A shielded data link connector is a type of
electrical connector
Components of an electrical circuit are electrically connected if an electric current can run between them through an electrical conductor. An electrical connector is an electromechanical device used to create an electrical connection between ...
in which the
signal
In signal processing, a signal is a function that conveys information about a phenomenon. Any quantity that can vary over space or time can be used as a signal to share messages between observers. The ''IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing'' ...
pins are surrounded by a metal
shield
A shield is a piece of personal armour held in the hand, which may or may not be strapped to the wrist or forearm. Shields are used to intercept specific attacks, whether from close-ranged weaponry or projectiles such as arrows, by means of a ...
. The connector was designed by
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(now TE Connectivity) and is available with a range of pins (4 to 16). It also features a locking mechanism and is available in differently keyed plugs that correspond to the proper socket.
It has been used by several different products, most notably on the original IBM
devices (such as keyboards and mice). The connector was also used by AMF for their line of Accuscore automatic scoring systems for bowling. Some of the SDL connectors are still manufactured but are no longer common on consumer electronic devices.