J.R. Bonnefoy, Systems Engineer at Samtec, walks us through a live product demonstration of a 70 GHz, high-performance test point system. This demo, from DesignCon 2020, incorporates two new high-performance products. The demo is based on Samtec’s 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. This demonstration focuses … [Read more...]
Severe Environment Testing Finds a Home
If you follow our blog at all, then chances are likely that you have seen at least one of the blogs concerning a new test initiative called Severe Environment Testing (SET). As Mil / Aero, Space, Industrial, Transportation, and Automotive manufacturers continue to use Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) parts in their applications, Samtec has taken testing to another level to ensure these COTS parts can perform for those applications. SET Online Samtec has setup a page within our … [Read more...]
Thermal Modeling for Systems
Long gone are the days of simply selling a part, pins in plastic if you will. Between environmental standards, qualification testing, UL ratings, and thermal models; customers have come to expect information about the products they purchase as well. Thermal modeling is one of the many capabilities that Samtec has added, and is utilized during the design process for its products as well as assisting its customers in the design of their systems. What Factors Affect Thermal … [Read more...]
The Effects Of Lubrication On Connector Processing
Decisions, Decisions ... I may be in the market for a new car in the near future. Unless you’ve got a strong preference (and most car buyers DO have a strong preference, IMO), choosing a vehicle is a series of trade-offs. Fuel efficiency vs. horsepower. Functionality vs. appearance. Safety vs. fun. Cost vs. a heated steering wheel and seats. Choosing the right connector set for many EOEM applications is also full of trade-offs, including pitch, termination type, plating, and contact … [Read more...]
Connector Thermal Cycle Qualification For Military and Avionic Environments
Collins Aerospace recently published a white paper entitled “Qualification Of High Density Connector Solutions For Military and Avionic Environments.” It discusses their qualification process of high density connectors for rugged military and avionics applications. This paper focuses on the thermal testing of solder joints because “printed circuit board (PCB) assemblies are made up of many different materials that have different coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) … [Read more...]
How Wet is Too Wet?
If you have been a user of Facebook for longer than five years then chances are likely you have seen the "My phone got wet and doesn't work. Don't ask how!" post. Many companies / industries started to take notice, and in came IP67 and IP68 ratings on consumer goods. At Samtec, we typically don't have to worry about moisture or dust on our connectors (since most are passive devices), but the systems our connectors go into certainly do. This is why Samtec also conducts IP67 and IP68 … [Read more...]
A Deep Dive into Severe Environment Testing (Part II)
In the first part of this series on Severe Environment Testing (SET) we covered Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) and Dielectric Withstanding Voltage (DWV) at an altitude of 70,000 ft. Continuing on the path of "how" we tested, we will be looking at the other tests that were introduced for SET; Mating / Unmating / Durability (100% Relative Humidity, 250 cycles), Temperature Cycling (500 cycles), and Mechanical Shock for LLCR and Event Detection. If you haven't read the first two blogs … [Read more...]
A Deep Dive into Severe Environment Testing
In the last blog on Severe Environment Testing (SET), we covered "why" and "what" Samtec was testing on its connectors. In this one, we are going to look a little bit further into the "how." Electrostatic Discharge and Dielectric Withstanding Voltage at an altitude of 70,000 ft will be discussed as part of two new tests being performed under Severe Environment Testing. What is new? Electrostatic Discharge ESD Test Setup Typically, with connectors Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) … [Read more...]
Severe Environment Testing for Connectors
With the advent of the Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) part being used in Mil / Aero, Space, Industrial, Transportation, and Automotive applications; manufacturers find themselves still looking for information on how those products will perform in severe environments. Here at Samtec, we have recognized the need for more information about our COTS products, and that is why we have introduced Severe Environment Testing (SET). What is Severe Environment Testing? Severe Environment … [Read more...]
Samtec Expands VITA 57.4 with FMC+ Extender Card
Developing with FPGAs requires patience. Why? They are so flexible and configurable. System designers are only limited by their imagination. Prototyping with FPGAs also poses many challenges. It seems like there are new FMC / FMC+ solutions appearing daily. Sometimes the FPGA carrier card or development board can get crowded. How can that be fixed? VITA 57.4 FMC+ Extender Card Engineers prototyping with industry-standard FPGA evaluation and development kits often leverage the FMC+ … [Read more...]
