Samtec continues to grow its line of signal integrity connectors and cable systems, many rated at 28, 56 and 112 Gbps. These high-performance interconnects, typically used in digital applications, are finding new homes in the analog world. Small Form Factor A primary benefit of considering "digital connectors for analog applications" is the potential for a higher-density of RF channels in a more compact footprint, while maintaining return loss and isolation requirements. This is in … [Read more...]
Precision RF Products: New and Coming Soon
The NBA Finals, the first week of Wimbledon, the fourth benches-clearing-brawl-of-the-season between the Pirates and the Reds, and precision RF at IMS are all things I will miss in June. Hopefully live sporting events will return later in the year. IMS has been rescheduled as a virtual event, taking place in August and September. But, since IMS was originally scheduled for next week, I thought I would share with some of you microwave-minded people our new and soon-to-be-released precision … [Read more...]
Select The Best Connector Contact and Pin
The other day I spoke to a new engineering co-op about the raw materials in PCB connectors. Our discussion covered the most obvious items, like the plastic insulator, the pins, plating, and packaging. Not surprisingly, most of the discussion focused on the contact system in the socket/receptacle, because that is one of the most critical components in the system. That led to the question “why does an engineer select one contact system over another?” I rattled off a list of factors a designer … [Read more...]
Selecting The Right Connector, Part 2
In Part 1 of this blog, I introduced you to Mr. Phil Eckert, Samtec's Quality Engineering Manager. Phil shared seven tips to help designers select the right connector system for their application, and to generally make your life easier. Today, in Part 2, Phil gives us eight more tips to help you choose the right connector system for your design. 1. Flux: Unspent flux is problematic in connectors from both a mechanical interference and a corrosive nature. Ultimately this can result in … [Read more...]
Selecting the Right Connector, Part 1
Inventing the light bulb, phonograph, motion picture technologies, film, the mimeograph, and holding a record 1,093 patents is impressive. But, I bet Thomas Edison never had the truly difficult job of selecting the right connector system for his printed circuit boards (PCB), nor did he have to work with process or quality engineers to make sure said connector systems were designed-for-manufacturability. That's where Phil Eckert comes in. Phil is Samtec’s Customer Quality Engineering Manager … [Read more...]
Salt Fog Resistant Optical Modules For Mil/Aero
Data centers drive volume use for modern optical transceivers. These have favorable conditions for the optics, with low humidity and tightly controlled temperatures, which in turn has enabled a low-cost design approach for the subcomponents used in modern devices. The Mil/Aero market has very different environmental requirements with aggressive conditions such as sand/dust, salt fog and even continuous operation in 100% humidity. These conditions have historically led to the use of the … [Read more...]
Samtec’s Top 10 Most Popular Connector Products
To the best of my knowledge, David Letterman popularized Top 10 lists on his show Late Night With David Letterman. The first list aired on September 18, 1985, and the topic was "The Top 10 Words That Almost Rhyme With Peas." In typical Letterman fashion it included the words nurse, ice, moss, lens, and rice. Several years ago we published a blog on Samtec's Top 10 most popular connector products and product families. I wrote it because I'm frequently asked that question. And since people are … [Read more...]
Challenges Of Aligning Multiple Connector Sets
Increased density, shrinking footprints, higher data rates, and thermal management are but a few of the challenges affecting the design and fabrication of printed circuit boards (PCBs) in today’s electronic systems. And did I mention cost? An important, although sometimes overlooked consideration, is these increasingly sophisticated PCBs often require more complex connector systems. Most of the aforementioned design factors also affect connector design and performance, including smaller … [Read more...]
No NAB? No Problem. 12G-SDI Products and Support.
If this were a typical April, and if you are in the broadcast industry, chances are you would be at the NAB Show in Las Vegas. By day you would be checking out the latest broadcast products, solutions, equipment and technology. And by night, well, I don’t even want to think about what you might be doing at night, so I’ll stick to the daytime. Unfortunately this is not a typical April. In fact, it’s about the most atypical April I’ve ever seen. But since you can’t go to the NAB Show in Vegas, … [Read more...]
A New and Improved (!) Rugged Edge Card Connector
I don’t watch much television, but when I do, I am captivated by some of the products advertised. Some of them are hilarious, but I don’t think they were meant to elicit that reaction. The products in many of these ads are "products looking for a solution." I mean, who would buy a hamburger grill that runs on your car exhaust, umbrellas for your shoes, or diet water? I’m also not always a fan of “new and improved” products, unless the improvement has merit. Having said that, Samtec is … [Read more...]
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