Samtec demonstrated many high-performance RF test and measurement solutions at DesignCon 2024. In this video, David Beraun, Samtec's RF Product Manager, takes a quick look at some of those high-performance RF test and precision RF products. This first demonstration incorporates Samtec Bulls Eye®, a proven test and measurement cabling solution. A Keysight N5247B PNA-X network analyzer, with extension heads, evaluates the performance of the DUT up to 110 GHz. The DUT is the Bulls Eye system, … [Read more...]
SMPM Axial Misalignment? We Can Fix That.
Samtec has fully released its line of spring-loaded SMPM adaptors (also known as bullets or bullet adaptors), for SMPM axial misalignment. They are part of our PRFIA in-series adaptor family. Spring-loaded bullet adaptors are designated with a -SP in the part number configuration. You also have your choice of lengths, designated with either a -SP1 or -SP2: Spring-loaded bullet adaptors are designed to accommodate larger axial misalignment in RF board-to-board connector applications than … [Read more...]
RF Compression-Mount Connectors Enhance Millimeter Wave Designs
Compression mount connectors are a great option for millimeter wave designs because they avoid the problems associated with solder variations. Specifically, the advantages of compression mount connectors (as compared to soldered connections) for millimeter wave designs include avoiding the potential performance degradation of solder reflow, enabling high-performance millimeter-wave frequencies, providing flexibility during PCB design, and offering high reliability [1]. Plus, they can be reused. … [Read more...]
Samtec Opens New Taiwan Design Center
Samtec recently celebrated the grand opening of our new design and manufacturing center in Taiwan. The Taiwan Design Center will design (obviously), develop, and build leading-edge connector products for multiple industries, including datacom, telecom, artificial intelligence and machine learning, test and measurement, industrial, and medical. The state-of-the-art 70,000-square-foot facility (6,503 square meters) consists of three floors of manufacturing, new product development and … [Read more...]
When 50 Ohms Isn’t Really 50 Ohms
Another possible title for this blog was "I Designed A 50 Ω Transmission Path; Why is My Return Loss or VSWR Higher Than Expected?" Another was "Maintaining 50 Ohms In A Channel Is Trickier Than It Looks." Hopefully, you understand the main point we're trying to make. This blog is a summary of a seminar by Samtec's Michael Griesi, presented at IMS 2023. For those of you who weren't able to attend, a video of the full presentation is above. In the meantime, here's an overview of what Michael … [Read more...]
New Waveguide Technology for Next-Generation Systems
As end-applications venture into the sub-Terahertz spectrum, Samtec has recognized the need for a new generation of products, one that incorporates an innovative approach by integrating a cable design that can support frequencies up to 90 GHz (E-band) with loss performance improved over today's coaxial cables. Enter our next-generation micro waveguide technology, offering the near-loss performance of a rigid waveguide while still providing the flexibility and size typically associated with a … [Read more...]
Wideband 24-30 GHz Phased Array Antenna Module Demonstrates Excellent 5G Comms Link
Wideband 24-30 GHz 5G mmWave capabilities are showcased in this demo by establishing an over-the-air (OTA) communication link between two Phased Array Antenna Modules, or PAAMs. Samtec's Jim Alexander walks us through one of several live product demonstrations from IMS 2023. This one is presented with our friends at Otava, Rohde and Schwarz, Taoglas, and Avnet. The modulated 5G FR2 signal is generated using a Rohde & Schwarz SMW200A vector signal generator which is sent to the … [Read more...]
Microwave, mmWave Connector Systems Achieve Excellent Performance
At IMS 2023, Samtec had a booth full of cutting-edge product demonstrations and technologies. One of those featured a variety of microwave, mmWave connector systems which achieved excellent performance. Michael Griesi, RF Design and Simulation Engineering Manager at Samtec, walks us through the demonstrations and the results. A Keysight eight-port 53 GHz USB VNA transmits signals to the four mmWave RF systems. The Keysight device is a M9808A PXIe Vector Network Analyzer (100 kHz to 53 … [Read more...]
New High-Performance 90 GHz Test Solution Enables 224 Gbps PAM4 SerDes Characterization
The demand for bandwidth is pushing the limits of test and measurement to speeds and fidelity not previously possible. Complex systems, such as 5G and 6G networks, high-speed SerDes, automotive radar, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and augmented and virtual reality, require much higher frequencies for evaluation. Even though 112 Gbps PAM4 is just now becoming fully available within the market, 224 Gbps PAM4 SerDes characterization is already knocking at the … [Read more...]
New High-Speed Cable Guide
Who doesn’t love a care package? Open a box from someone you know and find a surprise inside. In college, my aunt used to send me the best sugar cookies – very helpful for enticing friends to study with you. Similar to a care package from someone you know, Samtec just released a new High-Speed Cable Design Guide full of new products, technologies and roadmap items (sorry, no cookies this time). The Guide highlights Samtec’s innovation for next generation architectures – Flyover®, HDR, … [Read more...]