A New High Performance Test System – 70 GHz

Samtec Bulls Eye^® test point systems are ideal for high performance test applications because of their compression interfaces, small footprint, and high cycle count capabilities. Bulls Eye is now available in a new 70 GHz design, which joins the existing 50, 40, and 20 GHz systems.

The Bulls Eye grid design and smaller footprint enable smaller evaluation boards and shorter trace lengths. The high-density array design saves significant PCB space compared to traditional test points.

Also, the compression interface to the board provides easy on/off connection and eliminates soldering costs. The contacts are designed for high cycle counts, and replacement components are easy to order.

With Samtec’s ultra low loss 0.086″ microwave cable and precision interconnects, Bulls Eye enables optimized performance to 70 GHz.

The new 70 GHz, BE70A series is a dual row system available in stripline or microstrip PCB transmission with a 1.85 mm end 2 connector. 

If you want to see the BE70A in action, check-out this video from DesignCon 2020, where Bulls Eye and our NovaRay^® Extreme Density Array Connector System are used in a 56 Gbps PAM4 Product Demonstration Platform. It emulates real-world 56 Gbps PAM4 design challenges which pairs bleeding edge silicon and interconnect solutions using real-world, optimized design practices.

The BE40A series is a 40 or 50 GHz rated interconnect system (depending on the connetor options selected), double row system with signal and ground pogo pins. End 2 connectors are 2.92 mm and 2.40 mm, it’s available in microstrip or stripline PCB transmission, and is backward compatible with legacy, double row BDRA series 20 GHz solutions (stripline only).

Here’s an article from our friends at Electronic Products about the collaboration between Samtec, eSilicon, and Wild River Technology to test a 56-/112-Gbps PAM4 SerDes for use in IEEE 802.3bs (200-/400-Gbps Ethernet).

And here’s another article from our friends at Signal Integrity Journal discussing how this test system addresses the demands of 56/112G PAM4 using the IEEE P370 standard.

And we have more friends at Xilinx who incorporate Bulls Eye into their characterization kits, like the Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC ZCU1275 and the Virtex UltraScale VCU1287, to name a few. 

Please contact the RF Group at Samtec if you have questions.