  14.  
  15. USB GND 6
  16. Ground 6
  17.  
  18. Serial RxD
  19. Serial TxD
  20. Serial GND
  21. S-Video Luminance 7, Component Pr
  22. S-Video Chrominance 7, Component Y
  23. Video Out - Composite Video (for ipod colour when slideshow activated)8, Component Pb
  24.  
  25. Line In - Left
  26. Line In - Right
  27. Line Out - Left
  28. Line Out - Right
  29. Line Out - Common Ground 9
  30. 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 19 (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
    • 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

Dock Connector Specifications

The dock connector used on the iPod is a proprietary connector manufactured for Apple by JAE. To obtain the mating connectors for the iPod you must contact Apple, sign an NDA and the "Made for iPod" agreement, and probably jump through more hoops. I was told by a tech at JAE that the Apple part numbers are as listed below, but end with "2" instead of "1". See the photo below that shows how the Apple parts are "keyed" differently from the standard parts.

The following parts were ordered in March 2006:

JAE p/n DD1P030MA1
(Obtained from from Mouser.com)
Cord mount "plug". Mates with DD1R030HA1. Does NOT mate with iPod 5G.
This connector is different than the one pictured below. Photos will be posted shortly.
JAE p/n DD1B030HA1
(Obtained as a sample from JAE's U.S. sales Office in Irvine)
Horizontal PCB mount "plug". Mates with DD1R030HA1. Does NOT mate with iPod 5G.
JAE p/n DD1R030HA1
(Obtained as a sample from JAE's U.S. sales Office in Irvine)
Horizontal PCB mount "receptacle". This part is analogous to the dock connector within the iPod, but it is keyed differently. It mates with DD1P030MA1 and DD1B030HA1. Does NOT mate with iPod dock model A1153 or iPod USB cable.
JAE p/n DD1B030VA1
(Obtained as a sample from JAE's U.S. sales Office in Irvine)
This is the 75 degree angled connector as used on the Apple iPod Dock Model A1153. This is the only connector I was able to obtain that mated with the iPod connectors without any modification. It does not mate with the DD1R030HA1. This is odd. JAE may have sent me the Apple part by mistake.

It appears that the DD1P030MA1 and DD1B030HA1 can be modified to mate with the iPod. You would need a small grinder to remove a very small amount of metal and plastic on the one side that interferes with the "key" in the iPod's receptacle.

  • Contact resistance: 50 milliohms max
  • Rated for 0.5A signaling, 1.0A power (30 volts).
  • Mating cycle of 10,000 times.
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