SIM Card Connector Pinouts & Electrical Basics

SIM Card Connector Pinouts & Electrical Basics

Summary

Explore SIM card connector pinouts, electrical basics, and design guidance.

SIM Card Connector Pinouts & Electrical Basics

1. Introduction


SIM card connectors are essential components in modern communication devices, enabling secure identification, authentication, and storage of user data. As devices become more compact, selecting the right connector and understanding its electrical properties is vital for engineers. Moarconn specializes in high-quality SIM card connectors, offering solutions that meet international standards while supporting custom designs for OEM/ODM projects.

2. SIM Card Connector Types


- Full-size SIM connectors (25×15 mm) – Now rare, mostly used in legacy systems.
- Micro SIM connectors (15×12 mm) – Still present in some mid-generation devices.
- Nano SIM connectors (12.3×8.8 mm) – The most common form factor today.
- Embedded SIM (eSIM) – Soldered directly onto the PCB, no mechanical connector needed.

3. Pinout Overview


A typical SIM card has 6 or 8 contacts, depending on ISO/IEC 7816 standards. Common pin assignments include:
① VCC – Power supply (1.8V / 3V / 5V)
② RST – Reset signal
③ CLK – Clock signal
④ GND – Ground
⑤ VPP – Programming voltage (legacy use)
⑥ I/O – Data input/output
⑦ & ⑧ – Reserved for future use or proprietary functions.

4. Electrical Design Considerations


 Operating Voltage: Ensure compatibility with SIM specification (1.8V / 3V / 5V).
 Contact Resistance: Lower resistance improves signal integrity.
 Insertion Life: Moarconn connectors typically support 5,000+ cycles.
 ESD Protection: Necessary to protect sensitive ICs from electrostatic discharge.

5. Mechanical Design Considerations


 Push-Push vs. Push-Pull: Push-push offers convenient ejection; push-pull is more compact.
 Card Orientation: Follow PCB layout guidelines to prevent incorrect insertion.
 Durability: Moarconn products use gold-plated contacts for corrosion resistance.

6. Applications


 Mobile phones & tablets
 IoT devices & smart meters
 Automotive telematics
 Industrial controllers

7. Why Choose Moarconn


 ISO-certified manufacturing
 Custom design capability for specific devices
 Fast prototyping & sample delivery
 Global export experience in 30+ countries
SIM Card Connector